Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu is a prominent name in Islamic history. He was not only a great scholar of faith but also a jurist  after whom was founded one of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence: The Maliki school.
He was 13 years younger  to Imam Abu Hanifa raziaalahtalla anhu and 103 years elder to Imam Bukhari raziaalahtalla anhu.
His full name was Abu Abdullah Malik bin Anas ibn Malik ibn Abi Amir ibn Amar Ibnul Hearth.
He was born the son of Anas ibn Malik ( Who is not the sahabi with the same name) and  Aaliyyah bint Surayk  al - Azdiyya (mot

Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu is a prominent name in Islamic history. He was not only a great scholar of faith but also a jurist  after whom was founded one of the four schools of Islamic jurisprudence: The Maliki school.
He was 13 years younger  to Imam Abu Hanifa raziaalahtalla anhu and 103 years elder to Imam Bukhari raziaalahtalla anhu.
His full name was Abu Abdullah Malik bin Anas ibn Malik ibn Abi Amir ibn Amar Ibnul Hearth.
He was born the son of Anas ibn Malik ( Who is not the sahabi with the same name) and  Aaliyyah bint Surayk  al - Azdiyya (mother) in Madina munnawara  shareef. Born:93H. Departed from this world:179H (aged 83 -84years ).
There is a difference in his year of birth 90H,93H,94H,95H and even 98H is quoted by historians but majority agreement is 93H.Reference :(book:Malik hyata wo asra).
Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu was born in a family where everybody was a learner of hadith. As per then Islamic customs he completed hifz and then started hifz hadith.
Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu would grow up to be a tall handsome solidly built man. He had large eyes and a very fair complexion. He took meticulous care with his clothing and was always well dressed in public.
Basher  ibn al harith  said: "Once I visited Malik raziaalahtalla anhu and saw him wearing a fine robe that must have cost 500 derhams  at least Its collars came to eye level and it had the appearance of what a king might wear.
He wore his turban so that part of it would drape under his chin and its two ends would rest upon his shoulders.
He did not shave his moustache off.
When he prepared to give a lesson on the Prophet sallalahualaihwasalam's hadith he would first perform ritual ablutions as if for prayer then he would put on his best clothes and cap and comb his beard. If anyone criticized him for this behavior he would say "The dignity of the Prophet sallalahualaihwasalam's hadith demands it".
Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu's shaiks, (teachers):
In Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu's teachers list Hazrat shaik Abd - ar - Rahman   ibn Harmaz was at top. He learned from him alone for more than 7 years. (2) Hazrat  moula Abdullah  bin Omer rahmatuaAllah alaih.(3) Hazrat ibn Shaab zahri rahmatuallhtaalaalaih.(4) Hazrat Abu zanaad  rahmatuaAllah tala alaih.(5) Hazrat Rabiyah Alraye rahmatuAllah tala alaih.
The most famous book Al Moutta  of Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu: Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu started Almoutta  on request from king Mansoor  al abbasi ( 136H). And finished it in 40 years in king Mahdi al abbasi's tenure (169H).Al-Moutta is the ultimate book for Maliki  school theology.
Hazrat Imam Malik raziaalahtalla anhu 's deciples (talamaza):
(1) Hazrat Imam Abdullah bin Wahb rahmatuaa alaih (Born:124H departed from this world 197H)
(2) Hazrat Imam Abdur Rahman bin Alqasim rahmatuAllah tala alaih(Born 128H departed from this world:191H)
(3) Hazrat Imam Alshab bin Abdul Aziz alqaisi aamiri rahmatualah tala alaih(Born 140H departed from this world 204H)
(4) Hazrat Imam Asad bin Faraat bin Sannan rahmatuallah taala alaih Hazrat(Born 140H)
(5) Hazrat Imam Abdul Almalik bin Majasoon rahmatuallah tala alaih
The biggest challenge Hazrat Imam faced  is the outburst of different sects in Islam in Abbasi sultanate  the various sects of that time which Hazrat Imam faced and defended are:(1) Shiyaties: this is the oldest sect in Islam they believe that Hazrat Ali raziallah talla anhu was the most deserving of khilafat e rashida and crossed the limits in love for him.
(2) Sabiya : These are the followers of Abdullah bin saba  they  believe that Hazrat Ali raziallah talla anhu was having siffat  uluhiyat (Powers of Allah) mouzallah.
(3) Ghraabiya: These people of the opinion that nabuat ( Prophethood) was given to Hazrat Ali raziallah talla anhu by Allah but by mistake Hazrat jibraeel alaihsalam went to Hazrat Muhammad sallalahualaihwasalam ( mouz Allah)
(4) Kharjiis: These are those who believe that there is no hukum (order) accept Allah  and responsible for shadat  of Khulafai Rashideen  Hazrat Osman raziallah talla anhu & Hazrat Ali raziallah talla anhu.
(5) Masla  e khalq e quraan : this matter was a storm in Ummat at that time Hazrat Imam  faced it very tactfully  he kept himself at a distance from it.
Finally it is clear that Hazrat Imam Malik raziallah talla anhu faced a lot of turbulent times hence his theology reflects a little of that hardness that was the need of that time.
May Allah Subhana Talla shower his grave with blessings.
Thanks for reading.