The poverty of Imam Shafi’i’s mother and the hardship he endured

I wanted the reference for the following statement:

Imam Shafi’i (rahimahullah) said:

“I was an orphan and my mother couldn’t afford to purchase paper for me. When I found a bone, I would take it and write on it.”

Answer

This narration is recorded in Jami’u Bayanil ‘Ilmi Wa Fadlihi of Imam Ibn ‘Abdil Barr (rahimahullah), as part of a longer narration, wherein Imam Shafi’i (rahimahullah) mentioned the hardships he endured during his initial stages of acquiring knowledge.

(Jami’u Bayanil ‘Ilmi Wa Fadlihi: 603)

Imam Bayhaqi (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar narration.

(Manaqibush Shafi’i, vol. 2 pg. 140)

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar