|
Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa, Imam Maalik, Imam
Shaafi and Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhumul ajma'in)are
the leaders of the four schools of Fiqh (Islamic Law).
"FIQH" is the Science of Islamic
Law or Jurisprudence. It refers to the collection and compilation of Islamic
laws based on the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal
laahu alaihi wasallam). These great Muslims devoted themselves to the task
of developing the science of understanding Islamic Law and its practise.
Although they differed from each other, all
the four great Imams had great respect for each other. They were all teachers
and pupils of each other for the common goal of enhancing their knowledge about
Islam. All of them were unanimous on Aqa'ids (Islamic Beliefs). We, as Muslims,
must respect the different Sunni schools of thought.
Mohammed bin Idris Al Shaafa'ee (radi
Allahu anhu) famously known as Imam Shaafa'ee was born in 150 A.H. and
belonged to the Quraish tribe.
When he was 10 years old, he came to Makkatul Mukarramah from
Palestine where he grew up. He was very intelligent and had an excellent memory.
He memorized the entire Holy Quran at the age of 7. By the age of 15, he had
memorized the entire Muwatta of Imam Maalik (radi Allahu anhu). Before
the age of 20, he studied Islamic Jurisprudence under the Mufti of Makkatul
Mukarramah, Sayyiduna Muslim bin Khalil al Zanji and also Sayyiduna Sufyaan bin
Uyayana (radi Allahu anhuma). Imam Maalik bin Anas (radi Allahu anhu)
was also his teacher.
When the Governor of Iraq visited Madinatul Munawwarah, he was
so impressed by Imam Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu) that he persuaded him
to become an Administrator. As Imam Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu) was in
conflict with the Government officials, he was deported to Iraq and brought in
front of Haroun Rasheed who was very impressed with Imam Shaafa'ee (radi
Allahu anhu).
He now studied Islamic Jurisprudence under Imam Mohammed Ash
Shaybaani (radi Allahu anhu), who was the student of Imam Abu Yusuf
(radi Allahu anhu), who was the student of Imam A'zam Abu Hanifa (radi
Allahu anhu). Thus, Imam Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu) became a master
of both the Hanafi and Shaafa'ee School of Fiqh.
On his way to Egypt, he lectured in Makkatul Mukarramah in the
Haram Shareef. Imam Ahmed bin Hambal (radi Allahu anhu), who was studying
at the time in Makkatul Mukarramah found great benefit from these lectures. Imam
Shaafa'ee (radi Allahu anhu) then went to Baghdad where he spent 3 or 4
years and finally went to Egypt. He was now 50 years old.
In Egypt, scholars from all over the world came to study at
his feet. His famous pupils were Sayyiduna Rabi bin Sulayman, Sayyiduna Abu
Yacoob Al Ruwayta and Sayyiduna Abu Ebraheem bin Yahya Al Muzani (radi Allahu
anhumul ajma'in).
"Kitaabul Umm" and "Ar Risaalah" are the two
famous books on Islamic Fiqh written by him.
Some reports say that he was injured seriously by a person
called Fityan, while other reports mention that he passed away through natural
illness on the last day of Rajab in the year 204 A.H.in Egypt. Maalik Al Kaamil,
the Ayyubid Sultan, built a Mazaar for him in 608 A.H.
|
