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.

CD1 An Introduction and Historical Context The Umayyad and the Abbasid Periods Islamic Groups and Trends The Muslim City: Kufa, Baghdad and Madina CD2 Imam Abu Hanifah: the Person His household His mother Kufa His turning point Characteristics: Self Control, Brave, Organised and Devout. CD3 Imam Abu Hanifah: Teachers and Students His teacher: Hammad and Etiquettes of Respect His students: Abu Yusuf and Al-Shaibani The Etiquettes of Love and Care for Sacred Knowledge CD4 Imam Abu Hanifah: Society A Loving Heart An Honest Merchant CD5 Imam Malik: The Person His Household His Turning Point Veneration of the Sunnah CD6 Imam Malik: Teachers and Students His Teachers: Al-Ra'i: Elegance Hormoz: I Don't Know! Nafi': Patience Zuhari: Dedication Al-Sadiq and al-Minkadir: Piety His Students Al-Qasim: Independence Ibn Wahab: Focus CD7 Imam Malik: Society Attitude toward the Rulers Respect for Scholars and Scholarship Imprisonment and Torture CD8 Imam Shafi'i: The Person A Noble Orphan A Patient Mother His Turning Point His Meeting with Imam Malik A Man of Insight CD9 Imam Shafi'i: Teachers and Students Teachers from Mecca, Baghdad and Egypt His Love and Care for Students His Illness and Death CD10 Imam Shafi'i: The Society A Man of the People Generous A Man Possessing a Sense of Humour CD11 Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Person An Orphan Who Loves His Mother As a Teenager His Sons A Man of Independence and Self Control CD12 Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Ordeal The Creation of the Quran Arrest and Torture Death CD13 Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal: The Society His Love for the People His Love for the Poor Social Manners Political Attitudes