His battalion, Saad bin Abi Waqqas

 

Abu Abdullah Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abi Amer Al-Asbahi Al-Himyari Al-Madani

Imam Malik bin Anas, known as Abu Abdullah, was a prominent Muslim jurist and hadith scholar, revered as the second of the four imams in Sunni Islam. He was the founder of the Maliki school of thought in Islamic jurisprudence, celebrated for his extensive knowledge, exceptional memorization of the Prophet’s hadith, and unwavering adherence to it. His deep intelligence, patience, dignity, and moral rectitude earned him high esteem among his contemporaries. Notably, Imam al-Shafi’i, another renowned scholar, praised him highly, emphasizing Malik’s unparalleled expertise in matters of faith.

Imam Malik’s magnum opus, "Al-Muwatta'," is considered one of the earliest, most renowned, and most authentic compilations of the Prophet’s hadith. Imam Al-Shafi’i, deeply impressed, remarked that after the Quran, nothing surpassed the accuracy of Malik’s "Al-Muwatta'."

Born in the city of Medina in the year 93 AH, Imam Malik grew up in an environment deeply immersed in the study of hadiths, where he memorized the Holy Qur’an early in his life. Subsequently, he dedicated himself to memorizing the sayings of the Prophet and delving into the intricacies of Islamic jurisprudence. Under the guidance of respected scholars like Ibn Hurmuz, Nafi’ Mawla Ibn Umar, and Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri, he honed his skills and expanded his knowledge.

His scholarly journey was marked by humility and a meticulous approach to religious teachings. He spent seven years learning from Ibn Hurmuz, displaying exceptional calmness and dignity in his studies. Imam Malik was highly cautious about the accuracy of his interpretations and often admitted when he was uncertain, stating, “I don’t know.” His guiding principle was to align his opinions with the Quran and the Sunnah; if his views contradicted these, he encouraged people to reject them.

In the year 179 AH, Imam Malik fell ill, enduring his ailment for twenty-two days before passing away. The Emir of Medina, Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Ibrahim, led the funeral prayers, and Imam Malik was laid to rest in Al-Baqi', a revered cemetery in Medina.

Imam Malik’s legacy endures through his profound contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and his unwavering commitment to authentic teachings. His principles and teachings continue to guide scholars and practitioners of Islam, making him a revered figure in the history of Islamic scholarship.

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Imam Malik bin Anas, also known as Abu Abdullah, hailed from a noble lineage deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of Arabian heritage. His full name was Malik bin Anas bin Malik bin Abi Amer Al-Asbahi Al-Himyari. His ancestral lineage can be traced back through several generations, connecting him to esteemed figures of the past.

His mother, Al-Aliya bint Sharik bin Abdul Rahman bin Sharik Al-Azdiyah, belonged to the renowned Qahtani Arab tribe, Al-Azd. This tribe held significant prominence in Arabian history and culture, further enhancing the esteemed lineage of Imam Malik.

Imam Malik's grandfather, Malik bin Abi Amir Al-Asbahi Al-Himyari, was a respected scholar and a senior follower. He had the honor of narrating on the authority of revered figures such as Omar bin Al-Khattab, Othman bin Affan, Talha bin Ubaidullah, Aisha (the Mother of the Believers), Abu Hurairah, Hassan bin Thabit, and Aqeel bin Abi Talib. He was among the four individuals entrusted with the burial of Caliph Othman, a testament to his standing in the community. His contributions were also notable during the time of Caliph Omar bin Abdul Aziz, who sought his counsel.

Imam Malik's great-grandfather, Abu Amer Nafi bin Amr Al-Asbahi Al-Himyari, was believed to be a companion of the Prophet Muhammad, having participated in various battles, except the Battle of Badr. His legacy endured through his son Malik, who eventually became the grandfather of Imam Malik. In different narrations, the circumstances of Abu Amer's presence in Medina after the Prophet's demise were described, highlighting his significant role as a follower and a veteran of the early Islamic community.

Imam Malik himself was blessed with a family, including his children Yahya, Muhammad, Hammad, and Fatima. His descendants carried forward his legacy, contributing to the intellectual and spiritual heritage of Islam.

This detailed lineage underscores the deep historical roots and esteemed heritage of Imam Malik, emphasizing his connections to renowned personalities and the significant impact of his scholarly lineage on the Islamic tradition.

His birth

Imam Malik was born in the city of Medina, during a time when there was some disagreement among scholars about the exact year of his birth. Various opinions were presented, suggesting different years ranging from 90 AH to 98 AH. However, the prevailing consensus among historians and scholars is that Imam Malik was born in the year 93 AH. According to some accounts, Imam Malik himself affirmed his birth year, stating, "I was born in the year ninety-three." He was born in Medina, a city of great significance in Islamic history. Some sources mention that he was born in Dhu al-Marwah, a village situated in Wadi al-Qura between Taima and Khaybar, within the confines of the blessed city of Medina.

His upbringing

Imam Malik's upbringing was deeply rooted in a family dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge, particularly in the fields of hadith and jurisprudence. He was raised in a household where the discussions about Islamic teachings, narrations, and the fatwas of the Companions were common. His grandfather, Malik bin Abi Amer, was a prominent scholar among the Tabi’een, and he narrated on the authority of several Companions, contributing significantly to Malik's early exposure to scholarly knowledge

From a young age, Imam Malik showed a keen interest in memorizing the Quran, a practice common among devout Islamic families. Subsequently, he turned his attention to memorizing hadith. His family encouraged his scholarly pursuits, particularly his mother, who inspired him to attend gatherings of scholars, emphasizing the importance of learning from them.

Under the guidance of scholars like Rabi’ah Al-Ra’i, Imam Malik honed his understanding of jurisprudence. His thirst for knowledge was evident as he meticulously memorized what he learned. Despite challenges and distractions, such as his fondness for raising pigeons, he remained dedicated to his studies. He isolated himself for several years, focusing solely on his education under the tutelage of Ibn Hurmuz. His commitment was so unwavering that he even sold his possessions, including wood from his home, to fund his pursuit of knowledge.

During this period, he not only memorized hadith but also engaged with various scholars, including Nafi’, Ibn Umar’s client, and Rabia’a Al-Ra’i. His respect for Prophetic hadiths was profound; he received them with great calmness and stability, avoiding any distractions that might cause him to miss any of their teachings.

Imam Malik's upbringing and early education in Medina, a hub of knowledge during his time, laid the foundation for his future contributions to Islamic jurisprudence and hadith scholarship. His dedication 

       and reverence for knowledge made him one of the most respected scholars in the history of Islam

His work and source of livelihood

Imam Malik's sources of livelihood were not extensively documented, but scattered reports provide insight into his financial situation. It is likely that he engaged in trade, as indicated by his student Ibn al-Qasim, who mentioned that Malik traded with the four hundred dinars he possessed, sustaining himself through commerce. Additionally, Imam Malik accepted gifts from caliphs and rulers, a practice he considered permissible. When questioned about receiving gifts from the sultans, he differentiated between accepting from caliphs and those below them. He expressed that there was no issue in accepting from caliphs, suggesting that it was acceptable due to their high office. One notable instance was when Caliph Harun al-Rashid offered him three thousand dinars. Malik agreed to accept the gift, stating that if the ruler was just and treated people of honor fairly, there was no harm in receiving it. This attitude reflected his belief that it was appropriate to accept gifts from noble and just leaders.