A madhab (plural: madhahib) is a school of Islamic legal thought that provides a systematic framework for deriving rulings from the Quran and Sunnah. The four major Sunni madhabs — Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali — were established by their respective founding scholars and developed by generations of jurists over centuries.
Each madhab shares the same foundational sources (Quran and Sunnah) but may differ in methodology for deriving specific rulings. These differences are most apparent in areas where the primary texts allow for multiple interpretations. In the context of Zakat, madhab differences affect the treatment of personal jewelry, the application of debt deductions, and specific thresholds for agricultural produce.
In Shia Islam, the Ja'fari school (also known as Twelver or Ithna Ashari) is the predominant school of jurisprudence. It has its own distinct methodology and rulings, including the Khums obligation, which is not found in the same form in Sunni schools. Mizaan supports all five major schools to ensure accurate calculations for all Muslims.