The word · History

مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِدْرِيسَ الشَّافِعِيّ

Imam ash-Shafi'i

The imam who wrote the first book on how law is derived, bridging Madinah and Iraq.

Also written · Imam Shafii · Imam Shafi'i · Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafii · Ash-Shafii · Imam Shafie · Imam Safii · Imam-i Safii · Shafi'i · Imam Shafee · Muhammad ibn Idris · Imam Syafii

The meaning

What Imam ash-Shafi'i means in Islam

Born in Gaza in 150 and died in Egypt in 204, of the Prophet's wider clan. He memorised the Muwatta and studied with Malik in Madinah, then with Abu Hanifah's student ash-Shaybani in Iraq, and so held both approaches in one head. His Risalah set out the sources of law in order and is the foundation of usul al-fiqh as a discipline. He revised his own positions after moving to Egypt, which is why the school records an old and a new opinion on some questions.

Evidence · Editorial · Our own summary, drawn from the sources named