Early Life and Background
Imam al-Shafi‘i, whose full name was Muhammad ibn Idris ibn al-‘Abbas ibn Uthman ibn Shafi‘, was born in Gaza, Palestine, in the year 150 AH (767 CE)—the same year in which Imam Abu Hanifa passed away. He descended from the noble Quraysh tribe and traced his lineage back to Abd Manaf, the great-grandfather of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Following the early death of his father, Imam al-Shafi‘i was raised by his mother in Mecca, where he began his initial studies. Despite facing financial difficulties, his mother remained committed to his education. Her efforts bore fruit early on—he memorized the Qur'an by the age of seven and Imam Malik’s Muwatta by the age of ten, showcasing a remarkable intellect from a young age.
Pursuit of Knowledge and Major Teachers
Imam al-Shafi‘i undertook extensive journeys in his quest for knowledge, learning from some of the most distinguished scholars of his era. Among his most influential teachers were:
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Imam Malik ibn Anas – The founder of the Maliki school of jurisprudence. Imam al-Shafi‘i studied under him in Medina, mastering Al-Muwatta and gaining a deep understanding of Hadith and legal rulings directly from the source.
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Muhammad ibn al-Hasan al-Shaybani – A leading student of Imam Abu Hanifa. In Iraq, al-Shafi‘i learned the principles of Hanafi jurisprudence under his guidance, which introduced him to the use of analogical reasoning (qiyas) and independent legal judgment (ijtihad).
By engaging deeply with both the Maliki and Hanafi legal traditions, Imam al-Shafi‘i developed a harmonized and structured approach to Islamic jurisprudence. This blend of textual fidelity and reasoned methodology laid the foundation for the distinct Shafi‘i school of thought.
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