Abu Hanifa
150هـ
Iraq, Turkey, India, Pakistan
Wide use of analogy and juristic opinion; the fiqh of Iraq.
The four schools of fiqh
Four imams, four methodologies — and their differences are mercy.
Malik ibn Anas
179هـ
North Africa, West Africa
The practice of Madinah's people as proof; the fiqh of the Hijaz.
Al-Shafi'i
204هـ
Egypt, Levant, Yemen, Southeast Asia
Founder of usul al-fiqh; combining hadith and opinion.
Ahmad ibn Hanbal
241هـ
Arabian Peninsula
Strict adherence to hadith and transmitted reports.