Imam Malik was extremely happy to get a student who was so clever and so intelligent as Shafi’i. Since his childhood, Shafi’i did not only memorise the whole of Al-Quran, but also thousands of Hadith Rasulullah S.A.W. In fact he had also memorised the whole of the book Muatta’, which was a collection of Hadiths written by the master teacher Imam Malik himself, prior to meeting his master.

As a true example of self-management, Imam Shafi’I organised his nights into three parts:

• One third of the night for seeking knowledge;
• One third of the night for prayers;
• One third of the night for sleep.

Imam Shafi’i himself explained that he never swore throughout his life, whether to affirm or to deny anything. On one occasion someone asked him a problem. He kept quiet for a while, without answering the question. When he was asked why he did so, he answered: "I waited first, until I know which is better, to keep quiet or to answer your question." This indicated how careful he was in offering an answer to any one who brought a problem to him.

He was quoted to have informed others on himself: "One day I had no money, while I was desirous of seeking knowledge. Then I went to work in a hall to earn my keep." This showed that Imam Shafi’i did not lie idol when confronted with financial difficulties, especially while pursuing his studies but he was willing to work and earn whatever is halal (permissible), as long as he achieved his ambition.

Imam Ghazali was quoted to have mentioned that Imam Shafi’i was also an important personality practising the life of a Sufi. He was a person of the utmost Taqwa , who did not like to pride himself in whatever way.

In relation to Sufism, Imam Shafi’i said: "I would like men to learn this discipline, but do not quote my name, with even a single word."

Among Imam Shafi’i’s words which carried Sufi values were :

"A man who is cruel to himself, is one who lowers himself to someone who does not respect him, and one who likes something which does not bring him any benefit, and one who is praised by someone who does not really know him. One who is not honoured for his Taqwa, is not a person who is honoured. To probe into a man’s secret, is more cruel than investigating an animal. If I know that such an investigation will affect my honour, I shall not drink even if I am thirsty. Among the true signs of Ukhwah is to accept criticisms from friends, and to protect a friend’s honour and forgive his mistakes."

Such are the words of wisdom from Imam Shafi’i Radhiallahu ‘Anhu.