The opinion on adopting the principles of Ibn Hazm the Zahiri in his book: "Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam."
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The questioner : Regarding the adoption of the principles of Ibn Hazm the Zahiri in the book "Al-Ahkam," is it...?
The Shaykh : Of course, if he adopts them with understanding and conviction, and not out of blind following, then there is no difference whether he adopts the principles of Ibn Hazm, or the principles of al-Shafi'i in his "Risalah," or the principles of al-Shatibi, or the like. The important thing is that he adopts whatever he adopts from the scientific usuli principles with conviction. As for following Ibn Hazm blindly, we would not be pleased to be followers of someone who is of a higher rank and more noble in knowledge than Ibn Hazm. If one must follow blindly, we follow those who came before him. But we exercise discernment as our Lord - Mighty and Majestic - commanded in His saying:[Yusuf 12:108]. The one who studies the principles of Ibn Hazm is like the one who studies the branches of Ibn Hazm in his "Muhallad," for example. If it is out of conviction and following the evidence, then welcome to it. But if it is out of rigidity, blind following, and fanaticism, then this is what we do not approve of for a Muslim. Please proceed.
The questioner : If you please, Shaykh, in the principles of Ibn Hazm, there is the denial of analogical reasoning (qiyas), and not considering the statement of a Companion. I think this is enough for now, ... .
The Shaykh : So we answered him.
The questioner : ... .
...
The Shaykh : I do not believe that there is a book that is not subject to criticism. "Allah did not intend for any book to be complete except His Book" - as is narrated from Imam al-Shafi'i - . In my belief, you need "Usul al-Ahkam" by Ibn Hazm as the best book written on the principles, despite its anomalies. This is because it is truly a book of principles, whereas you find books of principles to be mere advocacy, mere rules, a principle they set down and proceed with.
The questioner : Theories.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : Theories, I say, I say theories... .
The Shaykh : Yes, there are no proofs! Meanwhile, the principles upon which thousands of branch issues are built must be supported by strong rules from the Book of Allah, and from the hadith of the Messenger of Allah; so that a person is reassured in relying upon and depending on them. In my knowledge, I have not found a book that took the path of Ibn Hazm in formulating those usuli principles, with the evidence he sees, while avoiding his strictness and anomaly in some issues. Please proceed.
The questioner : Abu Muhammad says: "This book was composed according to the methodology of the scholars of hadith."
The Shaykh : No, that is not the case; the scholars of hadith do not deny analogical reasoning (qiyas).
Yes.
The Shaykh : Of course, if he adopts them with understanding and conviction, and not out of blind following, then there is no difference whether he adopts the principles of Ibn Hazm, or the principles of al-Shafi'i in his "Risalah," or the principles of al-Shatibi, or the like. The important thing is that he adopts whatever he adopts from the scientific usuli principles with conviction. As for following Ibn Hazm blindly, we would not be pleased to be followers of someone who is of a higher rank and more noble in knowledge than Ibn Hazm. If one must follow blindly, we follow those who came before him. But we exercise discernment as our Lord - Mighty and Majestic - commanded in His saying:
Say, "This is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me. And exalted is Allah; and I am not of those who associate others with Him."
قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِي وَسُبْحَانَ اللهِ وَمَا أَنَا مِنَ المُشْرِكِينَThe questioner : If you please, Shaykh, in the principles of Ibn Hazm, there is the denial of analogical reasoning (qiyas), and not considering the statement of a Companion. I think this is enough for now, ... .
The Shaykh : So we answered him.
The questioner : ... .
...
The Shaykh : I do not believe that there is a book that is not subject to criticism. "Allah did not intend for any book to be complete except His Book" - as is narrated from Imam al-Shafi'i - . In my belief, you need "Usul al-Ahkam" by Ibn Hazm as the best book written on the principles, despite its anomalies. This is because it is truly a book of principles, whereas you find books of principles to be mere advocacy, mere rules, a principle they set down and proceed with.
The questioner : Theories.
The Shaykh : Yes?
The questioner : Theories, I say, I say theories... .
The Shaykh : Yes, there are no proofs! Meanwhile, the principles upon which thousands of branch issues are built must be supported by strong rules from the Book of Allah, and from the hadith of the Messenger of Allah; so that a person is reassured in relying upon and depending on them. In my knowledge, I have not found a book that took the path of Ibn Hazm in formulating those usuli principles, with the evidence he sees, while avoiding his strictness and anomaly in some issues. Please proceed.
The questioner : Abu Muhammad says: "This book was composed according to the methodology of the scholars of hadith."
The Shaykh : No, that is not the case; the scholars of hadith do not deny analogical reasoning (qiyas).
Yes.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.