The Qur'an as a Source of Law: A Reassessment of Ahmad Ibn Hanbal's Use of the Qur'an as a Legal Source

Abstract

According to the traditional perspective, Islamic legislation is based on several sources, the most important of which is the Qur'an. However, a number of researchers in this field doubt the legislative importance of the Qur'an as a source. In this light, the current study therefore attempts to critically assess Ahmad ibn Hanbal's view of the value of the Qur'an as a source of law, through undertaking a comprehensive survey of one of his kutub al-masāil, and investigating his use of Qur'anic ayas in the Kitāb al-zuhd.