1 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:03,200 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:08,000 “And of men and beasts and cattle, in like manner, divers hues? The erudite among His bondmen fear Allah alone. Lo! Allah is Mighty, Forgiving.” (35:28) 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:18,570 Biographies of the Four Imams: 4 00:00:18,570 --> 00:00:24,160 Four life stories brimming with beauty and majesty, 5 00:00:24,160 --> 00:00:26,160 carefully abridged 6 00:00:26,160 --> 00:00:29,359 from that peerless and monumental work, 7 00:00:29,359 --> 00:00:32,560 *Siyar A'lam al-Nubala'* 8 00:00:32,560 --> 00:00:36,909 by Imam al-Dhahabi, may Allah have mercy on him, 9 00:00:36,909 --> 00:00:40,909 prepared by Shaykh Muhammad al-Muhanna, 10 00:00:40,909 --> 00:00:42,909 may Allah preserve him. 11 00:00:42,909 --> 00:00:49,420 Imam al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him: 12 00:00:49,420 --> 00:00:54,369 He is Muhammad ibn Idris ibn al-'Abbas 13 00:00:54,369 --> 00:00:57,369 ibn 'Uthman ibn Shafi' ibn al-Sa'ib 14 00:00:57,369 --> 00:01:00,369 ibn 'Ubayd ibn 'Abd Yazid ibn Hisham 15 00:01:00,369 --> 00:01:04,370 ibn al-Muttalib ibn 'Abd Manaf ibn Qusayy ibn Kilab 16 00:01:04,370 --> 00:01:08,370 ibn Murrah ibn Ka'b ibn Lu'ayy ibn Ghalib; 17 00:01:08,370 --> 00:01:11,370 the Imam, the scholar of the era, 18 00:01:11,370 --> 00:01:14,370 the champion of hadith, the jurist of the religious community, 19 00:01:14,370 --> 00:01:16,370 Abu 'Abdillah al-Qurashi, 20 00:01:16,370 --> 00:01:20,370 al-Muttalibi, al-Shafi'i, al-Makki; 21 00:01:20,370 --> 00:01:22,370 born in Gaza. 22 00:01:22,370 --> 00:01:26,370 He was a relative of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his kinsman, 23 00:01:26,370 --> 00:01:31,370 meaning that he shared lineage with the Prophet (peace be upon him); 24 00:01:31,370 --> 00:01:36,370 for the third forefather of the Prophet (peace be upon him), 25 00:01:36,370 --> 00:01:38,370 who was 'Abd Manaf, 26 00:01:38,370 --> 00:01:42,370 is the ninth forefather of al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him. 27 00:01:42,370 --> 00:01:47,370 For al-Muttalib was the brother of Hashim, the father of 'Abd al-Muttalib. 28 00:01:47,370 --> 00:01:50,400 Imam al-Shafi'i was born in Gaza, 29 00:01:50,400 --> 00:01:53,400 and his father, Idris, died young. 30 00:01:53,400 --> 00:01:57,400 Thus Muhammad grew up an orphan in his mother's care, 31 00:01:57,400 --> 00:01:59,400 and she feared he would be neglected and lost, 32 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:01,400 so she relocated with him to the land of his roots— 33 00:02:01,400 --> 00:02:03,400 that is, to his ancestral home— 34 00:02:03,400 --> 00:02:05,400 when he was just two years old. 35 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:07,400 He grew up in Mecca 36 00:02:07,400 --> 00:02:09,400 and took devotedly to archery 37 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:11,400 until he surpassed all his peers in it, 38 00:02:11,400 --> 00:02:15,400 hitting the mark nine times out of ten arrows. 39 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:18,500 Then he turned his attention to Arabic and the sacred law, 40 00:02:18,500 --> 00:02:21,500 excelling in them and distinguishing himself, 41 00:02:21,500 --> 00:02:23,500 after which fiqh was made beloved to him, 42 00:02:23,500 --> 00:02:25,500 and he came to lead the people of his time. 43 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:27,500 He acquired knowledge in his hometown 44 00:02:27,500 --> 00:02:30,500 from Muslim ibn Khalid al-Zanji, 45 00:02:30,500 --> 00:02:32,500 the Mufti of Mecca, 46 00:02:32,500 --> 00:02:35,500 and from his paternal uncle, Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn Shafi'— 47 00:02:35,500 --> 00:02:39,500 who was the cousin of al-'Abbas, al-Shafi'i's grandfather— 48 00:02:39,500 --> 00:02:41,500 as well as Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah, 49 00:02:41,500 --> 00:02:44,500 Fudayl ibn 'Iyad, and several others. 50 00:02:44,500 --> 00:02:46,500 He then traveled to Medina 51 00:02:46,500 --> 00:02:49,500 when he was in his early twenties, 52 00:02:49,500 --> 00:02:52,500 having already issued legal rulings and qualified for leadership. 53 00:02:52,500 --> 00:02:55,500 He received *al-Muwatta'* from Malik ibn Anas, 54 00:02:55,500 --> 00:02:57,500 reciting it to him from memory. 55 00:02:57,500 --> 00:03:00,500 In Yemen, he took knowledge from Mutarrif ibn Mazin, 56 00:03:00,500 --> 00:03:04,500 Hisham ibn Yusuf the judge, and a group of others; 57 00:03:04,500 --> 00:03:07,500 and in Baghdad, from Muhammad ibn al-Hasan, 58 00:03:07,500 --> 00:03:09,500 the jurist of Iraq, 59 00:03:09,500 --> 00:03:12,500 studying closely under him, taking copious knowledge from him, and loading full burdens of it. 60 00:03:12,500 --> 00:03:15,500 He authored major works, codified knowledge, 61 00:03:15,500 --> 00:03:19,500 respectfully critiqued fellow imams while adhering strictly to prophetic reports, 62 00:03:19,500 --> 00:03:22,500 and wrote extensively on both legal theory (usul al-fiqh) and its substantive branches. 63 00:03:22,500 --> 00:03:24,500 His renown spread far and wide, 64 00:03:24,500 --> 00:03:27,659 and students flocked to him in vast numbers. 65 00:03:27,659 --> 00:03:29,659 Among those who transmitted from him were al-Humaydi, 66 00:03:29,659 --> 00:03:32,659 Abu 'Ubayd al-Qasim ibn Sallam, 67 00:03:32,659 --> 00:03:34,659 Ahmad ibn Hanbal, 68 00:03:34,659 --> 00:03:36,659 al-Buwayti, Abu Thawr, 69 00:03:36,659 --> 00:03:39,659 'Abd al-'Aziz al-Makki, the author of *al-Haydah*, 70 00:03:39,659 --> 00:03:42,659 Ishaq ibn Rahwayh, 71 00:03:42,659 --> 00:03:45,659 al-Rabi' ibn Sulayman al-Muradi, 72 00:03:45,659 --> 00:03:48,659 al-Rabi' ibn Sulayman al-Jizi, 73 00:03:48,659 --> 00:03:51,659 Muhammad ibn 'Abdillah ibn 'Abd al-Hakam, 74 00:03:51,659 --> 00:03:53,659 and countless others. 75 00:03:53,659 --> 00:03:56,659 Al-Daraqutni dedicated a standalone book 76 00:03:56,659 --> 00:03:58,659 to those who transmitted narrations from al-Shafi'i, 77 00:03:58,659 --> 00:04:00,659 spanning two volumes. 78 00:04:00,659 --> 00:04:03,659 Major scholars have composed works on the virtues of this Imam, 79 00:04:03,659 --> 00:04:05,659 both in classical and modern times. 80 00:04:05,659 --> 00:04:08,659 Some people sought to detract from him and disparage him, 81 00:04:08,659 --> 00:04:12,659 yet that only elevated his rank and majesty; 82 00:04:12,659 --> 00:04:15,659 and it is clear to the fair-minded that the criticisms of his contemporaries 83 00:04:15,659 --> 00:04:17,660 were driven by personal bias. 84 00:04:17,660 --> 00:04:19,660 Rarely has anyone risen to prominence in scholarship 85 00:04:19,660 --> 00:04:21,660 and refuted those who differed with him 86 00:04:21,660 --> 00:04:23,660 without facing animosity. 87 00:04:23,660 --> 00:04:25,660 We seek refuge in Allah from following vain desires! 88 00:04:25,660 --> 00:04:29,660 Indeed, these few pages fall short of encompassing the virtues of this master. 