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Imaam Muhammad Ibn Idriss Al Shafi'Ee
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Idriss Al Shafi'Ee
Imaam Muhammad Ibn Idriss Al Shafi'Ee
6. Muhammad bin Hasan al-Shaibaani (a scholar of Busrah, and distinguished student of the Great Imaam Abu Hanifah (RA) 7. Hammaad bin Usama al-Haashimi al-Kofi 8. Abdul-Wahhab bin Abdul-Majeed al-Busri His Marriage: He married Hameedah bint Nafi bin Unaisah bin Amr ibn Usman bin Affan. Some Distinctive Characteristics: 1. His eloquent style of speech and abundant knowledge of the Arabic language 2. His Family Lineage-as a set standard reported by al-Hakam bin Abdil-Muttalib that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, Indeed Banu Haashim and Banu al-Muttalib are the same (ie. of the same family lineage). (Ibn Majah, 22, Kitaabul-Wasaaya/46 Chapter Division of Khumus/ Hadith No. 2329 3. Complete memorization of the Quran with recognition of its rules and its implications in all aspects of Islamic Knowledge of which others during his time did not yet reach to 4. His deep foresight in Hadith and comprehension of authentic and defective narrations 5. His understanding in the principles of Hadith and Fiqh 6. His rulings in Hadith Mursal (incompletely transmitted narrations) and completely transmitted narrations. 7. Imaam Ahmed bin Hanbal used to say about Imaam Shafiee, Our napes were in the hands of the Companions of Abu Hanifah (RA) when it came to hadith (ie. we were inclined to them more) until we saw Imaam Shafiee, he was the most knowledgeable in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that he would even suffice one who was not well informed in Hadith. 8. Al-Karaabeesi says about the Imaam, Al-Shafiee was a mercy from Allah upon the followers of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam). 9. Al-Humaidee says, We used to want to refute the arguments of the Ashab-ul-Raiy, but we were not well informed to do so until Imaam Shafiee came along and opened up the way for us. 10. Ibn Raahway was asked, How did Imaam Shafiee compose all these books at such a young age? He replied, Allah SWT made him intelligent and mature minded in just his youth. 11. Rabi says, We were just sitting awhile in the Knowledge Circle of Imaam Shafiee after the Great Imaams demise when a Bedouin Arab came along and said asked about where is the sun and moon of this circle. When we told him that he had passed away he started weeping heavily, and then said may Allah have mercy upon him and forgive him for verily he was one who opened up the veils of proofs through his explanations and closed the mouths of his disputer and opponent. He used to wash the blackened faces of their shame and disgrace and opened the closed doors with intellect and understanding. Then he turned away and left.
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His Humbleness: Al-Hasan bin Abdul-Aziz al-Jarwi al-Misri reported form Imaam Shafiee used to say, I have never debated with someone who I want to make a mistake, nor do I possess any knowledge that I want to keep to myself, rather that it should be with all and not just related to me. He also said, I have never debated with someone who I want to make a mistake. And I have never debated someone except I say to them, O Allah, put the truth in his heart and on his tongue. If I am on the truth he will follow me, and if he is on the truth then I will follow him. A Scholar of Quraish: Imaam Ahmed bin Hanbal is reported to have said, When I am questioned about some matter that I do not know of I say to myself Imaam Shafiee knows about this and he will have some say in it, because he is an Alim (Scholar) of Quraish. And the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, An Alim of Quraish fills the earth with knowledge. (alManaaqib, Lil-Baihaqi, Vol. 1, Page 54) Al-Raazi says, This Hadith is attainable by a man who possesses three characteristics: 1. that he is from Quraish 2. that he has abundant knowledge among religious scholars 3. that his abundant knowledge will indeed reach from east to west of the world After saying this Al-Raazi says, The man described above is no other than Al-Shafiee. (Musnad of Abu Dawood Al-Tabalusi, p. 39-40) The Imaam is from Quraish and the following other Ahadith (narrations) are indications towards him: 1. Abdullah bin Masood (RA) narrates from the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) as saying, Do not curse at the Quraish, for verily a scholar from there fills the earth with knowledge. OAllah, you have made their first taste your punishment, now make the last of them taste your gift and favor. (Musnad of Abu Dawood Al-Tabalusi, p. 39-40) 2. Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, OAllah, Guide the Quraish, for verily a scholar from there fills the earth with knowledge. OAllah, just you have made them taste your punishment, now let them taste your gift and favor. He made this supplication three times. (al-Khateeb fee al-tarikh, V.2, P.61) 3. Imaam Al-Shafiee is Quraishi and Muttalibi. One hadith says, Indeed Banu Haashim and Banu al-Muttalib are the same (ie. of the same family lineage). The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) then put his fingers of both hands together. (Al-Sunan alKubra, V.6, P.340) 4. In one narration the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said, Indeed, at the beginning of every hundred years Allah SWT sends a reformer of this Ummah who will revive the Ummah in religion. (Al-Mustadrik, V.4, P.522, Al-Khateeb fee al-tarikh, V.2, P.61) His Children: First Childs Name: Abu Usman, Muhammad (was a judge in Madinah, grew up in Syria) Second Childs Name: Fatimah Third Childs Name: Zainab His Going to Egypt: The Imaam went to Egypt in the year 199 A.H. (814/815 A.D.) during the beginning of the Mamun Khilafah. He went back to Baghdad for a month then again returned to Egypt and stayed until his demise in the year 204 A.H. (819/820 A.D.)
His Writings and Books: 1. Al-Risalah al-Qadeemah (Kitaabul-Hujjah) 2. Al-Risalah al-Jadeedah 3. Ikhtilaaful-Hadith 4. Ibtaal-al-Istihsaan 5. Ahkaam-ul-Quran 6. Biyaadhul-Fardh 7. Sifatul-al-Amr wal-Nahiy 8. Ikhtilaaf Malik wal-Shafiee 9. Ikhtilaaf-al-Iraqiyeen 10. Ikhtilaaf Muhammad bin Hasan 11. Fadhail Quraish 12. Kitaabul-Umm 13. Kitaabul-Sunan His Demise: The Imaam became very sick at the end of his life with hemmariodal pain and passed away in Egypt on Thursday night after Isha Prayer after performing Maghrib Prayer on the last day of Rajab. We was buried in Cairo, Egypt on Friday in the year 204 A.H. (819/820 A.D.) His Masjid in Cairo can be visited in the Imaam Al-Shafiee Neighborhood. May Allah be pleased with him. Ameen. Translated by Adil Khan on 11th of Shabaan, 1422 A.H. from Kitaabul-Umm, Printed in Beirut, Lebanon. www.islamiyyah.com