Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafii (767–820 CE) was a distinguished Islamic jurist, theologian, and scholar, regarded as the founder of the Shafi’i school of jurisprudence. Born in Gaza, Palestine, he spent his early years in Mecca, where he memorized the Qur’an at a young age and immersed himself in the study of Hadith and Arabic language. His sharp intellect and remarkable memory quickly earned him recognition among scholars, paving the way for a life dedicated to Islamic knowledge and legal thought.

His most influential work, Al-Risala, laid the foundations for the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (Usul al-Fiqh). In this treatise, Imam Shafi’i systematically explained how the Qur’an, Sunnah, consensus (ijma), and analogical reasoning (qiyas) form the basis of Islamic law. His methodology brought clarity and structure to Islamic legal theory, bridging the approaches of earlier scholars and establishing a balanced framework that has guided Muslim jurists for centuries.

Imam Shafi’i traveled widely, studying under leading scholars in Mecca, Medina, Iraq, and Egypt, where he spent his final years. His teachings combined the traditions of both the people of Hadith and the people of opinion, producing a jurisprudential school that spread across the Muslim world, from East Africa to Southeast Asia. Revered for his humility, eloquence, and devotion to knowledge, Imam Shafi’i remains one of the most influential figures in Islamic scholarship, with his legacy continuing to shape Islamic law and thought to this day.