Imam Shaafi (150A.H.-204A.H)

 

Imam Shafe'i (150 A.H.-204 A.H.):

Introduction:

Being raised by a poor family in Palestine did not prevent this great Imam in following his thirst for wisdom. At a very young age, his father had died and his mother took him to Makkah in order to learn from the scholars who resided there. He memorised the Quran and many ahadith as well. One great trait about Imam Shafe'i is his mastering of the Arabic language. His books

reveal how well he understood this dialect.

He was a student of ibn Anas as well until the latter's death in 178 A.H. His knowledge was know vast due to his travels to many places.

 This was in order for him to understand the different ledge people and situations of their communities. When he had accepted a justice post in Yemen, he confronted many people doing injustices and Imam Shafe'i was not lenient towards them. He did ed Man not accept bribery nor did he accept flattery from the Yemenites.

the ru The test came when the Abbasids were continually stopping the Alawite revolts. The unjust Madina Yemeni governor thought that Imam Shafe'i had involvement with the Alawites and he sent Anas g word to the caliph, Harun al-Rasheed. When Imam Shafe'i and nine Alawites were sent to the caliph, only the Imam was saved. The great knowledge that he possessed saved him from death.

 

Imam Shafe'i passed this test. Although he had a hard time in Baghdad, Imam Shafe'i stayed in the city and studied its figh under Abu Hanifa's student Ash-Shaybani.

At this point, this Imam had knowledge of figh from two area: Hijaz and Iraq. His figh is considered unique in that it is a collection of figh from the two areas with his great understanding of Arabic, analogy and opinions. Indeed in Makkah, he met with Ahmad ibn Hanbal. He later returned to Baghdad where he started to write the Risala; fundamental principle of figh.

However, his stay was short as soon as al-Mamun came into power. Imam Shafe'i did not like the new Persian power that rose from this caliph's reign. He especially detested the Mu'tazilites gain of power. As Imam Shafe'i saw that these rebels had control, he left to Egypt in which he completed the Risala. He died in 204 A.H. in Fustat. After his death, his students carried on his tradition of fiqh by writing Kitab al-Umm.