Islamic Values as a Critical Standard in the Thought of Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi

Abstract

The richness and diversity of Arab culture throughout its historical continuum have played a pivotal role in shaping exceptional intellectual figures whose contributions spanned various fields of knowledge and art. Andalusian culture, in particular, significantly collaborated with Eastern Arab traditions in constructing these personalities and enhancing critical evaluation through thought, vision, data, and reasoning based on evidence and logic.

One of the essential pillars of civilizational development lies in the principle of deconstruction and reconstruction, with evaluation serving as a foundation. Thus, criticism emerged as an independent discipline governed by structured procedures and logical principles, distancing it from chaos and subjectivity.

Among the most prominent figures to embody this intellectual legacy was Ibn Hazm al-Andalusi (384–456 AH / 994–1064 CE). He was a distinguished polymath whose contributions extended across jurisprudence, theology, logic, literature, and genealogy. Raised in a cultured and politically engaged environment, Ibn Hazm adopted the Zahiri school, a literalist jurisprudential method that upholds the text and rejects analogy and subjective reasoning.

Ibn Hazm's bold and sharp critical perspective exposed him to opposition and exile, yet he left a profound and lasting intellectual impact. He succeeded in creating a balanced space that reconciled religious doctrine with the diverse scientific and philosophical realities of his time. His approach was firmly rooted in both religious faith and rational inquiry, bridging the gap between seemingly contradictory domains and creating a critical framework grounded in coherence and synthesis.