MCQ Detailed View

Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi‘i (R.A), famously known as Imam Shafi, was born in 150 AH (767 CE) in the city of Gaza, Palestine. He is regarded as one of the greatest Islamic jurists and the founder of the Shafi‘i school of Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh), one of the four major Sunni schools.

Interestingly, the year 150 AH also marks the year of the passing of another great scholar, Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A), the founder of the Hanafi school of thought. This coincidence is often highlighted in Islamic history, showing how Allah (SWT) continued the chain of scholarship by bringing forth new scholars to guide the Ummah.

Imam Shafi (R.A) spent his early years in Makkah, where he memorized the Holy Qur’an at a young age. He also memorized Imam Malik’s book Al-Muwatta and studied directly under him in Madinah. His deep knowledge, sharp memory, and eloquence earned him great respect among scholars.

He developed a balanced approach to jurisprudence by combining the traditionalist reliance on Hadith (like Imam Malik) with the rationalist methodology of analogy and reasoning (used by Imam Abu Hanifa). His principles of Usul al-Fiqh (the foundations of Islamic law) became a cornerstone for Islamic legal theory.

Key Facts:

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  Imam Shafi (R.A) was born in 150 AH / 767 CE in Gaza, Palestine.

  
  


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  Founder of the Shafi‘i school of Islamic jurisprudence.

  
  


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  Memorized the Qur’an and Al-Muwatta of Imam Malik at an early age.

  
  


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  Student of Imam Malik (R.A) and influenced by multiple scholars.

  
  


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  Known for establishing Usul al-Fiqh (principles of jurisprudence).

  
  


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  Coincidence: Born the same year Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A) passed away.