Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Wa'laykum-as-Salaam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakaatuhu.
First of all it must be understood that those people of the Ahl as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, who follow the opinion of Imam Malik Radi Allahu anhu, are known as the Malikis.
Upon the issues of fiqh, there were two main schools of thought; the ahl al-Hijaaz (people of Hijaz), who would follow the view of Imam Malik Radi Allahu anhu, and the ahl-al-Iraq, who would follow the opinions of Imam Abu Hanifah Radi Allahu anhu.
When the Sha'fi'is came into existence by creating their school of thought, and calling it the Shafi'i school of thought, the followers of Imam Malik Radi Allahu anhu, and Abu Hanifah Radi Allahu anhu, began calling themselves Malikis and Hanafis.
The Maliki school of thought spread rapidly throughout the western territories of Islam, namely Tunisia, Algeria, Morrocco, Spain, and its other areas, including Africa and parts of Egypt, in which Isma'il bin Ishaaq, and 'Abdul Malik bin Habib played a crucial role in its spread.
Although there isnt just one or two issues that differentiate or distinguish between the Hanafi, and the Maliki school of thought, nevertheless we will discuss some of the issues and opinions that differentiate there way of practice, in salaah.
According to the Malikis and the Hanbalis, the muqtadi is required to pray Surah al-Fatihah, and another surah, behind the Imam, in a congregational prayer which is 'sirri'. By 'sirri', we mean that congregational prayer in which the Imam does not read aloud, for example Zuhar, and 'Asr prayer.
Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Abu Yusuf and Muhammad, are all of the opinion that:
"It is forbidden for the Muqtadis to recite any portion of the Noble Qur'an, be it Surah al-Fatihah or any other verse, behind the Imam in both 'sirri', and 'jahri' prayers."This is one difference in the Hanafi, and Maliki school of thought...
Another difference of opinion which is in the 'qiyyam' position, where should the hands be placed?
Then according to Imam Malik Radi Allahu anhu, and related by ibnul Qasim, the most popular view is that the hands be left hanging at the sides in the position of 'qiyam', in salaah. However Imam Abu Hanifah, Shafi'i, and Ahmad (May Allah be pleased with them) are of the view that the hands should be tied, and held on the body instead.
I have related just but two issues and a little bit about the history of the emergence and the difference between the Hanafi and the Maliki Schools of thought.
What is important, is that you must not go to study the Maliki Fiqh simply because you want to be Maliki, when in reality you are a Hanafi. The same is said about other schools of thought. Scholars ('ulama') of the Ahl as-Sunnah wal Jamaa'ah, prevent the majority of Muslims, from switching from one school of thought to another. It is like being in one family and having one father, how can you switch having a different father! It simply doesnt make sense. There are however people these days, who take madhhabs like a pinch of salt. They are the ones who need educating as they have no knowledge of the personalities of Islam (the Imams), and nor of their devotees. Once you are a Maliki, you should only stay Maliki, and once you are a Hanafi, you should stay Hanafi. If someone prays salaah according to the Maliki way, and you like that method because it catches your attention, this should not be a means for you to change your Madhhab for another one. This means that you are weak, and that you have no regard for your own Imam.
However, if your motive is purely for the sake of Allah the Almighty, then it is an excellence to go and seek knowledge about the great personalities of Islam.
May Allah guide all on the Straight Path, (amin).M. Waseem Ashrafi
