Al-Shafi'i (Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i)

Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i was a prominent Muslim scholar born in 767 CE, known for developing one of the main methods of interpreting Islamic law (Sharia). He emphasized the importance of the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad) as primary sources, but also introduced a systematic approach called "usul al-fiqh" (principles of jurisprudence) for deriving legal rulings. His work laid the foundation for the Shafi'i school of thought, which remains influential in many Muslim communities today. Al-Shafi'i is respected for his intellectual rigor, balanced reasoning, and contributions to the understanding and application of Islamic law.