Islamic schools and branches |This article is part of a series
on:| This article summarizes the different branches in Islam.
Geographer and historian Al-Muqaddasi once satirically described
the adherents of these schools as possessing contrasting
personal qualities: Hanafites, conscious of being hired in
official positions, appeared deft, well-informed, devout and
prudent; the Malikite dull, obtuse and confining himself to
observance of Muslim prophetic tradition; the Shafi'ite shrewd,
impatient, understanding and quick-tempered; the Zahirite
haughty, irritable, loquacious and well-to-do; the Mu'tazilite
elegant, erudite, free-thinking and ironic; the Shi'ite
entrenched in his old rancor, intractable and enjoys riches and
fame; the Hanbalite anxious to practice what he preaches,
charitable and inspiring; the Karamite pious, partisan,
avicarous and predatory; the litterateur frivolous, vain, clever
and pompous; and the reciter of the Qur'an greedy, vanglorious,
hypocritical and -effeminate. While such descript