The Shafi'i school of thought is one of the four major Sunni Islamic legal schools, founded by the scholar Imam al-Shafi'i in the 9th century. It emphasizes the importance of the Qur'an, the Hadith (sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad), consensus among scholars, and analogical reasoning in deriving legal rulings. This school is known for its systematic approach to jurisprudence, focusing on the principles of law and the methodology of interpretation. It is widely practiced in various regions, including parts of Southeast Asia, East Africa, and Egypt, influencing the legal and religious practices of millions of Muslims.