The four main schools of Sunni Islam are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. Each school offers different interpretations of Islamic law, or Sharia, based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad and the consensus of scholars. The Hanafi school is known for its flexibility and reasoning, while the Maliki school emphasizes the practices of the people of Medina. The Shafi'i school focuses on the importance of hadith (sayings of the Prophet) and systematic legal reasoning. In contrast, the Hanbali school is the most conservative, relying heavily on the Quran and hadith, with less emphasis on personal reasoning. Each school contributes to the rich diversity within Sunni Islam.