Imaam Shaafi’ee’s (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) name was Muhammad ibn Idris. He was born in the year 150 A.H. (the very year Imaam Abu Hanifah passed away) and passed away in the month of Rajab, 204 A.H.
Imaam Shaafi’i (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was titled in Baghdad as ‘Naasirus Sunnah’ (the saviour of the Sunnah). Ibn Katheer (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) says: “He memorized the Quraan when he was only seven, the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik when he was ten, and his Shaikh, Muslim ibn Khallaad az-Zanji permitted him to pass verdicts (Fatwa) when he was only fifteen. (Some narrations state that he was eighteen). Abu Thowr (Rahmatullahi Alaihi), one of the Mujtahideen of that era, says: “We never saw anyone like Imaam Shaafi’ee.
Ibrahim bin Abi Taalib says that I once asked Abu Qudaamah As-Sarakhsi regarding Imaam Shaafi’ee, Imaam Ahmad, Abu Ubaid and Ibn Raahway (Rahimahumullah). He replied: “Imaam Shaafi’ee is the most diligent amongst them in fiqh.
Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal said: “Imaam Shaafi’ee was from amongst the most eloquent of people.
Ibrahim bin Muhammad As-Shaafi’ee says: “I never saw anyone perform salaah better than Imaam Shaafi’ee (Rahmatullahi Alayh). The reason for this is that he had learnt how to perform salaah from Muslim bin Khaalid, who learnt from ibn Jurayj, who learnt from Ataa’, who learnt from ibn Zubayr, who learnt from Abu Bakr (Radhiallahu Anhu), who learnt from Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Hafiz Jalaalud Deen Suyooti (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) says that the Ulama have mentioned that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) had issued glad tidings in favour of Imaam Shaafi’ee (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) in the following manner: “Do not talk ill of the Quraysh, as an Aalim of the Quraysh would (in the near future) fill the entire world with ilm (knowledge).” The Ulama say that this glad tiding was in reference to Imaam Shaafi’ee (Rahmatullahi Alaihi).
Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal said: “The fuqahaa were the doctors, and the Muhadditheen were the pharmacists. Muhammad bin Idrees (Imaam Shaafi’ee) came as both a doctor and a pharmacist.
Younus As-Sadafi says: “I did not see anyone more intelligent than Imaam Shaafi’ee. I debated with him on one occasion regarding a certain mas’ala, then we separated. He thereafter took hold of my hand and said: “O Abu Musa, why can’t we still remain closely attached as brothers, even though I notice that we do not agree on certain issues.
Allamah Subki (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) mentions that on one occasion Imaam Shaafi’ee explained a mas’ala to Rabee bin Sulaymaan Al-Muraadi thirty nine times, yet he still did not understand it. Rabee then woke up and left the gathering out of shame. After the lesson Imaam Shaafi’ee called him in seclusion and explained to him with extreme love and affection in the manner he had explained it during the thrity nine times. On the fortieth time, Rabee bin Sulaymaan understood it.
After making an effort, man is able to accomplish any difficult task he wishes, just as a closed door is opened after some effort.
O Allah, shower your choicest mercy and blessings on the master of the worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) according to the number of people who recited durood upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). And shower your choicest mercy and blessings on the master of the worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) according to the number of people who did not recite durood upon Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). And shower your choicest mercy and blessings on the master of the worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the manner that You have commanded that durood be recited upon him. And shower your choicest mercy and blessings on the master of the worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the most befitting manner which pleases You. And shower your choicest mercy and blessings on the master of the worlds, Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the manner he should be remembered and durood be recited upon him.
It is possible that Imaam Shaafiee (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) had gained forgiveness on account of both these above-mentioned duroods.