Imam Al-Shafi’i (Founder of the School)
Abu Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris ibn al-Abbas al-Qurashi al-Muttalibi al-Shafi’i, known as Imam Al-Shafi’i, was born in the year 150 AH in Gaza, although some sources suggest Ascalon. After the death of his father, when he was just two years old, his mother took him to Mecca. By the age of seven, he had memorized the Quran, began attending lectures by scholars, and immersed himself in jurisprudence, quickly becoming a leading figure of his time in this field.
Imam Al-Shafi’i traveled extensively in pursuit of knowledge. He initially went to Medina, where he studied under Imam Malik, then traveled to Yemen to learn from its scholars, and later to Iraq where he studied under Imam Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, a student of Abu Hanifa. These journeys equipped Imam Al-Shafi’i with a comprehensive understanding of both hadith and legal reasoning.
Upon achieving intellectual maturity, Imam Al-Shafi’i began composing books and establishing his early school of thought in Iraq. Subsequently, he moved to Egypt, where he founded his later school of thought. He passed away there in the year 204 AH. Among his most significant works, which later scholars of his school relied upon, are:
- The Risalah (Message), originally composed in Iraq and later revised in Egypt, often referred to as the New Risalah.
- Al-Um, a comprehensive book on jurisprudence, transmitted by his student, Al-Rabi’ ibn Sulayman al-Muradi.
Abd al-Malik al-Juwayni (Imam of the Two Holy Mosques)
Abu al-Maali Abd al-Malik ibn Abd Allah ibn Yusuf, known as Imam al-Juwayni, was born in the year 419 AH. He distinguished himself early on and began acquiring knowledge under the tutelage of his father, studying all of his works. After his father’s death, he took over his father’s teaching position at the mosque and then traveled to the Hejaz in pursuit of further knowledge.
It is reported that he returned to Naysabur, where he dedicated nearly thirty years to teaching without competition or confrontation, fully devoted to his pulpit and teaching. His beneficial writings gained recognition, attracting many prominent scholars to his classes, where he would have around three hundred students daily.
After dedicating his life to the pursuit of knowledge, teaching, exhortation, and writing, Imam al-Juwayni passed away in the year 478 AH, leaving behind a rich legacy of valuable literature, among which are:
- Al-Waraqat in the Principles of Jurisprudence.
- Al-Burhan in the Principles of Jurisprudence.
- Nihayat al-Matlub in Knowledge of the School, which is considered the most notable work on the branches of Shafi’i jurisprudence.
- Ghayath al-Ummam in the Protection of the Oppressed, a significant work on political ethics.
Al-Ghazali, The Proof of Islam
Imam Al-Ghazali, known as the proof of Islam, was born Abu Hamid Muhammad ibn Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Tusi al-Shafi’i in the year 450 AH. He initiated his studies in his hometown before moving to Naysabur, where he became a disciple of Imam al-Juwayni. In a short period, he acquired extensive knowledge, particularly in theology and dialectical arguments, becoming a renowned debater. Subsequently, he entered the royal court where he caught the attention of Minister Nizam al-Mulk, who appointed him to teach at the Nizamiyya of Baghdad.
Throughout his career, Imam al-Ghazali authored a multitude of books across various disciplines. Some of his most famous works include:
- Revival of the Religious Sciences, a comprehensive reference in various fields of knowledge.
- The Basic, The Concise, The Medium, and The Summary in Shafi’i jurisprudence.
- Al-Mustasfa in the Principles of Jurisprudence.
- Al-Iqtisad fi al-I’tiqad.