89 00:04:29,660 --> 00:04:33,779 As for their ancestor al-Sa'ib al-Muttalibi, 90 00:04:33,779 --> 00:04:37,779 he was among the notables who were present at Badr on the side of the pre-Islamic pagans, 91 00:04:37,779 --> 00:04:39,779 and he was taken captive on that day. 92 00:04:39,779 --> 00:04:43,779 He bore a striking resemblance to the Prophet (peace be upon him), 93 00:04:43,779 --> 00:04:46,779 and it is said that after ransoming himself, 94 00:04:46,779 --> 00:04:48,779 he embraced Islam. 95 00:04:48,779 --> 00:04:50,779 His son, Shafi' ibn al-Sa'ib, 96 00:04:50,779 --> 00:04:52,779 had the honor of seeing the Prophet 97 00:04:52,779 --> 00:04:55,779 and is counted among the junior Companions, 98 00:04:55,779 --> 00:04:57,779 while his son 'Uthman was of the Tabi'un, 99 00:04:57,779 --> 00:05:00,779 though I know of no extensive narrations from him. 100 00:05:00,779 --> 00:05:02,779 Al-Muzani said: 101 00:05:02,779 --> 00:05:06,779 "I never saw a face more handsome than that of al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him." 102 00:05:06,779 --> 00:05:09,779 He would sometimes grasp his beard, 103 00:05:09,779 --> 00:05:12,779 and it would not exceed his fist. 104 00:05:12,779 --> 00:05:14,779 Ibrahim ibn Buranah said: 105 00:05:14,779 --> 00:05:18,779 "Al-Shafi'i was well-built, tall, and noble in stature." 106 00:05:18,779 --> 00:05:20,819 Al-Rabi' the Mu'adhdhin said: 107 00:05:20,819 --> 00:05:23,819 "I heard al-Shafi'i say: 108 00:05:23,819 --> 00:05:25,819 'I used to practice archery so devotedly 109 00:05:25,819 --> 00:05:28,819 that the physician would tell me: 110 00:05:28,819 --> 00:05:32,819 "I fear you might contract consumption from standing so long in the scorching heat."' 111 00:05:32,819 --> 00:05:34,879 He said: 112 00:05:34,879 --> 00:05:37,879 'And I used to hit the mark nine times out of ten.'" 113 00:05:37,879 --> 00:05:39,910 'Umar ibn Sawad said: 114 00:05:39,910 --> 00:05:41,910 "Al-Shafi'i said to me: 115 00:05:41,910 --> 00:05:44,910 'My passions were archery and seeking knowledge; 116 00:05:44,910 --> 00:05:46,910 and I mastered archery 117 00:05:46,910 --> 00:05:49,910 to the point where I would hit ten out of ten.' 118 00:05:49,910 --> 00:05:51,910 He remained silent about his knowledge, 119 00:05:51,910 --> 00:05:53,910 so I said: 120 00:05:53,910 --> 00:05:57,910 'By Allah, your stature in knowledge is far greater than it is in archery!'" 121 00:05:57,910 --> 00:06:00,040 Al-Humaydi said: 122 00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:02,040 "I heard al-Shafi'i say: 123 00:06:02,040 --> 00:06:05,040 'I was an orphan in the care of my mother, 124 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:08,040 and she had nothing to pay the teacher. 125 00:06:08,040 --> 00:06:13,040 But the teacher agreed that I would supervise the boys whenever he was away, 126 00:06:13,040 --> 00:06:15,040 thus lightening his burden.'" 127 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,069 It is narrated from al-Shafi'i that he said: 128 00:06:17,069 --> 00:06:20,069 "I used to write upon shoulder blades and bones; 129 00:06:20,069 --> 00:06:23,069 and I would go to the government offices, 130 00:06:23,069 --> 00:06:26,069 asking for the blank backs of discarded sheets to write on." 131 00:06:26,069 --> 00:06:28,069 Al-Humaydi said: 132 00:06:28,069 --> 00:06:30,069 "Al-Shafi'i said: 133 00:06:30,069 --> 00:06:33,069 'Our home in Mecca was in Shi'b al-Khayf, 134 00:06:33,069 --> 00:06:36,069 and I would spot a bare bone, 135 00:06:36,069 --> 00:06:39,069 write a hadith or a legal issue upon it, 136 00:06:39,069 --> 00:06:42,069 and we had an old clay jar, 137 00:06:42,069 --> 00:06:46,069 so whenever a bone was filled, I would toss it into the jar.'" 138 00:06:46,069 --> 00:06:48,069 Al-Muzani said: 139 00:06:48,069 --> 00:06:50,069 "I heard al-Shafi'i say: 140 00:06:50,069 --> 00:06:54,069 'I memorized the Qur'an when I was seven years old, 141 00:06:54,069 --> 00:06:57,259 and I memorized *al-Muwatta'* when I was ten.'" 142 00:06:57,259 --> 00:06:59,259 Al-Rabi' ibn Sulayman said: 143 00:06:59,259 --> 00:07:03,259 "Al-Shafi'i was born on the very day Abu Hanifah died, 144 00:07:03,259 --> 00:07:05,259 may Allah Almighty have mercy on them both." 145 00:07:05,259 --> 00:07:07,259 Ibn 'Abd al-Hakam said: 146 00:07:07,259 --> 00:07:10,259 "I heard al-Shafi'i say: 147 00:07:10,259 --> 00:07:14,259 'I recited the Qur'an to Isma'il ibn Qustantin.'" 148 00:07:14,259 --> 00:07:16,360 Al-Humaydi said: 149 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:20,360 "Muslim ibn Khalid al-Zanji said to al-Shafi'i: 150 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:22,360 'Issue legal rulings, O Abu 'Abdillah! 151 00:07:22,360 --> 00:07:25,360 For, by Allah, the time has truly come for you to give fatwas.' 152 00:07:25,360 --> 00:07:29,360 And al-Shafi'i was only fifteen years old." 153 00:07:29,360 --> 00:07:31,360 Al-Rabi' said: 154 00:07:31,360 --> 00:07:32,360 "Al-Shafi'i said: 155 00:07:32,360 --> 00:07:36,360 'That a servant meets Allah with every sin except polytheism 156 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:40,360 is far better than meeting Him with any form of heretical desires.'" 157 00:07:40,360 --> 00:07:42,360 Ibn 'Abd al-Hakam said: 158 00:07:42,360 --> 00:07:45,360 "I heard al-Shafi'i say: 159 00:07:45,360 --> 00:07:48,360 'If people only knew what heretical whims theological rhetoric contains, 160 00:07:48,360 --> 00:07:52,360 they would flee from it just as they flee from a lion'— 161 00:07:52,360 --> 00:07:54,360 referring to speculative theology (*'ilm al-kalam*)." 162 00:07:54,360 --> 00:07:56,360 Abu 'Ubayd said: 163 00:07:56,360 --> 00:07:59,360 "I have never seen anyone more intelligent than al-Shafi'i." 164 00:07:59,360 --> 00:08:01,360 Yunus al-Sadafi said: 165 00:08:01,360 --> 00:08:04,360 "I have never seen anyone more sensible than al-Shafi'i. 166 00:08:04,360 --> 00:08:06,360 I debated him one day on an issue, 167 00:08:06,360 --> 00:08:08,360 and then we parted ways. 168 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:11,360 Later, he met me, took me by the hand, and said: 169 00:08:11,360 --> 00:08:13,360 'O Abu Musa, 170 00:08:13,360 --> 00:08:16,360 is it not right that we remain brothers, 171 00:08:16,360 --> 00:08:18,360 even if we disagree on an issue?'" 172 00:08:18,360 --> 00:08:19,360 I say: 173 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:24,360 "This demonstrates the consummate intellect of this Imam and the profound understanding of his soul; 174 00:08:24,360 --> 00:08:27,360 for intellectual peers have never ceased to differ." 175 00:08:27,360 --> 00:08:30,389 Ma'mar ibn Shabib said: 176 00:08:30,389 --> 00:08:32,389 "I heard al-Ma'mun say: 177 00:08:32,389 --> 00:08:36,389 'I tested Muhammad ibn Idris in everything, 178 00:08:36,389 --> 00:08:38,389 and I found him completely consummate.'" 179 00:08:38,389 --> 00:08:40,389 Ahmad ibn Muhammad, 180 00:08:40,389 --> 00:08:42,389 the son of al-Shafi'i's daughter, said: 181 00:08:42,389 --> 00:08:45,389 "I heard my father and my uncle say: 182 00:08:45,389 --> 00:08:47,389 'Whenever Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah 183 00:08:47,389 --> 00:08:51,389 was asked regarding Tafsir or legal rulings, 184 00:08:51,389 --> 00:08:53,389 he would turn to al-Shafi'i 185 00:08:53,389 --> 00:08:54,389 and say: 186 00:08:54,389 --> 00:08:56,389 "Ask this man."'" 187 00:08:56,389 --> 00:08:58,389 Suwayd ibn Sa'id said: 188 00:08:58,389 --> 00:09:01,389 "I was in the company of Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah 189 00:09:01,389 --> 00:09:04,389 when al-Shafi'i arrived, greeted him, and sat down. 190 00:09:04,389 --> 00:09:08,389 Then Ibn 'Uyaynah narrated a heart-melting hadith, 191 00:09:08,389 --> 00:09:10,389 causing al-Shafi'i to faint. 