Imam Shafi was an Arab Muslim theologian, writer, and scholar, who was the first contributor of the principles of Islamic jurisprudence. His full name was Abu ʿAbdullah Muhammad ibn Idris al Shafi. He was born in Gaza on August 28, 767 AD. Shafi was also known as 'Shaykh Al Islam. He is one of the four great Imams of Sunni schools of law. He is also the author of several prominent works in the field. He has been titled 'Nasir al-Hadith' which means “defender of hadith".