The Differences of the Imams

The author: Shaykh Al-Hadith Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi

If the Imams of the four schools (madhtihib) established all of their rulings from the Qur'an and the Sunna, why have they differed on so many points? How can two authentic narations from the Messenger of Allah appeal' to contradict one another? When is it acceptable for Muslims to differ over religious matter's? What did the Messenger mean when he said, "The differences of my Umma are a source of mercy?"

Using examples from the Messenger of Allah, his Companions, and tbeir Followers The Differences of the Imams answers these puzzling questions in a thorough and concise manner. In a clear and lucid style, the autbor illustrates the various ways in which different narations seem to contradict one another and how the Companions and the Imams of jurisprudence have reconciled these apparent differences. This work is an excellent resource for anyone seeking to better understand some of the deeper issues of hadith and jurisprudence: how these two disciplines came together to found the basis of Islamic law [Shari'ah], why it is necessary to follow a school of Islamic law, and what the basic princip less af hadith schalarship are.