This paper focuses on the legal thought of Imam Malik bin Anas through a social historical approach. This study represents a relatively new area in Islamic legal scholarship, and therefore, it has garnered limited attention from academics. Imam Malik is one of the four imams of the Sunni schools of thought, known as ahlu hadits. Throughout his life, he never left the city of Madinah except for the pilgrimage to Mecca. His residence in Madinah, the place where the Prophet lived, greatly supported his ability to address various legal issues, most of which could be resolved through hadith. The environment of Madinah, characterized by relatively simple social problems, also influenced Imam Malik's approach. Although he is recognized as ahlu hadits, he was nonetheless affected by the use of reason in ijtihad due to the social conditions of his time. This is evidenced by his application of principles such as the practices of the people of Madinah (Amal ahli Madinah), the fatwas of the companions (sahabat), qiyas (analogical reasoning), al-maslahah mursalah (public interest), az-zari'ah (preventive measures), and al-'urf (custom) in deriving Islamic law. Like other schools of thought, Imam Malik regarded the Qur'an and hadith as primary sources in legal decision-making.