The author points out in the book's introduction that his goal is not merely to recount historical events, but rather to highlight the lessons and morals derived from Imam Al-Shafi'i's life, and to revive righteous role models in the souls of the nation's youth, thereby keeping the heritage of scholars present in consciousness and as a source of inspiration and guidance.
Al-Ghunaimat pauses at the scholarly environment in which Al-Shafi'i lived, describing it as the golden age of knowledge and scholars, reviewing his academic relationship and jurisprudential legacy within the context of an era when he lived alongside a number of major Imams, including Abu Hanifa, Malik, Muhammad bin al-Hasan al-Shaybani, and Al-Layth ibn Sa'd.
The book focuses on two main aspects of Imam Al-Shafi'i's personality: the first is his scholarly standing and his contribution to founding the science of Usul al-Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence principles) and establishing its rules, along with his synthesis of different jurisprudential schools; and the second is his moral and human dimensions, through stances and experiences that the author believes are worthy of attention and emulation in the pursuit of knowledge, diligence, steadfastness in the truth, good character, and asceticism.
Al-Ghunaimat emphasizes that the image known to many Muslims about Al-Shafi'i is limited to him being one of the four jurisprudential school imams, whereas his biography reveals broad aspects of his scholarly and human personality that deserve to be told to the new generations.
In preparing the book, the author relied on a number of traditional and historical sources and references, including «Ara'uhu wa Fiqhuhu» by Abu Zahra, «Safwat al-Safwa» by Ibn al-Jawzi, «Tabaqat al-Shafi'iyyah al-Kubra» by Al-Subki, «Musnad Abi Dawud al-Tayalisi», «Mu'jam al-Udaba» by Yaqut al-Hamawi, «Manaqib al-Imam al-Shafi'i» by Al-Razi and Al-Bayhaqi, «Al-Nujum al-Zahirah» by Ibn Taghri Birdi, and «Wafayat al-A'yan» by Ibn Khallikan.
