Invalidation of Analogical Reasoning

and what do you have to do with analogical reasoning? Verily they were destroyed who were destroyed before you because of analogical reasoning, then he said: if it comes to you that which you have knowledge of then say it, and if it comes to you that which you do not know then – he pointed with his hand to his mouth …

I said to Abi al-Hasan Musa عليه السلام – may I be made your ransom, we have gained understanding of the religion and Allah has made us self-sufficient from needing the people, so much so that a group of us may be in a meeting – not a man asks his fellow a question which comes to his mind except that he receives an answer for it, this is from the mercy of Allah on us through you, however it may happen that something is referred to us about which we have received nothing on your authority or that of your forefathers, can we look for the best-match in what we have and the closest to that which has come down to us from you and take it [as the answer]? So he said: not at all, not at all, in doing that – by Allah – were destroyed those who were destroyed O Ibn Hukaym, then he said: may Allah curse Aba Hanifa he used to say “Ali said but I say …”, Muhammad b. Hukaym then reported to Hisham b. al-Hakam that: by Allah I did not want anything [in asking this] except that he permit Qiyas (analogical reasoning) for me.

the commander of the faithful عليه السلام said: … the believer takes his religion from his Lord and not from his opinion …

the messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه واله said: Allah Majestic is His Majesty said: he has not believed in Me the one who interprets My words based on his opinion …

I said to Abi Abdillah عليه السلام: things are referred to us which we do not know of in the Book of Allah nor the Sunna – should we exercise reason in them? He said: no, for even if you were to get it right you will not be rewarded for it, and if you were to err in it then you have lied upon Allah Mighty and Majestic.