The Shafi'i Madhab

The Shafi'i school was founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (d. 820 CE), who studied under both Imam Malik and the students of Abu Hanifah.

Methodology

Al-Shafi'i formalized usul al-fiqh (principles of jurisprudence) in his landmark work al-Risalah. His methodology systematically prioritizes Quran, Sunnah, ijma, then qiyas, with strict rules for each.

Geographic Spread

Dominant in East Africa, Southeast Asia, Egypt, Yemen, and parts of the Levant.