between the obligation to repay a debt owed to the Creator and the obligation to repay a debt owed to a created being. Concerning the meat of sacrificial animals, he, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “I only forbade you because of the people who had come to you.” He thus explained the underlying cause so that they could apply it elsewhere. This is an explicit statement from him that ruling by analogical reasoning is obligatory.
“The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, was asked about exchanging fresh dates for dried dates. He asked, ‘Do fresh dates diminish when they dry?’ They replied, ‘Yes.’ He said, ‘Then no.’” His asking them whether fresh dates diminish when they dry clearly demonstrates that he intended to draw their attention to the underlying cause governing this exchange and make them aware of it, so that they could apply it wherever they found it. For it is inconceivable that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, did not know that fresh dates diminish when they dry. Rather, he intended to teach them that the reason for his prohibition of exchanging dried dates for dried dates in unequal quantities also applies to exchanging fresh dates for dried dates in equal quantities. This is clear.
Umm Salamah reported that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: “I decide disputes between you through reasoned judgment in matters concerning which no revelation has been sent down.” This report is confirmed in the Book of Allah, Almighty and Majestic:
“Indeed, We have sent down to you the Book in truth so that you may judge between people by what Allah has shown you.” [al-Nisā’: 105]
And He, Exalted is He, said:
“And consult them in the matter.” [Āl ‘Imrān: 159]
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As for consensus on this matter, it is known to have been reached and firmly established before the literalists who reject analogical reasoning had even been born. The evidence for this is that the Companions—may Allah, Exalted is He, be pleased with them—disagreed over many matters, such as a grandfather’s entitlement to inheritance, the proportional reduction of inheritance shares, compensation for dental injuries, and similar issues, and each argued