Al-Mouwatta "Malik ibn Anas"

The Book Al-Muwatta

Al-Muwatta is recognized as the first compilation of hadith organized by chapters. The term "Al-Muwatta" translates to "that which is made easy." Authored by Imam Malik, this work stands out not only as a pioneering collection of hadith but also as a significant contribution to Islamic jurisprudence. Remarkably, it integrates the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) sayings with legal rulings within a single volume. Imam Malik dedicated forty years to composing this book, which contains numerous chains of transmission that scholars, known as muhadith, have deemed among the most authentic available.

Ach-Chafi’i remarked on Al-Muwatta: “There has not appeared on earth a book after the Book of Allah – the Qur’an – more authentic than the book of Malik.” During his time, it was said: “Do the people issue legal opinions while Malik is in Medina!”

Biography and Genealogy

Imam Malik, often referred to as Abou ‘Abdi l-Lah (the father of Abdou l-Lah), was born Malik ibn Anas ibn Abou ‘Amir Anas ibn Al-Harith ibn Ghayman Al-Asbahi Al-Madani. His lineage connects back to Ya’rab ibn Yachjab ibn Qahtan. He was esteemed among the senior successors of the companions of the Prophet and participated in the burial of ‘Othman Ibn ‘Affan, may Allah be pleased with him, as noted by Al-Qouchayri.

His paternal grandfather, Abou Malik, was alongside the Prophet (peace be upon him) in various battles except for Badr. His mother was Al-‘Aliyah bint Sharik ibn ‘Abdou r-Rahman Al-Asdiyah. Imam Malik fathered three sons: Yahya, Mouhammad, and Hammad. He is recognized as the founder of one of the four preserved and renowned schools of jurisprudence among Muslims.

Born in Medina in 95 AH (After Hijra), Imam Malik displayed a strong commitment to learning and transmitting knowledge from an early age. He diligently pursued knowledge from numerous successors of the companions—counted in the hundreds—including notable figures such as Nafi’, a freed slave of the son of ‘Omar; Ibn Shihab Az-Zuhri; Aba z-Zinad; and ‘A’isha, daughter of Sa’d Ibn Abi Waqqas, among others.

Imam Malik became known as the Imam of Medina, with his teachings spreading far beyond his locality. Scholars traveled from various regions to seek his knowledge. He began teaching at the age of seventeen and continued issuing legal opinions while imparting knowledge to others throughout his life. His teachings were transmitted by many prominent figures including Muhammad Ibn Shihab Az-Zuhri; Rabi’ah Ibn Abi ‘Abdi r-Rahman, a leading jurist in Medina; Yahya Ibn Sa’id Al-Ansari; Musa Ibn ‘Uqbah; among others. Qadi ‘Iyad documented over one thousand three hundred names of those who narrated from Imam Malik, demonstrating his far-reaching influence. Notable students included Sufyan Ath-Thawri, Imam Muhammad Ibn Idris Ash-Shafi’i, and ‘Abdou l-Lah Ibnou l-Moubarak.