Zahiri School

Mainstream

الظاهرية

Overview

A historical school of Islamic jurisprudence founded by Dawud ibn Khalaf al-Zahiri (815–883 CE), later championed by Ibn Hazm of Andalusia (994–1064 CE). Takes only the literal (zahir) meaning of the Quran and Sunnah, rejecting qiyas (analogical reasoning) and ra'y (personal opinion) as legal sources. No longer has institutionalized following today but its methodology continues to influence Islamic scholarship.

Key Beliefs

Strict literalism — only the apparent (zahir) meaning of Quran and Sunnah is binding
Complete rejection of qiyas (analogical reasoning) as a legal source
Ijma (consensus) limited to the consensus of the Companions only
Every act is permissible unless explicitly prohibited by a text

Scholarly Evaluation

A legitimate historical school within Ahl us-Sunnah. While not followed today as an organized madhab, Ibn Hazm's encyclopedic works (especially Al-Muhalla) are standard references for comparative fiqh. His rejection of qiyas was a minority position but not outside the pale of Ahl us-Sunnah.

Key Figures

Dawud ibn Khalaf al-Zahiri (815–883 CE)
Ibn Hazm (994–1064 CE)

Sources

Al-Muhalla bil-Athar (Ibn Hazm)
Al-Ihkam fi Usul al-Ahkam (Ibn Hazm)

Parent Group

Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah

Founder

Dawud ibn Khalaf al-Zahiri

Founded

815 CE