Sunni
From WikiIslam
Sunni Islam or Sunnism is the largest branch of Islam. It is also referred to as 'Orthodox Islam'. The word "Sunni" comes from the term sunna, meaning the words and actions or example of Muhammad. Sunnis account for over 75% of all Muslims[1]. Sunnis consider Sahih Muslim and Sahih Bukhari as the two most authentic hadiths, hence the term sahih which means authentic in Arabic.
Sunni is a broad term derived from sunnah (سنة, plural سنن sunan ), which is an Arabic word that means "habit" or "usual practice". Because of the looseness of this term, there may be sects considered as Sunni, yet are believed to have departed from the majority by introducing bidah (innovations) and extreme political views which are divorced from Islam.
A distinguished feature with Sunnis are inner movements called madhabs of which there are now four mainstream and accepted by one another.
The founders of Islamic jurisprudence by date of birth;
- The Hanafi madhab. It was founded by Imam abu Hanifah who is the oldest.
- The Maliki madhab. Founded by Imam Malik.
- The Shafi'i madhab. Founded by imam Shafi'i.
- The Hanbali madhab. Founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal who is the youngest.
