Imam Shafi’i’s love for Allah S.W.T. was complete and absolute. He used to remind others: "One who dares to gather together his love for the worldly and his love for Allah S.W.T. in his heart, is completely false."

Imam Shafi’i is a person who is zuhud (whose lifestyle is not driven by greed of the worldly, such as pride of fame, wealth and so forth). Once he returned from Yemen with ten thousand dirham, but before he entered Makkah, the money was distributed to the needy.

It happened once when he was riding a donkey, his whip felled on the ground. Somebody picked it up and handed to him. To this person Imam Shafi’i gave fifty dinars, as a penalty on himself for riding the donkey, while others were just walking. He considered he was arrogant to others beside him.

On one occasion Imam Shafi’i saw a youth taking his ablution (wuthu’) in a manner which was not right. He advised the youth:

" My son! If you take ablution do it in proper manner, so that Allah bless you with the goods of the present world and the Hereafter." The youth followed his advice and subsequently hurried to follow him, curious to know who was the person who was so kind to advise him.

Imam Shafi’i turned around and asked the youth why he was following him. The youth replied that he was pursuing his studies to seek more knowledge and sought the advisor to give him more advice. Imam Shafi’i reminded the youth : " Whoever knows Allah, he will succeed. Whoever honours the religion, he will be safe from dishonour and dangers and whoever is zuhud in this world, he will surely receive Allah’s gift of honour."

Then Imam Shafi’i asked the youth if he wanted more lessons. The youth was pleased if he could continue with the advice. Imam Shafi’i continued: " Whoever undertake three deeds will render his faith to perfection.
 

• Firstly, to enjoin others to do good, while he himself do good deeds.
• Secondly, to prevent others from doing evil, while he himself stay away from evil deeds.
• Thirdly, he keeps himself within limits of Allah’s Divine laws."

"You must be zuhud with the world, and love deeds for rewards in the Hereafter. You must be honest in discharging Allah’s Will, so that you will be counted among the successful."

The youth then asked those around him, who was the Teacher, who was so generous with teaching him lessons, even though he was just a stranger travelling through on a journey. Those around him told him that the teacher was none other than Imam Shafi’i, a Master who was ever willing to teach those who sought knowledge from him. All he did was in the cause of devotion to Allah S.W.T.