Al-Muwatta

Author: Imam Anas ibn Malik

As narrated by Al-Laythi

Al-Muwatta, Imam Malik's book, was the best, most beneficial, and most influential of all books written until that time. Caliph Abu Ja'far al-Mansur (d. 158 AH) approached Imam Malik during the Hajj season, requesting him to author a book on jurisprudence that would gather scattered knowledge and organize writings according to scientific standards he set for him, saying: "O Abu Abdullah, compile jurisprudence and write books from it. Avoid the strict interpretations of Abdullah ibn Omar, the lenient views of Abdullah ibn Abbas, and the uncommon opinions of Abdullah ibn Mas'ud. Aim for the moderate matters, and what the imams and companions have agreed upon, so that, God willing, you may guide the people to your work and your books. We shall disseminate them throughout the lands and instruct them not to contradict them." Al-Mansur requested Imam Malik to unite the people upon his book, but he did not agree to that, which showed his complete knowledge and fairness. He said: "Indeed, people have collected and come across things that we have not." (From the science of Hadith by Al-Hafiz Ibn Kathir)