192 00:09:10,389 --> 00:09:12,389 It was said to Sufyan: 193 00:09:12,389 --> 00:09:14,389 'O Abu Muhammad, 194 00:09:14,389 --> 00:09:16,389 Muhammad ibn Idris has died!' 195 00:09:16,389 --> 00:09:18,389 Whereupon Sufyan said: 196 00:09:18,389 --> 00:09:20,389 'If he has died, 197 00:09:20,389 --> 00:09:22,389 then the finest person of his era has died.'" 198 00:09:22,389 --> 00:09:24,620 Al-Rabi' said: 199 00:09:24,620 --> 00:09:26,620 "I heard al-Shafi'i 200 00:09:26,620 --> 00:09:28,620 He was asked about the Qur'an, 201 00:09:28,620 --> 00:09:29,620 and he replied, 202 00:09:29,620 --> 00:09:31,620 "Fie, fie! 203 00:09:31,620 --> 00:09:33,620 The Qur'an is the speech of Allah. 204 00:09:33,620 --> 00:09:36,620 Whoever says it is created has disbelieved." 205 00:09:36,620 --> 00:09:39,649 This is an authentic chain of transmission. 206 00:09:39,649 --> 00:09:40,649 Al-Rabi' said, 207 00:09:40,649 --> 00:09:43,649 "I heard Al-Shafi'i say: 208 00:09:43,649 --> 00:09:47,649 'Reciting hadith is better than voluntary prayer.'" 209 00:09:47,649 --> 00:09:48,649 And he said, 210 00:09:48,649 --> 00:09:52,740 "Seeking knowledge is superior to voluntary prayer." 211 00:09:52,740 --> 00:09:54,740 Al-Muzani said, 212 00:09:54,740 --> 00:09:56,740 "I heard Al-Shafi'i say: 213 00:09:56,740 --> 00:09:59,740 'Whoever learns the Qur'an, his worth becomes great; 214 00:09:59,740 --> 00:10:02,740 whoever speaks on fiqh, his standing grows; 215 00:10:02,740 --> 00:10:05,740 whoever writes down hadith, his proof becomes strong; 216 00:10:05,740 --> 00:10:08,740 whoever studies language, his nature becomes refined; 217 00:10:08,740 --> 00:10:11,740 whoever studies arithmetic, his judgment becomes sound; 218 00:10:11,740 --> 00:10:13,740 and whoever does not guard his own soul, 219 00:10:13,740 --> 00:10:15,740 his knowledge will not benefit him.'" 220 00:10:15,740 --> 00:10:17,840 Al-Rabi' said, 221 00:10:17,840 --> 00:10:19,840 "I heard Al-Shafi'i say: 222 00:10:19,840 --> 00:10:24,840 'Disputation in religion hardens the heart and breeds rancor.'" 223 00:10:24,840 --> 00:10:26,840 Al-Rabi' also said, 224 00:10:26,840 --> 00:10:29,840 "I heard Al-Shafi'i say: 225 00:10:29,840 --> 00:10:32,840 'I wish that people would learn this knowledge'— 226 00:10:32,840 --> 00:10:34,840 meaning his books— 227 00:10:34,840 --> 00:10:37,840 'on the condition that nothing of it be attributed to me.'" 228 00:10:37,840 --> 00:10:39,840 Harmalah said, 229 00:10:39,840 --> 00:10:41,840 "I heard Al-Shafi'i say: 230 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:44,840 'I wish that all the knowledge I know 231 00:10:44,840 --> 00:10:46,840 were learned by the people, 232 00:10:46,840 --> 00:10:49,840 such that I would be rewarded for it without them praising me.'" 233 00:10:49,840 --> 00:10:52,940 'Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, 234 00:10:53,940 --> 00:10:56,940 "I heard Muhammad ibn Dawud say: 235 00:10:56,940 --> 00:10:59,940 'It was never recorded throughout Al-Shafi'i's entire era 236 00:10:59,940 --> 00:11:02,940 that he spoke regarding any of the stray desires, 237 00:11:02,940 --> 00:11:05,940 nor was any such thing attributed to him or known of him, 238 00:11:05,940 --> 00:11:08,940 despite his intense hatred for the people of theological rhetoric (*kalam*) and innovation.'" 239 00:11:08,940 --> 00:11:11,029 Al-Shafi'i said, 240 00:11:11,029 --> 00:11:13,029 "My ruling regarding the people of speculative theology 241 00:11:13,029 --> 00:11:15,029 is that they be beaten with palm branches, 242 00:11:15,029 --> 00:11:17,029 mounted upon camels, 243 00:11:17,029 --> 00:11:19,029 and paraded among the tribes, 244 00:11:19,029 --> 00:11:21,029 with it being announced over them: 245 00:11:21,029 --> 00:11:24,029 'This is the recompense of whoever abandons the Book and the Sunnah 246 00:11:24,029 --> 00:11:26,029 and turns toward speculative theology!'" 247 00:11:26,029 --> 00:11:29,100 Abu 'Abd al-Rahman al-Ash'ari, 248 00:11:29,100 --> 00:11:31,100 the companion of Al-Shafi'i, reported that 249 00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:33,100 Al-Shafi'i said: 250 00:11:33,100 --> 00:11:35,100 "My position regarding the people of speculative theology 251 00:11:35,100 --> 00:11:38,100 is that their heads be covered with whips 252 00:11:38,100 --> 00:11:40,100 and that they be banished across the land." 253 00:11:40,100 --> 00:11:44,129 I say: Perhaps this attitude is recurrently transmitted (*mutawatir*) from the Imam. 254 00:11:44,129 --> 00:11:46,159 Al-Muzani said, 255 00:11:46,159 --> 00:11:50,159 "Al-Shafi'i used to forbid delving into speculative theology." 256 00:11:50,159 --> 00:11:53,320 Muhammad ibn Ishaq ibn Khuzaymah said, 257 00:11:53,320 --> 00:11:56,320 "I heard Al-Rabi' say: 258 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:59,320 'When Al-Shafi'i debated Hafs al-Fard, 259 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:01,320 Hafs said: 260 00:12:01,320 --> 00:12:03,320 "The Qur'an is created." 261 00:12:03,320 --> 00:12:05,320 So Al-Shafi'i said to him: 262 00:12:05,320 --> 00:12:07,320 "You have disbelieved in Allah the Almighty!"'" 263 00:12:07,320 --> 00:12:09,419 Al-Buwayti said, 264 00:12:09,419 --> 00:12:11,419 "I asked Al-Shafi'i: 265 00:12:11,419 --> 00:12:13,419 'Should I pray behind a Rafidite?' 266 00:12:13,419 --> 00:12:15,419 He said: 267 00:12:15,419 --> 00:12:17,419 'Do not pray behind a Rafidite, 268 00:12:17,419 --> 00:12:19,419 nor a Qadarite, nor a Murji'ite.' 269 00:12:19,419 --> 00:12:21,419 I said, 'Describe them to us.' 270 00:12:21,419 --> 00:12:23,419 He said: 271 00:12:23,419 --> 00:12:25,419 'Whoever says that faith (*iman*) consists only of speech 272 00:12:25,419 --> 00:12:26,419 is a Murji'ite; 273 00:12:26,419 --> 00:12:30,419 whoever says that Abu Bakr and 'Umar were not Imams 274 00:12:30,419 --> 00:12:32,419 is a Rafidite; 275 00:12:32,419 --> 00:12:35,419 and whoever ascribes ultimate divine will to himself 276 00:12:35,419 --> 00:12:37,450 is a Qadarite.'" 