MCQ Detailed View

Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi (RA), the founder of the Shafi'i school of Islamic jurisprudence, was renowned for his extraordinary intelligence, sharp memory, and deep understanding of Islamic law from a very young age. He is reported to have taken the office of "Religious Judgment" (Fatwa) at the age of 15 years after being recognized by senior scholars for his knowledge and mastery of the Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh, and Arabic language.

Born in 150 AH (767 CE) in Gaza, Palestine, Imam Shafi memorized the entire Qur’an by age 7, learned Imam Malik's Muwatta by age 10, and studied extensively under great scholars of Makkah, Madinah, Yemen, and Iraq. By the age of 15, his deep understanding of Shariah rulings and Islamic legal principles was so advanced that he was granted permission to issue Fatwas, a responsibility usually given to senior scholars.

This achievement demonstrates not only his God-gifted intelligence and dedication to knowledge but also the strong educational environment of early Islamic scholarship, where students learned directly from the leading scholars of their time. Imam Shafi later became one of the four great Imams of Fiqh, establishing principles of Usul al-Fiqh (Foundations of Islamic Jurisprudence) that remain highly influential in the Muslim world.

Key Facts:

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  Name: Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi (RA).

  
  


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  Age of appointment: 15 years old.

  
  


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  Known for: Founding the Shafi'i school of Fiqh.

  
  


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  Memorized Qur’an: By age 7.

  
  


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  Memorized Muwatta of Imam Malik: By age 10.

  
  


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  Permission for Fatwa: Granted due to exceptional scholarship and reasoning skills.

  
  


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  Contribution: Established Usul al-Fiqh, combining Hadith and rational evidence in Islamic law.