At the age of two years, after Shafi’I was orphaned, his mother moved to Makkah. Since he was seven, Shafi’i had memorised the whole of Al-Quran and many Hadiths (sayings) of our beloved Prophet Muhammad S.A.W. Whenever he came to know of the presence of a learned person, he would not hesitate to seek him to fathom his knowledge.

At the age of fourteen, he openly expressed to his mother his desire to travel to seek knowledge. At the beginning, his mother was rather reluctant to let Shafi’i go, because he was her only hope to take care of her when she grew old. Shafi’i’s overwhelming love of and obedience to his mother, forced him to abandon his intention. However, his very understanding mother eventually granted him permission for him to fulfil his desire to seek knowledge.

Before letting Shafi’i leave, his mother sought Allah’s blessings through a do’a (supplication):

Shafi’i then kissed his mother’s hand and bade her goodbye. Leaving his most loved mother with a heavy heart, Shafi’i waved his hand bidding farewell and deeply hoping his mother will continue seeking Allah’s blessings for his welfare and achievement in seeking knowledge which would be beneficial.

Being a poor child, Shafi’i left home without any money but furnished with a supply of his mother’s do’a, his burning ambition to seek knowledge, and his absolute trust in Allah S.W.T.

Imam Shafi’i described his separation with his mother, saying: "Several times I turned back to wave my hand to my mother. She remained fixed on her feet outside the compound of our house, while sharply looking at me. Eventually my sight of her became fainter and fainter in the morning mist. I left Makkah, the Blessed City, without any supply of money, what became my supply was only a firm faith and a heart filled with trust in Allah S.W.T. and do’a from my mother. I surrendered myself entirely to Allah, Lord of the Universe."