The Four Great Imams - Abu Hanifah,
Malik, Shafi'i and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, have been traditionally presented
as the founders of Islamic Jurisprudence or Fiqh.
This series seeks to introduce a new
dimension to the way their lives are viewed today, by focusing on their
character, and their personal interaction with their families,
teachers, students, and society at large. It aims to re-emphasise their
strong relevance to a wider Muslim audience who might possess interests
beyond the sphere of Fiqh.
This series reflects on the various
stages of the lives of the Four Great Imams, as teenagers, students,
teachers, fathers, and active members in their communities, and as
contemporary 'role models', particularly to the young generation
Muslims living in the West.
The series also offers a fascinating
insight into the golden era of Islamic history, with prime attention
given to the factors and institutions that led to the emergence and
development of the Four Great Imams.
Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi was born in Kuwait and educated in the United Kingdom. He completed his BA, MA, MPhil and PhD. in the field of Middle Eastern Politics and History, in various British universities including the University of Cambridge. He also has a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the Institute of Islamic Studies, Cairo. He is an author of numerous books and is a lecturer of Middle Eastern History at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, UK.