In Baghdad, Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) was known by the title ‘Naasir-us-Sunnah’ (the savior of the Sunnah).

Haafiz Ibnu Katheer (rahimahullah) says, “Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah) memorized the Qur’aan Majeed when he was only seven, the Muwatta of Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) when he was ten, and his Shaikh, Muslim bin Khallaad Al-Zanji (rahimahullah), permitted him to pass verdicts (Fatwa) when he was only fifteen (some narrations state that he was eighteen).”

Hazrat Abu Thowr (rahimahullah), one of the Mujtahideen of that era, says, “We never saw anyone as great as Imaam Shaafi‘ee (rahimahullah).”

(Al-Bidaayah-wan-Nihaayah 10/276)