Two Misunderstood Statements of Imaam Shaafi’ (Rahmatullahi Alaih)

The Only Inviolable Kitaab

“I have written these Kitaabs (Deeni books) and have ensured that there is no shortcoming from my side. However, mistakes there will certainly be, as Allah Ta’ala declares:

وَلَوْ كَانَ مِنْ عِنْدِ غَيْرِ اللهِ لَوَجَدُوْا فِيْهِ اخْتِلاَفًا كَثِيْرًا
“Had it (the Qur’aan) been from anyone besides Allah,
they would find it replete with inconsistencies.” (Surah An-Nisaa, 82)

So, if you find anything against the Kitaabullah and Sunnah in these Kitaabs of mine then I retract from that.  In fact, I have (already) retracted.”

Personal Opinion Contrary to a Saheeh Hadeeth

“Whatever mas-alah I have enunciated, if there is a Saheeh Hadeeth contrary to what I have said, I retract in my lifetime and after my death.”

[Note: The above two statements of Imaam Shaafi’ (Rahmatullahi alaih) adequately highlight his humility and understanding of the Proofs of the Shariah. The statements are not a licence for people wallowing in jahl (ignorance) and afflicted with humq (stupidity) to pick and choose from the statements of Imaam Shaafi’ at whim and fancy and transmogrify the Shaafi’ Math-hab.

The period of sifting through the Ahadeeth and Aathaar (statements, traditions and directions of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to codify the Shariah of Islam had ended thirteen hundred years ago in the Khairul-Quroon – the glorious and noble epochs of Islam – the era of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam), the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een (Radhiyallahu anhum ajmaeen). The Mujtahideen students of Imaam Shaafi and their Mujtahid students, had amply and admirably achieved the finalization of the Math-hab of Imaam Shaafi’ in the Light of the Qur’aan and Hadeeth.

The door of reviewing the statements and verdicts of Imaam Shaafi’ and the other three illustrious Aimmah of the Four Mathabs of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, viz Imaam Abu Haneefah, Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad Bin Hambal (Rahmatullahi alaihim) is sealed till the advent of Imaam Mahdi. Anyone who wishes to or attempts to open this divinely sealed door only flaunts his jahaalat and displays his hatred for the Immutable and Codified Shariat. We seek Allah Ta’ala’s refuge from falling into the trap of free thinking to pamper the nafs.]