Until today Imam Shafi’i, whose name was Muhammad bin Idris, and also called Abu Abdillah,is one of the most outstanding and well known Fuqaha’a (Jurisprudence)scholars and has a large following in his school of thought among Muslims,especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. He was born in 150 Hijrah ( 767 A.D.)in Gaza and devoted the whole of his life to studies on matters of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqh).

Apart from that,he was also well known for his literary prowess with beautiful and profoundly substantive poetic works. His poems were shining pearls, articulated in the finest expressions, full of wisdom in the highest order. Imam Shafi’i loved knowledge since his childhood days. It was not unusual for him to complete reciting the whole of Al-Quran sixty times in the month of Ramadhan, when he recited the verses of Al-Quran in his prayers. He was generous with donations (sadaqah) from whatever he possessed.

His life was very modest, particularly with eating and drinking. He never ate to his full stomach since the age of sixteen. He considered full stomach would increase body weight, would harden the heart, would dull the mind, and would cause sleepiness and laziness in active ibadah (devotion to Allah).

Imam Shafi’i died in Egypt after the onset of Maghrib prayer time on the Islamic auspicious Friday night (English Thursday night) in the month of Rajab and he was laid to rest on Friday in the year 204 Hijrah. Many scholars (ulama)acknowledge Imam Shafi’i, not only for his outstanding scholastic contributions,but also as a person of amicable attributes of trustworthiness, upholding firmly to justice, devotion to Allah, characterised with humility, and his nobility of conduct. Throughout his life, he was an embodiment of guidance with immense attributes of taqwa (pious devotion to Allah) and his life was free of any blemish of being astray or involvement with any evil deed.

He was honest with his decisions in his legal rulings, arrived at with sound tests of the exalted Truth and Justice defined by Allah S.W.T. in Al-Quran and explained by Hadith of our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. His rulings were shining examples of justice, stars that adorn the blessings of universal justice. 

His love for travel, in pursuit of knowledge, remained an outstanding example and inspiration, for those who love the pursuit of knowledge at all times. While the gems of his legacy ware tremendous, his wise advises were cherished by many, amongst which were:

• "Travel with firm belief, so that you will discover benefits out of five things, they are, Knowledge, Conduct and Manners, Income, Removing Sadness, Uplifting the Spirit, and Friendship."

• "Verily, I see that impounded still water brings unpleasant smell. If the water were to flow, it will appear clear and fit to drink. If you leave the water to remain impounded, it will smell."

• "A wild lion can catch its victim when it leaves its nest. A sharp arrow will not hit its target until it leaves its bow."

• "Gold is just like dust before it is weighed. A sandalwood plant in its place, is just like firewood."

• "If you leave your place of birth, you will discover a respectable position in your new place, and you are like gold which has been lifted from its place."