Birth and lineage:
Abu Muhammad Ali bin Ahmed bin Saeed bin Hazm bin Ghalib bin Saleh bin Khalaf bin Maadan bin Sufyan bin Yazid, known as Ibn Hazm Al-Andalusi Al-Qurtubi, was born on the thirtieth of Ramadan in the year 384 AH (November 7). 994 AD) in Cordoba. He was one of the most prominent scholars of Andalusia, and one of the figures of Islam after Al-Tabari.
Education and beginning:
Ibn Hazm grew up in the palace of his father, Ahmed bin Saeed, who was a minister in the court of Caliph Al-Mansur bin Abi Amer. His early education included being tutored by palace servants. Ibn Hazm's lineage goes back to Yazid bin Muawiyah, which indicates a prominent Islamic heritage.
Contributions and experiences:
Ibn Hazm was a multi-talented scholar who excelled in various fields such as jurisprudence, theology, literature, poetry, genealogy, and hadith. He is known for his role as a reformer, as he revived the Zahiri school after its decline in the East. Ibn Hazm was also known for his political involvement, as he was a minister of the Umayyad rulers.
He was a philosopher who, like others of his time, emphasized the spherical shape of the Earth. In addition to his scholarly pursuits, he became involved in politics and served as political vizier to the Umayyads, advocating non-conformity and independence.
Exile and afterlife:
Ibn Hazm faced opposition from Maliki scholars, which led to his exile from Al-Andalus. He lived for some time in the village of Montejar near Valencia, where he continued his scientific activities and composed several of his works.
Writings:
One of Ibn Hazm's most notable works is "Tawq Al-Hamamah", which is a treatise on the art of love. He also wrote extensively on theology, jurisprudence, and linguistic topics. His approach was influenced by the Zahiri school, which emphasizes the literal interpretation of texts.
death
Ibn Hazm died on Shaban 28, 456 AH (August 15, 1064 AD) at his residence in Montgar.
legacy:
Ibn Hazm's legacy continues through his writings and contributions in various fields. His emphasis on non-conformism and independent thinking left a lasting impact on Islamic thought. Despite the controversies surrounding him, Ibn Hazm remains an important figure in the history of Islamic scholarship.
Scientific status:
Ibn Hazm was an independent jurist and prominent imam with a strong commitment to learning. He initially followed the Shafi'i school of jurisprudence and then moved to the Zahiri school of thought. He adhered to the Salafi belief in some matters, affirming the oneness of God’s names and attributes, and disagreed with them in other aspects. His positions were the result of his unique scientific endeavours.
The apparent doctrine:
Ibn Hazm is associated with the Zahiri school, which rejects the analogy commonly used in traditional Islamic jurisprudence. Rather, this school insists on clear and explicit evidence from the Qur’an or Sunnah in legal rulings. Ibn Hazm's approach went beyond mere rejection, as he sought to reestablish Islamic thought in a comprehensive manner, including jurisprudence and its principles.
Contributions and disagreements:
Ibn Hazm composed numerous responses to various groups, including Shiites, Jews, Christians, Sufis, and Kharijites. He emphasized strict adherence to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and the consensus of the Companions, and rejected analogy, approval, and considerations of public interest.
Daring and adversaries:
Ibn Hazm, known for his boldness, faced strong opposition from contemporary scholars, especially in Andalusia. His opponents took advantage of their positions to turn the authorities against him. Ibn Hazm's rhetoric and criticism of other scholars, especially Maliki scholars, led to hostility, and he was eventually exiled.
Legacy and influence:
Ibn Hazm's legacy continues through his writings covering a wide range of topics, including love literature, theology, jurisprudence, and linguistics. His emphasis on the literal interpretation of texts and the rejection of syllogistic logic left a lasting impact on Islamic thought, although his ideas met with strong resistance during his lifetime. Despite controversies and rivalries, Ibn Hazm remains an important figure in the history of Islamic science.
Supporting opinions of scholars:
Al-Humaidi, a prominent scholar, expressed his admiration for Ibn Hazm, highlighting several aspects of his personality and scientific contributions:
1.Memorization and mastery:
Al-Humaidi praised Ibn Hazm as a memorizer and scholar well-versed in hadith sciences. He expressed his appreciation for Ibn Hazm's deep understanding of jurisprudence, and his deduction of legal rulings directly from the Qur'an and Sunnah.
2.Diversity and asceticism:
Ibn Hazm was described as multi-talented and excelling in various fields of knowledge. Although he held leadership positions and administered kingdoms, he remained ascetic and detached from worldly pursuits. His humility was evident even after he gained political fame.
3. Literary and scientific production:
Ibn Hazm's literary and scientific production was extensive. He has books on hadith, compilations, and works on jurisprudence. One of his important works is the book “The Answer to Understanding the Universal Characteristics,” in which he collected the sayings of the Companions, followers, and later scholars on issues of jurisprudence.
4. Jurisprudence of Hadith:
Ibn Hazm wrote a comprehensive book entitled “Al-Issa’ to Understanding the Universal Characteristics,” in which he dealt with the jurisprudence of hadith. In this book, he presented the opinions of the Companions, Caliphs, and scholars on various jurisprudential issues, supported by authentic hadiths.
5. Other noteworthy works:
In addition to his major works on jurisprudence, Ibn Hazm contributed in other fields. He has a book on the principles of rulings, “Al-Ahkam fi Usul Al-Ahkam,” and another on the classification of religions, “Declaration of the Jews and Christians.”
6. Reason and piety:
Ibn Hazm praised his intelligence, quick memorization, generosity of character, and piety. His birth in Cordoba in the year 384 AH and his death after the age of fifty in the year 456 AH was a period of important scientific contributions.
Scholars, including Al-Humaydi, have acknowledged Ibn Hazm's multifaceted talents, his extensive research, and his commitment to authentic sources in understanding and interpreting Islamic jurisprudence.