Is analogical reasoning accepted in its entirety, rejected in its entirety, or are there guidelines that limit it?
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The questioner : Shaykh?
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Regarding analogical reasoning, O Shaykh, is it accepted in its entirety, rejected in its entirety, or are there guidelines that limit it?
The Shaykh : Analogical reasoning is not rejected absolutely, as is the position of the Zahiris, nor is it accepted absolutely, as is the position of those who are expansive in accepting it, such as the Hanafis. The best I have seen of the scholars' statements is the statement of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) in his *Risalah*: "that analogical reasoning is a dire necessity", when the dire necessity for analogical reasoning exists.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : Regarding analogical reasoning, O Shaykh, is it accepted in its entirety, rejected in its entirety, or are there guidelines that limit it?
The Shaykh : Analogical reasoning is not rejected absolutely, as is the position of the Zahiris, nor is it accepted absolutely, as is the position of those who are expansive in accepting it, such as the Hanafis. The best I have seen of the scholars' statements is the statement of Imam al-Shafi'i (may Allah have mercy on him) in his *Risalah*: "that analogical reasoning is a dire necessity", when the dire necessity for analogical reasoning exists.