'I will traverse the lands far and wide in pursuit of knowledge'

والصَّلَاةُ والسَّلاَمُ عَلَى سَيّدِنَا مُحَمَّدٍ أَشْرَفِ اْلمُرْسَلِيْنَ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ الطَّيّبِيْنَ الطَّاهِرِيْن

Imam Ash-Shafi^iyy embarked on a journey of scholarly pursuit from a tender age. He traversed lands and disciplines, absorbing knowledge from esteemed scholars across diverse regions, commencing with the erudite Imam Malik in the early stages of his quest and culminating with a disciple of the eminent Imam Abu Hanifah.

The Prophet lauded him

Ash-Shafi^iyy remarked, " Malik is not only my teacher and mentor but the very source from which we gleaned our knowledge." Yet, it was within Ash-Shafi^iyy himself that the prophetic words found their true fulfilment, as stated in the Hadith:

"لا تسُبّوا قُريشًا فإنّ عالمَها يملَأُ طِباقَ الأرضِ عِلمًا"

"Do not insult Quraysh, as its scholar will illuminate the earth with knowledge."

Al-Bayhaqiyy elucidated: "The consensus among a select group of our esteemed scholars is that the distinguished scholar, hailing from Quraysh, and destined to enrich the world with knowledge is none other than Ash-Shafi^iyy .” This saying was conveyed by Ahmad ibnu Hanbal and similarly stated by Abu Nu^aym ^Abdu l-Malik ibnu Muhammad, the Faqih, Al-Istirabadhiyy, and other esteemed scholars of their ilk. It's untenable to generalise the proclamation 'as its scholar will illuminate the earth with knowledge' to encompass all Qurayshite scholars. While individuals of scholarly calibre exist among them, their influence remained localised. Thus, the designation pertains specifically to one luminary, excluding others."

If this statement refers to someone whose knowledge is widely acknowledged and whose fame has spread on earth, while also being from the Quraysh tribe, then Ash-Shafi^iyy exemplifies this description. Consequently, he falls within the ambit of those referenced in this announcement.

If, however, the intent behind this expression is to denote an extraordinary level of manifestation and influence, then we can confidently assert that none among the Quraysh is more deserving of such recognition than Ash-Shafi^iyy.

Truly, among all the scholars hailing from Quraysh, he stands out as the one who has delved into the foundational and ancillary sciences, whose authored works serve as authoritative texts in practice, whose rulings are committed to memory, and whose renown has reached far and wide. Such is his stature that seekers of knowledge have gleaned profound insights from his teachings, scholars have rendered opinions under his jurisprudential approach, judges have adjudicated based on his rulings, and partisans have upheld his arguments, recognising the depth of his insights, his fidelity to the Book of Allah, and his adherence to the traditions of His Prophet. He walked in the footsteps of His Prophet, endeavouring to emulate the exemplary lives of the Companions and to derive valuable guidance from their teachings and experiences.

He is therefore the one from Quraysh who has filled the earth with knowledge, garnering increasing followership over time. Hence, he rightfully takes precedence over all others to be the one addressed by this news, and to be encompassed in the Prophet’s directive: "The [main] imams are from Quraysh, so make Quraysh prevail and do not prioritise yourselves."

From the Honoured Mecca...

In his early days, Ash-Shafi^iyy's interests leaned towards poetry, literature, and the rich Arab history. Subsequently, by the grace of Allah, Ash-Shafi^iyy found himself guided towards a profound exploration of jurisprudence and other disciplines.

According to different accounts, one day while on his way to study Arabic grammar and literature, Ash-Shafi^iyy encountered Muslim ibnu Khalid Az-Zunjiyy, then the esteemed mufti of Mecca.

The Mufti asked him: "Where do you come from? He replied: "I belong to the people of Mecca. "Where do you live?” probed the Mufti further. He responded: "In Chi^abu l-Khayf.” The Mufti persisted, "What tribe are you from?" Ash-Shafi^iyy answered, "I am from the tribe of ^Abdu-Manaf." Then the Mufti imparted: "Fortunate are you, for Allah has graced you with honour in this world and the Hereafter. Why not harness your intellect and insight in service of jurisprudence? It would be better for you!”

Ash-Shafi^iyy, despite his young age, displayed exceptional proficiency in jurisprudence, and Az-Zunjiyy granted him the authority to issue jurisprudential rulings (fatwa). However, Ash-Shafi^iyy 's enthusiasm went beyond this role. He had heard of the renowned Imam of the Land of Emigration, whose name had already become synonymous with extensive knowledge of religious sciences and Hadith.

