بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
الرَّحْمَـٰنِ
الرَّحِيمِ
الْمَلِكِ
الْقُدُّوسِ
السَّلَامِ
1446 - ذُو الْحِجَّة
الْمُؤْمِنِ
الْمُهَيْمِنِ
الْعَزِيزِ
الْجَبَّارُ
الْمُتَكَبِّرُ
L
O
A
D
I
N
G
Dhuhr
02:00 PM
Asr
07:00 PM
Maghrib
09:00 PM
Isha
10:45 PM
Jumu'ah
02:00 PM
Imam Al-Shafi'I
الإمام الشافعي
Text Size:
Imam Al-Shafi'i (767–820 CE) was the founder of the Shafi'i school of law and is often called the "Architect of Islamic Jurisprudence." He was a student of Imam Malik and a teacher to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. His greatest contribution was his book Al-Risala, where he established the "Usul" (foundations) of law, defining the hierarchy of the four sources: Quran, Sunnah, Ijma, and Qiyas. He famously synthesized the "School of Reason" from Iraq and the "School of Tradition" from Medina, creating a balanced and rigorous legal methodology that spread across East Africa and Southeast Asia. Imam al-Shafi'i was born in Gaza in 150 AH (767 CE). He grew up in Mecca and studied under Muslim ibn Khalid al-Zanji, the Mufti of Mecca. He traveled to Medina to study with Imam Malik and later to Iraq, where he studied with the students of Imam Abu Hanifa. His synthesis of the two schools created a balanced methodology. His book, Al-Risala (The Message), established the principles of jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh). He defined the four sources: Quran, Sunnah, ijma' (consensus), and qiyas (analogy). He emphasized the authority of the Sunnah and developed rules for interpreting it. He also established that the Sunnah explains the Quran and that it cannot contradict it. He emphasized that ijma' (consensus) is a source of law and that qiyas (analogy) is valid when there is no direct text. He was also a poet and linguist, known for his eloquence. He traveled to Egypt, where his school developed further. He died in Egypt in 204 AH (820 CE). For believers, Imam al-Shafi'i is a model of scholarship, eloquence, and methodological rigor. His school provides a balanced, systematic approach to Islamic law. The believer respects his contributions, learns from his methodology, and follows the Shafi'i school with confidence.
Viewed 236 times
Browse Dictionary
Join Our Mission to Preserve Islamic Knowledge
"The best of you are those who learn the Quran and teach it."
- Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Missing Terms
Is there an Islamic term you'd like to see explained? Share it with us and help others learn.
Report Issues
If you notice any inaccuracies or areas for improvement, please let us know so we can correct them.
Source References
Have authentic references or additional information for existing terms? We welcome contributions.
Arabic Corrections
Help us ensure Arabic spellings and diacritical marks are accurate.
Together, we can build the most comprehensive and accurate Islamic dictionary online.
Submit Your FeedbackEid Ul Adha Updates
Donate Now !
Registered Charity
