similarly, Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was the Mujaddid [revivalist] of the second century. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 9, pp. 105, Al-Imam Shaafi’i, Hadees 13236) He  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه further states that in last thirty years, there has not been any such night in which I did not make Du’a (supplication) for Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 9, pp. 105, Al-Imam Shaafi’i, Hadees 13237)

Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه served Hadees all his life. When Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه went to Iraq, then the blessed scholars of Iraq conferred him with the title of Nasir-ul-Hadees. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 9, pp. 114, Al-Imam Shaafi’i, Hadees 13277)

Imam Ahmad Bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه states that I have not seen anyone obey Hadees more than Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. (Hilyat-ul-Awliya, vol. 9, pp. 114, Al-Imam Shaafi’i, Hadees 13276)

Attributes of Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه

O devotees of Awliya! Imam Shaafi’i’s رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه academic rank and greatness was indeed exemplary and matchless; but along with these attributes, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was also an embodiment of Taqwa and piety, Allah Almighty’s fear, a lot of worship, having passion for reforming the Ummah, contemplation of the Hereafter, good morals, asceticism and piety, humility and humbleness, following of Shari’ah, forgiving and forbearance, patience and gratitude, love of Allah Almighty, accountability of Nafs, opposing shetaan and various other noble attributes. Let us listen to three narrations regarding his acts of worship and staying awake at nights:

1. Sayyiduna Haroon Bin Sa’eed رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه has narrated: I have not seen anyone like Sayyiduna Imam Shaafi’i رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. When he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه came to us in Egypt, people said: ‘A Qurayshi Faqeeh [jurist] has come to us.’ Hence, we went to him and he was offering Salah. We did not see anyone with a more graceful face than his and someone who offered Salah better than him. We kept waiting. When he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه completed his Salah, then he started the conversation. We did not find anyone who would converse better than him either. (Ar-Rauz-ul-Faiq, pp. 210)