...To the Illuminated Medina

Ash-Shafi^iyy's determination led him to emigrate to Medina in search of knowledge. He prepared for this journey by borrowing from a man in Mecca the book 'Al-Muwatta', which was authored by Imam Malik. Ash-Shafi^iyy diligently studied and memorised the contents of the book before his departure. Upon their meeting, Imam Malik inquired about his name. "My name is Muhammad," he replied. Malik advised him, saying, "Muhammad, fear Allah, be devout, and shun disobedience, for you are destined for great heights. Allah has illuminated your heart; do not let sins dim that light!" He then instructed him to return the following day with a companion who would assist him in his studies.

Ash-Shafi^iyy began learning, and the more he advanced, the greater Malik's expectations of him became. He remained by Malik's side to learn and study science, jurisprudence, and any other field in which the glorious Imam, Malik, issued religious opinions (fatwas) until his passing in year 179H. Ash-Shafi^iyy was then in his thirties.

Travelling searching for knowledge

Ash-Shafi^iyy was deeply committed to remaining close to Imam Malik, yet he would journey occasionally to Mecca to visit his mother and seek her counsel. His mother possessed noble character and profound insight; qualities cherished by Ash-Shafi^iyy. He had a fondness for travel, which he deemed highly beneficial. He often remarked, "I will traverse the lands far and wide in pursuit of knowledge, or I will pass away unknown in those lands. If I perish, I hope Allah will show me mercy. But if I endure, I shall return soon."

Ash-Shafi^iyy composed numerous poems, one of which reflects on the virtues of travel. In Arabic, the poem conveys the following meaning:

Journey on, and you shall find,
What compensates that you've left behind.

Embrace the toil, for in it lies,
The essence of life that truly satisfies.

For stagnant is the water that doesn't flow,
But when it does, its sweetness does bestow.

Had the lion not left the forest's gloom,
No prey would grace its hunting room.

And if the arrow, snug in the longbow,
Didn't soar forth, its mark it wouldn't know.

The pride of Ash-Shafi^iyy's lineage did not deter him from labouring and seeking his sustenance to live off the fruits of his toil. Eventually, one of the governors of Yemen appointed him as governor of Najran. In this role, his remarkable intelligence and his upright character, refraining from injustice, shone through. He rejected flattery and corruption, in contrast to his predecessor who had succumbed to them.

Ash-Shafi^iyy in Baghdad and then in Yemen

Ash-Shafi^iyy was thirty-four years old when he ventured to Baghdad where he spent two years, dedicating himself entirely to the pursuit of knowledge and jurisprudence under the tutelage of Muhammad ibnu l-Hasan Ash-Shaybaniyy, the disciple and companion of Abu Hanifah. There, he amalgamated the jurisprudence of the Hijaz, grounded in transmission, with that of Iraq, rooted in deduction. This synthesis elevated Ash-Shafi^iyy to the ranks of jurisprudential luminaries, both through transmission and deduction. Upon his return to Egypt, he established his new school.

Ibnu Hajar commented on Ash-Shafi^iyy 's achievement, stating: "He synthesised the knowledge of scholars who deduce laws with the expertise of scholars specialised in hadith."

Among his shaykhs in Medina were:

• Malik Ibnu Anas Al-‘Asbahiyy,
• Ibrahim Ibnu Sa^d Al-‘Ansariyy,
• ^Abdu l -^A ziz Ibnu Muhammad Ad-Dawardiyy,
• Ibrahim Ibnu Yahya Al-‘Uçamiyy,
• Muhammad Ibnu Sa^id Ibnu Ab i Fudayk
• ^Abdu l-Lah Ibnu Nafi^ As–Sa‘igh.

Among his shaykhs in Iraq were:

• Muhammad Ibnu l-Haçan Ach-Chaybaniyy
• Waki^ Ibnu l-Jarrah Al-Kufiyy,
• Abu Uçamah Hammad Ibnu Uçamah Al-Kufiyy,
• Isma^il Ibnu ^Atiyyah Al-Basriyy
• ^Abdu l-Wahhab Ibnu ^Abdi l-Hamid Al-Basriyy.

Among his shaykhs in Yemen were:

• Mutraf Ibnu Mazin,
• Hicham Ibnu Yuçuf le juge de Sanaa (San^a‘),
• ^Umar Ibnu Abi Muslamah le compagnon de Al-‘Awza^iyy
• Yahya Ibnu Haçan le compagnon de Al-Layth Ibnu Sa^d.