SOURCE: Makin, Al. “The Influence of Zahiri Theory on Ibn Hazm's Theology: The Case of His Interpretation of the Anthropomorphic Text ‘The Hand of God.’” Medieval Encounters 5, no. 1 (March 1999): 112-20.

In the following essay, Makin suggests that there is a contradiction between Ibn Hazm's general adherence to Zahiri (“literalist”) theoretical principles and his metaphorical interpretation of God's anthropomorphism.

Ibn Hazm, a theologian, philosopher, jurist, and moralist, was born at Cordova in 384 a.h. (994 a.d.) and died at Manta Lisham in 456 a.h. (1064 a.d.).¹ From childhood onwards he lived through several traumatic experiences. For instance, during the political struggle among Andalusians, Berbers and Slavs, his father fell into disgrace after the fall of the ‘Amirids and the replacement of the Caliph Hishām II by Muḥammad al-Mahdi. He was even forced to flee the country with his family when Madīnat al-Zahrah was attacked. Ibn Hazm...