277 00:12:37,450 --> 00:12:38,450 Al-Rabi' said, 278 00:12:38,450 --> 00:12:40,450 "Al-Shafi'i said to me: 279 00:12:40,450 --> 00:12:44,450 'If I wished to write a book against every opponent, 280 00:12:44,450 --> 00:12:45,450 I could have done so, 281 00:12:45,450 --> 00:12:48,450 but theological debate is not my concern, 282 00:12:48,450 --> 00:12:52,450 and I do not like for any of it to be attributed to me.'" 283 00:12:52,450 --> 00:12:53,450 I say: 284 00:12:53,450 --> 00:12:57,450 This pure, pious disposition is widely corroborated (*mutawatir*) from Al-Shafi'i. 285 00:12:57,450 --> 00:13:00,480 'Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal said, 286 00:13:00,480 --> 00:13:02,480 "I heard my father say: 287 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,480 'Al-Shafi'i said: 288 00:13:04,480 --> 00:13:07,480 "You are more knowledgeable than us regarding authentic narrations; 289 00:13:07,480 --> 00:13:10,480 so if there is an authentic report, 290 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,610 inform me of it so that I may adopt it."'" 291 00:13:13,610 --> 00:13:15,610 Harmalah said, 292 00:13:15,610 --> 00:13:16,610 "Al-Shafi'i said: 293 00:13:16,610 --> 00:13:18,610 'Everything I have said— 294 00:13:18,610 --> 00:13:21,610 if there is a report from the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 295 00:13:21,610 --> 00:13:24,610 contrary to my statement that is authentic, 296 00:13:24,610 --> 00:13:25,610 then it takes precedence, 297 00:13:25,610 --> 00:13:27,610 and do not blindly follow me.'" 298 00:13:27,610 --> 00:13:29,610 A man said to him, 299 00:13:29,610 --> 00:13:32,610 "Do you adopt this hadith, O Abu 'Abdullah?" 300 00:13:32,610 --> 00:13:34,610 He replied, 301 00:13:34,610 --> 00:13:37,610 "Whenever I narrate an authentic hadith from the Messenger of Allah 302 00:13:37,610 --> 00:13:39,610 and do not adopt it, 303 00:13:39,610 --> 00:13:42,669 I bear witness to you that my intellect has departed!" 304 00:13:42,669 --> 00:13:44,669 Al-Humaydi said, 305 00:13:44,669 --> 00:13:47,669 "Al-Shafi'i narrated a hadith one day, 306 00:13:47,669 --> 00:13:48,669 so I asked, 307 00:13:48,669 --> 00:13:49,669 'Do you adopt it?' 308 00:13:49,669 --> 00:13:50,669 He replied, 309 00:13:50,669 --> 00:13:53,669 'Have you seen me coming out of a church 310 00:13:53,669 --> 00:13:55,669 or wearing the attire of the Zoroastrians, 311 00:13:55,669 --> 00:13:59,669 such that if I hear a hadith from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, 312 00:13:59,669 --> 00:14:02,669 I would not hold by it?'" 313 00:14:02,669 --> 00:14:04,669 And it is reported that he said, 314 00:14:04,669 --> 00:14:07,669 "If the hadith is authentic, then it is my school of thought (*madhhab*)." 315 00:14:07,669 --> 00:14:09,669 "And if the hadith is authentic, 316 00:14:09,669 --> 00:14:11,669 cast my statement against the wall!" 317 00:14:12,830 --> 00:14:14,830 Al-Rabi' ibn Sulayman said, 318 00:14:14,830 --> 00:14:17,830 "Al-Shafi'i divided the night into three parts: 319 00:14:17,830 --> 00:14:19,830 in the first third he would write, 320 00:14:19,830 --> 00:14:21,830 in the second he would pray, 321 00:14:21,830 --> 00:14:23,830 and in the third he would sleep." 322 00:14:23,830 --> 00:14:24,830 I say: 323 00:14:24,830 --> 00:14:28,899 All three of his actions were acts of worship through righteous intention. 324 00:14:28,899 --> 00:14:30,899 Al-Karabisi said, 325 00:14:30,899 --> 00:14:33,899 "I spent a night with Al-Shafi'i, 326 00:14:33,899 --> 00:14:36,899 and he used to pray for about a third of the night. 327 00:14:36,899 --> 00:14:39,899 I never saw him recite more than fifty verses; 328 00:14:39,899 --> 00:14:42,899 and if he recited a lot, it would be a hundred verses. 329 00:14:42,899 --> 00:14:45,899 He would not pass by a verse of mercy 330 00:14:45,899 --> 00:14:47,899 without asking Allah for it, 331 00:14:47,899 --> 00:14:49,899 nor by a verse of punishment 332 00:14:49,899 --> 00:14:51,899 without seeking refuge with Him, 333 00:14:51,899 --> 00:14:55,899 as though hope and fear were fully combined within him." 334 00:14:55,899 --> 00:14:57,899 Al-Rabi' ibn Sulayman said, 335 00:14:57,899 --> 00:14:58,899 reported via two chains of transmission from him, 336 00:14:58,899 --> 00:15:00,899 or even more: 337 00:15:00,899 --> 00:15:02,899 "Al-Shafi'i used to complete the recitation of the Qur'an 338 00:15:02,899 --> 00:15:05,929 sixty times during the month of Ramadan." 339 00:15:05,929 --> 00:15:07,929 'Umar ibn Sawad said, 340 00:15:07,929 --> 00:15:12,929 "Al-Shafi'i was the most generous of people with gold coins, silver coins, and food." 341 00:15:12,929 --> 00:15:14,929 Abu Thawr said, 342 00:15:14,929 --> 00:15:17,929 "Rarely did Al-Shafi'i hold onto anything, 343 00:15:17,929 --> 00:15:19,929 owing to his immense generosity." 344 00:15:19,929 --> 00:15:21,929 Al-Rabi' said, 345 00:15:21,929 --> 00:15:24,929 "A man held the stirrup for Al-Shafi'i, 346 00:15:24,929 --> 00:15:25,929 so he said to me: 347 00:15:25,929 --> 00:15:28,929 'Give him four dinars.'" 348 00:15:28,929 --> 00:15:30,960 Al-Muzani said, 349 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:32,960 "I was with Al-Shafi'i one day, 350 00:15:32,960 --> 00:15:33,960 and as we went out, 351 00:15:33,960 --> 00:15:36,960 there was a man shooting with an Arabian bow. 352 00:15:36,960 --> 00:15:39,960 Al-Shafi'i stood watching him, 353 00:15:39,960 --> 00:15:41,960 for he was an excellent marksman, 354 00:15:41,960 --> 00:15:43,960 hitting the mark with several arrows. 355 00:15:43,960 --> 00:15:45,960 Al-Shafi'i said: 356 00:15:45,960 --> 00:15:46,960 'Well done!' 357 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:48,960 and prayed for blessings upon him. 358 00:15:48,960 --> 00:15:49,960 Then he said: 359 00:15:49,960 --> 00:15:52,960 'Give him three dinars.'" 360 00:15:52,960 --> 00:15:55,059 Al-Rabi' said, 361 00:15:55,059 --> 00:15:58,059 "Al-Shafi'i was passing by the shoemakers 362 00:15:58,059 --> 00:16:00,059 when his whip fell. 363 00:16:00,059 --> 00:16:01,059 A young boy rushed forward, 364 00:16:01,059 --> 00:16:04,059 wiped it with his sleeve, and handed it to him, 365 00:16:04,059 --> 00:16:07,059 so he gave him seven dinars." 366 00:16:07,059 --> 00:16:09,059 Al-Rabi' said, 367 00:16:09,059 --> 00:16:10,059 "I got married, 368 00:16:10,059 --> 00:16:12,059 so Al-Shafi'i asked me, 369 00:16:12,059 --> 00:16:13,059 'How much dowry did you give her?' 370 00:16:13,059 --> 00:16:14,059 I said, 371 00:16:14,059 --> 00:16:16,059 'Thirty dinars, 372 00:16:16,059 --> 00:16:18,059 six of which I paid upfront.' 373 00:16:18,059 --> 00:16:22,059 So he gave me twenty-four dinars." 374 00:16:22,059 --> 00:16:24,059 Al-Rabi' said, 375 00:16:24,059 --> 00:16:26,059 "I was walking behind Al-Shafi'i 376 00:16:26,059 --> 00:16:28,059 when a man handed him a note 377 00:16:28,059 --> 00:16:30,059 in which he wrote: 378 00:16:30,059 --> 00:16:32,059 'I am a grocer; 379 00:16:32,059 --> 00:16:34,059 my capital is one dirham, 380 00:16:34,059 --> 00:16:35,059 and I have gotten married, 381 00:16:35,059 --> 00:16:37,059 so please assist me.' 382 00:16:37,059 --> 00:16:39,059 He said, 'O Rabi', 383 00:16:39,059 --> 00:16:41,059 give him thirty dinars.' 384 00:16:41,059 --> 00:16:42,059 I said, 385 00:16:42,059 --> 00:16:45,059 'Ten dirhams would be enough for him!' 386 00:16:45,059 --> 00:16:47,059 He said, 'Woe to you! 387 00:16:47,059 --> 00:16:50,059 What will thirty dinars do for him? 388 00:16:50,059 --> 00:16:52,059 Will it cover this or that?' 389 00:16:52,059 --> 00:16:55,059 And he began enumerating what he needed for his household setup. 390 00:16:55,059 --> 00:16:57,059 Then he said, 391 00:16:57,059 --> 00:16:58,059 'Give it to him.'" 392 00:16:58,059 --> 00:17:01,059 Al-Zubayr ibn Sulayman al-Qurashi narrated 393 00:17:01,059 --> 00:17:03,059 that Al-Shafi'i said: 394 00:17:03,059 --> 00:17:05,059 "Harthamah came out 395 00:17:05,059 --> 00:17:08,059 and conveyed to me the greetings of the Commander of the Faithful, Harun, 396 00:17:08,059 --> 00:17:10,059 saying: 397 00:17:10,059 --> 00:17:13,059 'He has ordered five thousand dinars for you.'" 398 00:17:13,059 --> 00:17:15,059 Al-Qurashi said: 399 00:17:15,059 --> 00:17:17,059 So the wealth was brought to him. 400 00:17:17,059 --> 00:17:19,059 So he took some parchment scraps. 