Did Imam Al-Shafi'i say: "The creed I hold is the same creed that Muslims before me held, that is, the testimony of faith: There is no god worthy of worship except Allah, that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, and that Allah is above the Throne, above the heavens. He descends to the lowest heaven whenever He wills"? And what is the chain of narration for this statement and its reference?

The aforementioned transmission from Imam Al-Shafi'i is not authentic. However, Sheikh Al-Islam Abu Othman Al-Sabuni Al-Shafi'i clarified Al-Shafi'i's belief regarding the issue of 'uluw (Allah's exaltedness/highness), stating that the people of hadith believe that Allah is above His seven heavens, upon His 'Arsh (Throne). He argued this by citing what was narrated from Al-Shafi'i in his book "Al-Mabsut" concerning the issue of emancipating a believing slave, and the evidence for this is the hadith of the slave girl whom the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked: "Who am I?" and she pointed to him and to the sky. The Salaf and the Imams are in agreement on affirming Allah's 'uluw over His 'Arsh, and that He is separate from His creation.