Some Sufis claim affiliation with Imam al-Shafi'i; was Imam al-Shafi'i involved in some Sufism?

Question:
The Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, says: Some Sufis claim affiliation with Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him), so some people think that Imam al-Shafi'i had some Sufism in him. Is this correct?

Answer:
Far from it, and no. Imam al-Shafi'i fought against Sufism. It is a known fact that a Sufi claims affiliation with him, a Mu'tazili claims affiliation with him, and an Ash'ari claims affiliation with him.
That is, the majority of the followers of the four schools of jurisprudence are generally Ash'aris or Mu'tazilis. This does not disgrace the Imam that someone later claims affiliation with him while holding a belief contrary to the Imam's.
There are many among the Hanafis, and many among the Shafi'is, who contradict the school of their Imams, Abu Hanifah and al-Shafi'i. There are many among the Malikis who contradict what Imam Malik held. Yes, this is a known fact.
So they are Shafi'is in the branches of jurisprudence, but not in creed. Likewise, they are Hanafis in the branches, but not on the school of Abu Hanifah in creed. Among the Hanbalis too, there are people of this sort; they are Hanbalis in the branches, but not Hanbalis in creed. Yes.