401 00:17:19,059 --> 00:17:20,059 Tie up coin pouches. 402 00:17:20,059 --> 00:17:22,059 And he distributed it among the Quraysh. 403 00:17:22,059 --> 00:17:24,059 He did not even return to his home. 404 00:17:24,059 --> 00:17:27,059 except for less than a hundred dinars. 405 00:17:27,059 --> 00:17:29,059 Ibn 'Abd al-Hakam said, 406 00:17:29,059 --> 00:17:32,059 Al-Shafi'i was the most generous of people with whatever he possessed. 407 00:17:32,059 --> 00:17:34,059 He used to pass by us. 408 00:17:34,059 --> 00:17:37,059 If he finds me, then so be it; otherwise, he will say: 409 00:17:37,059 --> 00:17:41,059 Tell Muhammad that when he arrives, he should come to the house. 410 00:17:41,059 --> 00:17:44,059 For I do not eat lunch until he comes. 411 00:17:44,059 --> 00:17:47,119 And it is narrated from al-Shafi'i that he said 412 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:49,119 What a wretched provision for the journey to the Hereafter. 413 00:17:49,119 --> 00:17:52,119 Transgression against the servants of Allah. 414 00:17:52,119 --> 00:17:54,119 Yunus al-Sadafi said: 415 00:17:54,119 --> 00:17:56,119 Al-Shafi'i said to me 416 00:17:56,119 --> 00:17:59,119 There is no path to safety from the criticism of people. 417 00:17:59,119 --> 00:18:03,150 Therefore, look to that which contains your well-being and adhere to it. 418 00:18:03,150 --> 00:18:05,150 And regarding al-Shafi'i, he said: 419 00:18:05,150 --> 00:18:08,150 If you fear that your deeds might lead you to self-admiration, 420 00:18:08,150 --> 00:18:10,150 So, remember the pleasure of the One whom you seek. 421 00:18:10,150 --> 00:18:12,150 And in what state of bliss do you dwell? 422 00:18:12,150 --> 00:18:15,150 And from what punishment do you fear? 423 00:18:15,150 --> 00:18:17,150 Whoever reflects upon that 424 00:18:17,150 --> 00:18:19,150 His own deeds appeared insignificant in his eyes. 425 00:18:19,150 --> 00:18:22,220 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn Mahdi wrote 426 00:18:22,220 --> 00:18:24,220 to al-Shafi'i while he was still a young man. 427 00:18:24,220 --> 00:18:28,220 That he should compile for him a book containing the meanings of the Qur'an. 428 00:18:28,220 --> 00:18:30,220 It also encompasses the acceptance of reports. 429 00:18:30,220 --> 00:18:32,220 And the proof of consensus (ijma'). 430 00:18:32,220 --> 00:18:34,220 And the clarification of the abrogating and the abrogated [verses]. 431 00:18:34,220 --> 00:18:37,220 Then, draft a written treatise for him. 432 00:18:37,220 --> 00:18:40,380 'Abd al-Rahman Ibn Mahdi said: 433 00:18:40,380 --> 00:18:42,380 I do not perform a prayer 434 00:18:42,380 --> 00:18:45,380 There is not a single one in which I do not pray for al-Shafi'i. 435 00:18:45,380 --> 00:18:48,380 And Al-Harith Ibn Surayj said: 436 00:18:48,380 --> 00:18:51,380 I heard Yahya al-Qattan say: 437 00:18:51,380 --> 00:18:53,380 I pray to Allah for al-Shafi'i. 438 00:18:53,380 --> 00:18:55,380 I single him out for it. 439 00:18:55,380 --> 00:18:57,380 And Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said 440 00:18:57,380 --> 00:19:00,380 There are six people for whom I pray at dawn. 441 00:19:00,380 --> 00:19:02,380 One of them is al-Shafi'i. 442 00:19:02,380 --> 00:19:03,380 He said: 443 00:19:03,380 --> 00:19:05,380 I truly pray for al-Shafi'i. 444 00:19:05,380 --> 00:19:08,380 For forty years, I have been performing my prayer. 445 00:19:08,380 --> 00:19:11,500 And Abdullah Ibn Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said: 446 00:19:11,500 --> 00:19:13,500 I said to my father 447 00:19:13,500 --> 00:19:15,500 What a remarkable man al-Shafi'i was. 448 00:19:15,500 --> 00:19:19,500 For I have heard you frequently supplicating on his behalf. 449 00:19:19,500 --> 00:19:21,500 He said, "O my son." 450 00:19:21,500 --> 00:19:23,500 He was like the sun to the world. 451 00:19:23,500 --> 00:19:25,500 And it is like well-being for the people. 452 00:19:25,500 --> 00:19:27,500 Do these two have any successors? 453 00:19:27,500 --> 00:19:29,500 Or a substitute for either of them. 454 00:19:29,500 --> 00:19:31,569 Abu Dawud said: 455 00:19:31,569 --> 00:19:33,569 I have never seen Abu 'Abdullah. 456 00:19:33,569 --> 00:19:35,569 This refers to Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. 457 00:19:35,569 --> 00:19:37,569 He leans toward one of them. 458 00:19:37,569 --> 00:19:39,569 His inclination toward the school of al-Shafi'i. 459 00:19:39,569 --> 00:19:42,660 Qutaybah Ibn Sa'id said: 460 00:19:42,660 --> 00:19:45,660 With the passing of al-Thawri, piety itself has passed away. 461 00:19:45,660 --> 00:19:48,660 Al-Shafi'i passed away, and with him, many of the Sunnah died out. 462 00:19:48,660 --> 00:19:50,660 And Ahmad Ibn Hanbal passed away. 463 00:19:50,660 --> 00:19:52,660 And innovations in religion begin to appear. 464 00:19:52,660 --> 00:19:54,660 Ahmad Ibn Hanbal said: 465 00:19:54,660 --> 00:19:56,660 Indeed, Allah appoints for the people 466 00:19:56,660 --> 00:19:58,660 At the beginning of every century. 467 00:19:58,660 --> 00:20:00,660 Who will teach them the Sunnah? 468 00:20:00,660 --> 00:20:02,660 And he refutes [the false attributions made] against the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 469 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:04,660 May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, [who warned against] lying. 470 00:20:04,660 --> 00:20:06,660 Then Ahmad said 471 00:20:06,660 --> 00:20:08,660 So we looked. 472 00:20:08,660 --> 00:20:10,660 And so, at the turn of the century, 473 00:20:10,660 --> 00:20:12,660 Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz 474 00:20:12,660 --> 00:20:14,660 And at the turn of the second century 475 00:20:14,660 --> 00:20:16,730 Al-Shafi'i 476 00:20:16,730 --> 00:20:18,730 Al-Shafi'i said: 477 00:20:18,730 --> 00:20:21,730 It is as if I saw a man from among the scholars of hadith. 478 00:20:21,730 --> 00:20:24,730 It is as if I saw a man from among the Companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 479 00:20:24,730 --> 00:20:26,730 May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 480 00:20:26,730 --> 00:20:28,730 May Allah reward them with goodness. 481 00:20:28,730 --> 00:20:30,730 They preserved the original source for us. 482 00:20:30,730 --> 00:20:32,730 They possess a merit over us. 483 00:20:32,730 --> 00:20:34,730 Abu Zur'ah said: 484 00:20:34,730 --> 00:20:36,730 What is held by al-Shafi'i. 485 00:20:36,730 --> 00:20:38,890 A hadith that contains an error. 486 00:20:38,890 --> 00:20:40,890 Abu Dawud al-Sijistani said: 487 00:20:40,890 --> 00:20:42,890 I am not aware of any [opinion] for al-Shafi'i 488 00:20:42,890 --> 00:20:44,890 A mistaken hadith. 489 00:20:44,890 --> 00:20:46,920 I said 490 00:20:46,920 --> 00:20:48,920 There is nothing that serves as a clearer indication that it is 491 00:20:48,920 --> 00:20:50,920 He is a trustworthy authority and a master memorizer. 