What is your opinion on adopting the principles of Ibn Hazm al-Zahiri in his book *Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam*?
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The questioner : What is your opinion on adopting the principles of Ibn Hazm al-Zahiri in his book *Al-Ahkam fi Usul al-Ahkam*?
The Shaykh : This is, of course, provided that he adopts them based on understanding and conviction, not blind following. There is no difference between adopting the principles of Ibn Hazm, the principles of al-Shafi'i in his *Risalah*, the principles of al-Shatibi, or anyone else. The important thing is that he adopts the scientific usuli principles he has chosen and is convinced of them. As for blindly following Ibn Hazm, we would not be satisfied to be followers of someone who is of a higher rank and greater in knowledge than Ibn Hazm. So if blind following is unavoidable, we follow[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 *Muhalla*, for example. If it is based on conviction in following the evidence, welcome to him. But if it is based on rigidity, blind following, and fanaticism, it is not of our methodology or the methodology of the Muslims...
In my belief, you need *Usul al-Ahkam* by Ibn Hazm. It is the best book written on the principles, despite its anomalies, because it is truly a book of principles. Whereas you find books of principles are merely a call, merely a principle they establish and proceed with, while the principles that are built upon branch out into thousands of subsidiary issues. These principles must be supported by strong rules from the Book of Allah and the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) so that they can be relied upon. In my knowledge, I have not found a book that took the path of Ibn Hazm in establishing the usuli principles with the evidence he considers, while avoiding his strictness and anomalies in some issues.
The questioner : Abu Muhammad says that he composed this book 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.
The Shaykh : This is, of course, provided that he adopts them based on understanding and conviction, not blind following. There is no difference between adopting the principles of Ibn Hazm, the principles of al-Shafi'i in his *Risalah*, the principles of al-Shatibi, or anyone else. The important thing is that he adopts the scientific usuli principles he has chosen and is convinced of them. As for blindly following Ibn Hazm, we would not be satisfied to be followers of someone who is of a higher rank and greater in knowledge than Ibn Hazm. So if blind following is unavoidable, we follow
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 المُشْرِكِينَIn my belief, you need *Usul al-Ahkam* by Ibn Hazm. It is the best book written on the principles, despite its anomalies, because it is truly a book of principles. Whereas you find books of principles are merely a call, merely a principle they establish and proceed with, while the principles that are built upon branch out into thousands of subsidiary issues. These principles must be supported by strong rules from the Book of Allah and the Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) so that they can be relied upon. In my knowledge, I have not found a book that took the path of Ibn Hazm in establishing the usuli principles with the evidence he considers, while avoiding his strictness and anomalies in some issues.
The questioner : Abu Muhammad says that he composed this book 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.