The Shafi'i school is one of the four major Sunni madhabs, widely followed in Southeast Asia, East Africa, Yemen, and parts of Egypt and the Levant. It was founded by Imam Muhammad ibn Idris al-Shafi'i (767-820 CE), who is also credited with systematizing the principles of Islamic jurisprudence (usul al-fiqh).
On Zakat, the Shafi'i school shares the Hanafi position that all gold and silver is zakatable, including personal jewelry. However, there are some narrations within the school that discuss potential exemptions for jewelry in regular use — though the predominant position remains that all gold and silver is subject to Zakat.
The Shafi'i methodology emphasizes the primacy of Hadith in deriving rulings and is known for a balanced approach between textual evidence and reasoning. In Zakat matters, the Shafi'i school generally requires the Nisab to be maintained throughout the entire Hawl period, which is a stricter standard than the Hanafi position.
Related Terms
Madhab(مذهب)
A school of Islamic jurisprudence. The four major Sunni madhabs are Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali.
Hanafi(حنفي)
The largest Sunni school of jurisprudence, founded by Imam Abu Hanifa. Considers all gold and silver zakatable regardless of personal use.
Maliki(مالكي)
A major Sunni school of jurisprudence founded by Imam Malik. Exempts personal jewelry from Zakat up to a customary amount.
Hanbali(حنبلي)
A major Sunni school of jurisprudence founded by Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Exempts personal jewelry from Zakat entirely.
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