492 00:20:50,920 --> 00:20:52,920 And suffice it for you to consider the statement of 493 00:20:52,920 --> 00:20:54,920 Like these. 494 00:20:54,920 --> 00:20:56,920 The Hafiz Abu Bakr has authored 495 00:20:56,920 --> 00:20:58,920 The orator authored a book regarding the establishment of 496 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:00,920 Citing Imam al-Shafi'i as an authority. 497 00:21:00,920 --> 00:21:02,920 And that which he spoke about. 498 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:04,920 Except for the envious or the ignorant. 499 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:06,920 in his state, and thus it was. 500 00:21:06,920 --> 00:21:08,920 The false speech coming from them 501 00:21:08,920 --> 00:21:10,920 which necessitates the elevation of his status. 502 00:21:10,920 --> 00:21:12,920 And the loftiness of his status. 503 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:14,920 Such is the way of Allah with His servants. 504 00:21:14,920 --> 00:21:16,920 O you who have believed 505 00:21:16,920 --> 00:21:18,920 Believe, and do not be 506 00:21:18,920 --> 00:21:20,920 Like those who caused harm 507 00:21:20,920 --> 00:21:22,920 Musa, so they were righteous toward Allah. 508 00:21:22,920 --> 00:21:24,920 Among what they said: 509 00:21:24,920 --> 00:21:26,920 And he was in the presence of 510 00:21:26,920 --> 00:21:28,920 Allah has made him a person of high standing. 511 00:21:28,920 --> 00:21:30,920 Ahmad said 512 00:21:30,920 --> 00:21:32,920 Ibn Hanbal was 513 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:34,920 Al-Shafi'i was among the most eloquent of people. 514 00:21:34,920 --> 00:21:36,920 And Yunus Ibn 'Abd al-A'la said: 515 00:21:36,920 --> 00:21:38,920 The highest [state] is what was. 516 00:21:38,920 --> 00:21:40,920 Al-Shafi'i said, "He is nothing but a sorcerer." 517 00:21:40,920 --> 00:21:42,920 It is as if its very words were sugar. 518 00:21:42,920 --> 00:21:44,920 He had been endowed with a sweetness of speech. 519 00:21:44,920 --> 00:21:46,920 Logic and eloquent expression. 520 00:21:46,920 --> 00:21:48,920 And his exceptional intelligence. 521 00:21:48,920 --> 00:21:50,920 And a fluidity of mind. 522 00:21:50,920 --> 00:21:52,920 And the perfection of eloquence 523 00:21:52,920 --> 00:21:54,980 And the attendance of the Hajj 524 00:21:54,980 --> 00:21:56,980 Ahmad Ibn Salih said: 525 00:21:56,980 --> 00:21:58,980 Whenever al-Shafi'i spoke, 526 00:21:58,980 --> 00:22:00,980 It was as if his voice were the voice of 527 00:22:00,980 --> 00:22:02,980 A cymbal and a bell. 528 00:22:02,980 --> 00:22:04,980 From the beauty of his voice 529 00:22:04,980 --> 00:22:06,980 Abu Nu'aym ibn 'Adi said: 530 00:22:06,980 --> 00:22:08,980 The Hafiz 531 00:22:08,980 --> 00:22:10,980 I heard al-Rabi‘ say repeatedly: 532 00:22:10,980 --> 00:22:12,980 Al-Shafi'i, and the excellence of his exposition. 533 00:22:12,980 --> 00:22:14,980 And one would truly marvel at his eloquence. 534 00:22:14,980 --> 00:22:16,980 Even if he were to write a thousand 535 00:22:16,980 --> 00:22:18,980 These books are in their original Arabic. 536 00:22:18,980 --> 00:22:20,980 which he used to speak about 537 00:22:20,980 --> 00:22:22,980 with us in the debate. 538 00:22:22,980 --> 00:22:24,980 We were unable to read his books. 539 00:22:24,980 --> 00:22:26,980 Due to his eloquence. 540 00:22:26,980 --> 00:22:28,980 And the rare and unusual expressions found within it. 541 00:22:28,980 --> 00:22:30,980 However, in his compilation, he was 542 00:22:30,980 --> 00:22:33,049 He clarifies matters for the common people. 543 00:22:33,049 --> 00:22:35,049 Al-Rabi' Ibn Sulayman said: 544 00:22:35,049 --> 00:22:37,049 The tongue of al-Shafi'i was like a sharp sword. 545 00:22:37,049 --> 00:22:39,049 The greatest of those who recorded it. 546 00:22:39,049 --> 00:22:41,049 Had you seen him, you would have said: 547 00:22:41,049 --> 00:22:43,049 Indeed, these are not his books. 548 00:22:43,049 --> 00:22:45,079 And ‘Abd al-Malik said 549 00:22:45,079 --> 00:22:47,079 Ibn Hisham, the linguist. 550 00:22:47,079 --> 00:22:49,079 Our sitting together has become long. 551 00:22:49,079 --> 00:22:51,079 Regarding al-Shafi'i, I have never heard 552 00:22:51,079 --> 00:22:53,369 He never once spoke with a grammatical error. 553 00:22:53,369 --> 00:22:55,369 I said, "How can this be?" 554 00:22:55,369 --> 00:22:57,369 That, and the like of it. 555 00:22:57,369 --> 00:22:59,369 He is cited as the proverbial example of eloquence. 556 00:22:59,369 --> 00:23:01,369 He was the most eloquent of the Quraysh. 557 00:23:01,369 --> 00:23:03,369 during his time 558 00:23:03,369 --> 00:23:05,369 And among the things that were taken from him 559 00:23:05,369 --> 00:23:07,400 Regarding the language, Ahmad said: 560 00:23:07,400 --> 00:23:09,400 Abu Surayj al-Razi 561 00:23:09,400 --> 00:23:11,400 I have never seen anyone more eloquent than him. 562 00:23:11,400 --> 00:23:13,400 And there is no one more articulate than al-Shafi'i. 563 00:23:13,400 --> 00:23:15,529 Al-Asma'i said: 564 00:23:15,529 --> 00:23:17,529 I took a lock of his hair. 565 00:23:17,529 --> 00:23:19,529 On the authority of al-Shafi'i 566 00:23:19,529 --> 00:23:21,529 Al-Zubayr Ibn Bakkar said: 567 00:23:21,529 --> 00:23:23,529 I took a lock of his hair. 568 00:23:23,529 --> 00:23:25,529 And its events, as narrated by my uncle. 569 00:23:25,529 --> 00:23:27,529 Mus'ab ibn 'Abdullah 570 00:23:27,529 --> 00:23:29,529 And he said, "I have taken it." 571 00:23:29,529 --> 00:23:31,529 From the memorization of al-Shafi'i. 572 00:23:31,529 --> 00:23:33,529 Ibn 'Abd al-Hakam said: 573 00:23:33,529 --> 00:23:35,529 I have never seen al-Shafi'i engage in a debate. 574 00:23:35,529 --> 00:23:37,529 except for His mercy. 575 00:23:37,529 --> 00:23:39,529 If you were to see al-Shafi'i debating you 576 00:23:39,529 --> 00:23:41,529 I would have thought that he 577 00:23:41,529 --> 00:23:43,529 Seven things will consume you. 578 00:23:43,529 --> 00:23:45,529 He is the One who taught people the proofs. 579 00:23:45,529 --> 00:23:47,619 And on the authority of Harun Ibn Sa'id 580 00:23:47,619 --> 00:23:49,619 Al-Ayli said: 581 00:23:49,619 --> 00:23:51,619 If al-Shafi'i were to debate 582 00:23:51,619 --> 00:23:53,619 On the basis that this pillar 583 00:23:53,619 --> 00:23:55,619 The stone is wood, for the most part. 584 00:23:55,619 --> 00:23:57,619 Due to his aptitude for scholarly debate. 585 00:23:57,619 --> 00:23:59,619 Ibn Wara said: 586 00:23:59,619 --> 00:24:01,619 I have arrived from Egypt. 587 00:24:01,619 --> 00:24:03,619 So I came to Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. 588 00:24:03,619 --> 00:24:05,619 He then said to me 589 00:24:05,619 --> 00:24:07,619 The books of al-Shafi'i were written. 590 00:24:07,619 --> 00:24:09,619 I said, "No." 591 00:24:09,619 --> 00:24:11,619 He said, "I am your predecessor." 592 00:24:11,619 --> 00:24:13,619 We did not distinguish between the general and the specific. 593 00:24:13,619 --> 00:24:15,619 And the abrogating hadith from the abrogated one. 594 00:24:15,619 --> 00:24:17,619 Until we sat in the company of al-Shafi'i. 595 00:24:17,619 --> 00:24:19,660 He said 596 00:24:19,660 --> 00:24:21,660 This compelled me to return. 