Sunni ulama usually work within a tradition (madhhab) that starts with one of five classic jurists.
- Shafi'i (most common in Indonesia, Malaysia, Jordan, Palestine and Egypt)
- Hanafi (most common in Turkey, the Balkans, Central Asia, Indian subcontinent, Egypt)
- Maliki (most common in North Africa, West Africa,)
- Hanbali (most common in Saudi Arabia and several of the Persian Gulf states)
- Zahiri (rare)
Some ulama are not associated with any school. They believe that it is necessary to derive rulings directly from the Qur'an and the Hadith.
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