Methodology and Status of Imam Shafeei in the Science of Hadith in sunni school of thought

The purpose of this study is to investigate the “Why and How” of distinguishing Imam Shafeeei’s methodology in Hadith compared with his contemporaries and its application in that literature. The findings show that Imam Shafeei’s new methodology was a result of factors rooted in his society. Having a new reading of Ijtehad (endeavour) based on correct quotation and sound judgment he adopted a different methodology which was influenced by customs and traditions from different regions and it was a balanced way between the ideas of the advocates of Hadith from one side and those following the tradition of interpretation(Rai) from the other side. Imam Shafeei considered the correct Hadith as valuable as Koranic verses and he tried to expand the use of hadith in Feqh (Jurisprudence). Imam Shafeei’s hadith sources were not limited to one area but he attempted to use the sayings of sources in addition to the residents of Madineh for examples the Hadith quoted by some people residing in Egypt and Iraq. Combining the methods of the advocated of both traditions in Hadith (Ahle-Hadith and Ahle-Rai), he could avoid the problems existing in their methodologies and give Hadith a greater role in Feqh.