597 00:24:21,660 --> 00:24:23,660 to Egypt, and I wrote it down. 598 00:24:23,660 --> 00:24:25,660 Muhammad ibn [name] said: 599 00:24:25,660 --> 00:24:27,660 Ya'qub al-Faraji 600 00:24:27,660 --> 00:24:29,660 I heard ‘Ali Ibn al-Madini say: 601 00:24:29,660 --> 00:24:31,660 He says: "I enjoin upon you..." 602 00:24:31,660 --> 00:24:33,750 Regarding al-Shafi'i. 603 00:24:33,750 --> 00:24:35,750 I said, and among some of the disciplines 604 00:24:35,750 --> 00:24:37,750 This Imam, the physician of the hearts, is the one who... 605 00:24:37,750 --> 00:24:39,750 For he used to teach it to him. 606 00:24:39,750 --> 00:24:41,779 Al-Rabi' said: 607 00:24:41,779 --> 00:24:43,779 I heard al-Shafi'i say: 608 00:24:43,779 --> 00:24:45,779 I do not know of any knowledge 609 00:24:45,779 --> 00:24:47,779 Beyond the matters of the lawful and the prohibited. 610 00:24:47,779 --> 00:24:49,779 More complete than medicine. 611 00:24:49,779 --> 00:24:51,779 However, the People of the Book have surpassed us. 612 00:24:51,779 --> 00:24:53,849 upon him. 613 00:24:53,849 --> 00:24:55,849 Mus'ab Ibn 'Abdullah said: 614 00:24:55,849 --> 00:24:57,849 I have never seen anyone more knowledgeable. 615 00:24:57,849 --> 00:24:59,849 regarding the history and annals of the people, as narrated by al-Shafi'i. 616 00:24:59,849 --> 00:25:01,910 Yunus al-Sadafi said: 617 00:25:01,910 --> 00:25:03,910 Al-Shafi'i used to 618 00:25:03,910 --> 00:25:05,910 When he begins during the days of the people. 619 00:25:05,910 --> 00:25:07,910 I said, this is his craft. 620 00:25:07,910 --> 00:25:09,910 And Imam Ibn [al-Jawzi/Kathir/etc.] transmitted 621 00:25:09,910 --> 00:25:11,910 Surayj, citing some of the genealogists. 622 00:25:11,910 --> 00:25:13,910 He said, "It was..." 623 00:25:13,910 --> 00:25:15,910 Al-Shafi'i was among those most knowledgeable regarding lineages. 624 00:25:15,910 --> 00:25:17,910 They have gathered together. 625 00:25:17,910 --> 00:25:19,910 with him that night 626 00:25:19,910 --> 00:25:21,910 So remind them of the lineages of the women. 627 00:25:21,910 --> 00:25:23,910 until the morning 628 00:25:23,910 --> 00:25:25,910 And he spoke regarding the lineages of men. 629 00:25:25,910 --> 00:25:27,940 Everyone is familiar with it. 630 00:25:27,940 --> 00:25:29,940 And regarding al-Shafi'i, he said: 631 00:25:29,940 --> 00:25:31,940 That was not my intention. 632 00:25:31,940 --> 00:25:33,940 This refers to the Arabic language and the reports of the hadiths. 633 00:25:33,940 --> 00:25:35,940 Except for seeking help from Allah. 634 00:25:35,940 --> 00:25:37,940 regarding fiqh 635 00:25:37,940 --> 00:25:39,940 Yunus Ibn 'Abd al-A'la said: 636 00:25:39,940 --> 00:25:41,940 I have never seen anyone who has met... 637 00:25:41,940 --> 00:25:43,940 Among the afflictions was what al-Shafi'i endured. 638 00:25:43,940 --> 00:25:45,940 So I entered upon him. 639 00:25:45,940 --> 00:25:47,940 He then said, "Recite what follows." 640 00:25:47,940 --> 00:25:49,940 The one hundred and twentieth verse of Surah Al 'Imran. 641 00:25:49,940 --> 00:25:51,940 So I read it. 642 00:25:51,940 --> 00:25:53,940 So when I stood up 643 00:25:53,940 --> 00:25:55,940 He said, "Do not be heedless of me." 644 00:25:55,940 --> 00:25:57,940 For I am in distress. 645 00:25:57,940 --> 00:25:59,940 Yunus said: 646 00:25:59,940 --> 00:26:01,940 We were concerned with my recitation of what the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, had encountered. 647 00:26:01,940 --> 00:26:03,940 Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 648 00:26:03,940 --> 00:26:05,980 and his Companions 649 00:26:05,980 --> 00:26:07,980 Al-Muzani said: 650 00:26:07,980 --> 00:26:09,980 I visited al-Shafi'i during his final illness. 651 00:26:09,980 --> 00:26:11,980 In which he passed away. 652 00:26:11,980 --> 00:26:13,980 So I said, "O Abu 'Abd Allah." 653 00:26:13,980 --> 00:26:15,980 How have you fared this morning? 654 00:26:15,980 --> 00:26:17,980 He raised his head and said: 655 00:26:17,980 --> 00:26:19,980 I have become one who is departing from this world. 656 00:26:19,980 --> 00:26:21,980 And for my brothers, there is separation. 657 00:26:21,980 --> 00:26:23,980 And due to my evil deeds, I shall meet Him. 658 00:26:23,980 --> 00:26:25,980 And may he arrive before Allah. 659 00:26:25,980 --> 00:26:27,980 I do not know. 660 00:26:27,980 --> 00:26:29,980 My soul shall depart unto Paradise. 661 00:26:29,980 --> 00:26:31,980 So I congratulate her. 662 00:26:31,980 --> 00:26:33,980 Or to a fire, so I may offer my condolences for it. 663 00:26:33,980 --> 00:26:35,980 Then he wept. 664 00:26:35,980 --> 00:26:37,980 And he began to recite: 665 00:26:37,980 --> 00:26:40,039 And when my heart hardened 666 00:26:40,039 --> 00:26:42,039 And my schools of thought became constrained. 667 00:26:42,039 --> 00:26:44,039 I have placed my hope in none other than You. 668 00:26:44,039 --> 00:26:46,039 Your pardon is a means of peace. 669 00:26:46,039 --> 00:26:48,039 My sin has become too great for me to bear. 670 00:26:48,039 --> 00:26:50,039 Then, when I coupled it with it. 671 00:26:50,039 --> 00:26:52,039 By Your pardon, my Lord. 672 00:26:52,039 --> 00:26:54,039 I seek Your pardon, for it is the greatest of things. 673 00:26:54,039 --> 00:26:56,039 I have remained one who pardons. 674 00:26:56,039 --> 00:26:58,039 Regarding the sin, it does not cease to remain. 675 00:26:58,039 --> 00:27:00,039 He is generous and pardons. 676 00:27:00,039 --> 00:27:02,039 A favor and a manifestation of generosity. 677 00:27:02,039 --> 00:27:04,140 Abu al-'Abbas al-Asamm said: 678 00:27:04,140 --> 00:27:06,140 He narrated to us 679 00:27:06,140 --> 00:27:08,140 Al-Rabi' Ibn Sulayman 680 00:27:08,140 --> 00:27:10,140 I visited al-Shafi'i while he was ill. 681 00:27:10,140 --> 00:27:12,140 He said to me 682 00:27:12,140 --> 00:27:14,140 I wish that all of creation 683 00:27:14,140 --> 00:27:16,140 Study these books. 684 00:27:16,140 --> 00:27:18,140 This refers to the scribes. 685 00:27:18,140 --> 00:27:20,140 On the condition that nothing of it be attributed to me. 686 00:27:20,140 --> 00:27:22,140 He said, "This is Sunday." 687 00:27:22,140 --> 00:27:24,140 And he passed away on Thursday. 688 00:27:24,140 --> 00:27:26,140 And we departed from his funeral. 689 00:27:26,140 --> 00:27:28,140 The night of Jumu'ah 690 00:27:28,140 --> 00:27:30,140 We sighted the crescent moon of Sha'ban. 691 00:27:30,140 --> 00:27:32,140 The year two hundred and four. 692 00:27:32,140 --> 00:27:34,140 And he was over fifty years of age. 693 00:27:34,140 --> 00:27:36,230 Sunnah 694 00:27:36,230 --> 00:27:38,230 The Shaykh al-Islam said: 695 00:27:38,230 --> 00:27:40,230 'Ali ibn Ahmad ibn Yusuf al-Hakkari 696 00:27:40,230 --> 00:27:42,230 In the book of creed 697 00:27:42,230 --> 00:27:44,230 Al-Shafi'i has 698 00:27:44,230 --> 00:27:46,230 Yunus Ibn 'Abd al-A'la said: 699 00:27:46,230 --> 00:27:48,230 I heard Abu 'Abdullah say: 700 00:27:48,230 --> 00:27:50,230 Al-Shafi'i says 701 00:27:50,230 --> 00:27:52,230 He was asked regarding the attributes of Allah. 702 00:27:52,230 --> 00:27:54,230 He, the Exalted, said: 703 00:27:54,230 --> 00:27:56,230 To Allah belong the Most Beautiful Names. 