Konstruksi Metodologi Fiqh al-Bukh?r? dan Kegagalan Pembentukan Mazhab

The popularity of al-Bukh?r? as the expert of h}ad?th is indisputable; he reached his top figure; his name becomes a guarantee of his h}ad?th validity; besides, he is also well-known as the expert of Islamic law (faq?h). However, his expertise in Islamic law is often disregarded. In fact, the authority of al-Bukh?r? in Islamic law reaches its peak as an absolute mujtahid (mujtahid mut}}laq). This phenomenon raised some questions. Firstly, is al-Bukh?r? affiliated with one of the established Sunn? madhhabs? When a mujtahid has reached his absolute rank, he needs of his own fiqh methodology construct-ion, other than following another methodology. Secondly, does al-Bukh?r? have his own methodology? Frankly, an absolute mujtahid has an opportunity to establish his own madhhab ordained to his name. Thirdly, why is al-Bukh?r?’s madhhab unpopular among Sunn? maddhabs? This article found that al-Bukh?r? is not affiliated to certain madhhabs, then explored the methodology formation as well as other factors underlying the failure of formation of al-Bukh?r?’s madhhab.