A madhhab is a school of thought within Islam that provides guidelines for interpreting religious texts and applying Islamic law, or Sharia. There are four major Sunni madhhabs: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali. Each madhhab has its own methodologies and principles for deriving legal rulings, reflecting diverse cultural and historical contexts. In addition to the Sunni madhhabs, there are also Shia schools of thought, such as the Ja'fari madhhab. These schools help Muslims navigate religious practices, ethics, and legal matters, allowing for a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices within the broader Islamic community.