Question
How can we reconcile the fact that Al-Shafi'i was the first to establish the science of Usul al-Fiqh, with the fact that the Hanafi principles were written down by Imam Abu Hanifa and his companions?
Answer
The answer: I say, and with God's help: The statement that Al-Shafi'i was the first to establish the principles of jurisprudence is not accurate; rather, it is attributed to Abu Yusuf. The writings of Isa ibn Aban are older than those of Al-Shafi'i, and they are much broader than what Al-Shafi'i mentioned in the principles of jurisprudence, as seen in his "Al-Hujjah Al-Kabir" and "Al-Hujjah Al-Saghir," which are found in the book "Usul Al-Jassas," so it should be reviewed. Likewise, the claim that the principles of the Hanafi school were written by Abu Hanifa is incorrect; rather, they are the interpretations of those who came after Abu Hanifa in explaining his principles. One can refer to the introduction of the book "Masar Al-Wusul ila Ilm Al-Usul," as it is beneficial in this regard. And God knows best.