the reason for compiling the manāqib(praiseworthy actions) of imam ali (a.s) by the shafi’ite scholars

explaining the virtues, merits and manāqib (praiseworthy actions) of imam ali (a.s) is not a task exclusive to his followers and adherents (namely the shi’a), but rather the scholars of the four sunni schools of law have extensively recounted the imam’s virtues, merits and manāqib, because of the high status of this matchless personality of the muslim world and due to their love and devotion to the prophet’s household (a.s), and this way they have left numerous compilations. by casting a brief glance at these works one can deduce that the earliest and most valuable compilations in this field are related to great shafi’ite scholars who have shown their special devotion to the ahl al-bayt (a.s) in general, and imam ali (a.s) in particular in the shape of matchless compilations recounting the manāqib. the most important characteristic of these works is that the authors of all of them have followed the example of the pioneer and leader of this school of law, namely imam shafi‘ī. for this reason the shafi’ite denomination, as well as imam shafi‘ī’s character have briefly been introduced in this article. also the reasons for expression of his special love and devotion towards the ahl al-bayt (a.s) in general, and the commander of the faithful (a.s) in particular, were explained, and some of his elegies on imam ali (a.s) were studied. eventually, the effective factors on formation of this feature by taking advantage of evidences from among the shafi’ite scholars’ compilations about the manāqib of imam ali, the commander of the faithful (a.s) were mentioned. among them mention was made of being influenced by the sufism, genealogy of imam shafi‘ī, and the shafi’ite scholars’ special devotion to the imams of the ahl al-bayt (a.s).