704 00:27:56,230 --> 00:27:58,230 And the characteristics that he brought with him. 705 00:27:58,230 --> 00:28:00,230 His Book, and he informed [the people] of them. 706 00:28:00,230 --> 00:28:02,230 The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 707 00:28:02,230 --> 00:28:04,230 His Ummah is not broad enough to encompass [the entirety of the matter]. 708 00:28:04,230 --> 00:28:06,230 Someone against whom the proof has been established. 709 00:28:06,230 --> 00:28:08,230 ردها لأن القرآن 710 00:28:08,230 --> 00:28:10,230 This was revealed by him, and it is authentic. 711 00:28:10,230 --> 00:28:12,230 From the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 712 00:28:12,230 --> 00:28:14,230 This refers to the statement of the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, regarding it. 713 00:28:14,230 --> 00:28:16,230 If that contradicts it 714 00:28:16,230 --> 00:28:18,230 After the proof has been established against him 715 00:28:18,230 --> 00:28:20,230 He is a disbeliever. 716 00:28:20,230 --> 00:28:22,230 As for before the proof was established 717 00:28:22,230 --> 00:28:24,230 Therefore, he is excused due to ignorance. 718 00:28:24,230 --> 00:28:26,230 Because knowledge of that 719 00:28:26,230 --> 00:28:28,230 It cannot be grasped by intellect alone. 720 00:28:28,230 --> 00:28:30,230 nor by contemplation and thought 721 00:28:30,230 --> 00:28:32,230 We do not declare someone an unbeliever due to ignorance of them. 722 00:28:32,230 --> 00:28:34,230 ...until the end of it. 723 00:28:34,230 --> 00:28:36,230 The report reached him with it. 724 00:28:36,230 --> 00:28:38,230 and we affirm these attributes 725 00:28:38,230 --> 00:28:40,230 and we negate anthropomorphism from Him. 726 00:28:40,230 --> 00:28:42,230 As he negated it from himself 727 00:28:42,230 --> 00:28:44,230 He said, "There is nothing like Him." 728 00:28:44,230 --> 00:28:46,230 something 729 00:28:46,230 --> 00:28:48,460 He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing. 730 00:28:48,460 --> 00:28:50,460 Al-Mubarrad said 731 00:28:50,460 --> 00:28:52,460 Al-Shafi'i was among the most eloquent. 732 00:28:52,460 --> 00:28:54,460 People and the etiquette of dealing with people. 733 00:28:54,460 --> 00:28:56,460 And I know them by their recitations. 734 00:28:56,460 --> 00:28:58,460 And Yunus ibn Abd [al-A'la] said 735 00:28:58,460 --> 00:29:00,460 The Most High 736 00:29:00,460 --> 00:29:02,460 When Al-Shafi'i began to engage in 737 00:29:02,460 --> 00:29:04,460 The Tafsir is as if he witnessed it. 738 00:29:04,460 --> 00:29:06,460 The revelation 739 00:29:06,460 --> 00:29:08,460 Al-Za'farani said 740 00:29:08,460 --> 00:29:10,460 Al-Shafi'i came to us. 741 00:29:10,460 --> 00:29:12,460 Baghdad in the year 95 [AH]. 742 00:29:12,460 --> 00:29:14,460 We have a month, then he went out. 743 00:29:14,460 --> 00:29:16,460 He used to dye his hair with henna. 744 00:29:16,460 --> 00:29:18,460 He had a light complexion. 745 00:29:18,460 --> 00:29:20,460 Ibn Majah said 746 00:29:20,460 --> 00:29:22,460 Yahya ibn Ma'in came. 747 00:29:22,460 --> 00:29:24,460 to Ahmad ibn Hanbal 748 00:29:24,460 --> 00:29:26,460 While he was with him 749 00:29:26,460 --> 00:29:28,460 When Al-Shafi'i passed by 750 00:29:28,460 --> 00:29:30,460 upon his mule 751 00:29:30,460 --> 00:29:32,460 Ahmad then jumped up to greet him. 752 00:29:32,460 --> 00:29:34,460 He followed him, but he was slow. 753 00:29:34,460 --> 00:29:36,460 And Yahya was sitting 754 00:29:36,460 --> 00:29:38,460 When he came 755 00:29:38,460 --> 00:29:40,460 Yahya said, "O Abu Abdullah," 756 00:29:40,460 --> 00:29:42,519 What is this? 757 00:29:42,519 --> 00:29:44,519 He said, "Leave aside..." 758 00:29:44,519 --> 00:29:46,519 This is if you intend 759 00:29:46,519 --> 00:29:48,519 Fiqh, therefore, became obligatory with its consequences. 760 00:29:48,519 --> 00:29:50,519 This man 761 00:29:50,519 --> 00:29:52,519 Ahmad ibn al-'Abbas al-Nasa'i said 762 00:29:52,519 --> 00:29:54,519 I heard Ahmad ibn Hanbal 763 00:29:54,519 --> 00:29:56,519 I cannot count them, and he was saying 764 00:29:56,519 --> 00:29:58,519 Abu Abdullah said 765 00:29:58,519 --> 00:30:00,519 Al-Shafi'i 766 00:30:00,519 --> 00:30:02,519 Then he said, "What did I see..." 767 00:30:02,519 --> 00:30:04,519 No one follows the tradition more closely than 768 00:30:04,519 --> 00:30:06,519 Al-Shafi'i 769 00:30:06,519 --> 00:30:08,519 Yunus ibn 'Abd al-A'la said 770 00:30:08,519 --> 00:30:10,519 I heard Al-Shafi'i say 771 00:30:10,519 --> 00:30:12,519 O Yunus 772 00:30:12,519 --> 00:30:14,519 Withdrawing from people is a means of acquiring [spiritual strength]. 773 00:30:14,519 --> 00:30:16,519 for enmity 774 00:30:16,519 --> 00:30:18,519 And being cheerful with them is a means of attracting them. 775 00:30:18,519 --> 00:30:20,519 For evil companions 776 00:30:20,519 --> 00:30:22,519 So be somewhere between being reserved and being open. 777 00:30:22,519 --> 00:30:24,579 Al-Shafi'i said 778 00:30:24,579 --> 00:30:26,579 Knowledge is what benefits. 779 00:30:26,579 --> 00:30:28,579 True knowledge is not merely what one memorizes. 780 00:30:28,579 --> 00:30:30,579 And he said 781 00:30:30,579 --> 00:30:32,579 The intelligent, discerning person 782 00:30:32,579 --> 00:30:34,579 He is the discerning one who pretends to be unaware. 783 00:30:34,579 --> 00:30:36,579 He said 784 00:30:36,579 --> 00:30:38,579 If I knew that cold water 785 00:30:38,579 --> 00:30:40,579 What I drank diminishes my manliness. 786 00:30:40,579 --> 00:30:42,710 He said 787 00:30:42,710 --> 00:30:44,710 Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Shafi'i 788 00:30:44,710 --> 00:30:46,710 I have not seen anyone 789 00:30:46,710 --> 00:30:48,710 The best prayer, according to Al-Shafi'i. 790 00:30:48,710 --> 00:30:50,710 And that is because 791 00:30:50,710 --> 00:30:52,710 He took from Muslim ibn Khalid. 792 00:30:52,710 --> 00:30:54,710 And Muslim took from Ibn Jurayj 793 00:30:54,710 --> 00:30:56,710 And Ibn Jurayj took 794 00:30:56,710 --> 00:30:58,710 from the giving 795 00:30:58,710 --> 00:31:00,710 and 'Ata' took from Ibn al-Zubayr 796 00:31:00,710 --> 00:31:02,710 and Ibn al-Zubayr took from 797 00:31:02,710 --> 00:31:04,710 Abu Bakr al-Siddiq 798 00:31:04,710 --> 00:31:06,710 and Abu Bakr took from the Prophet 799 00:31:06,710 --> 00:31:08,710 peace and blessings of Allah be upon him 800 00:31:08,710 --> 00:31:10,809 and he enumerated 801 00:31:10,809 --> 00:31:12,809 al-Khatib al-Baghdadi's knowledge 802 00:31:12,809 --> 00:31:14,809 of Imam al-Shafi'i and his virtues 803 00:31:14,809 --> 00:31:16,809 and the reverence of the Imams for him 804 00:31:16,809 --> 00:31:18,809 and he said 805 00:31:18,809 --> 00:31:20,809 Allah willed nothing but to elevate him 806 00:31:20,809 --> 00:31:22,809 and his loftiness 807 00:31:22,809 --> 00:31:24,809 and there is no downfall for him whom the Lord of the Throne has raised 808 00:31:24,809 --> 00:31:25,839 placing him down 809 00:31:25,839 --> 00:31:27,839 I say we are not to be blamed 810 00:31:27,839 --> 00:31:29,839 by Allah for loving this 811 00:31:29,839 --> 00:31:31,839 Imam because he is 812 00:31:31,839 --> 00:31:33,839 one of the men of perfection in his time 813 00:31:33,839 --> 00:31:35,839 may Allah have mercy on him 814 00:31:35,839 --> 00:31:38,640 The biographies of the four Imams