Why do Hadramis prefer Imam Ibn Hajar?

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

I submitted a question to the ifta department of Ribat Tarim regarding Hadramis inclination towards the views of Imam Ibn Hajar al-Haytami in cases where Ibn Hajar and Imam Muhammad al-Ramli differ. Below is a translation of my question and their answer:

It is well-known that the scholars of Hadramawt follow Ibn Hajar in formal-
legal verdict. Why do the scholars prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli when al-Ramli was also a high-ranking faqih with an expansive breadth of knowledge?

In the name of Allah, Most Merciful, Most Compassionate. All praise is due to Allah, lord of the entire universe. Blessings and peace on our master Muhammad, the noblest of all prophets and messengers, and on his family and companions, one and all.

To commence;

The questioner asks, "Why do the scholars of Hadramawt prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli in formal legal verdict and what is the reason for their inclination towards Ibn Hajar?"

A 13th century scholar of Hadramawt by the name of Habib 'Abd Allah bin 'Umar bin Yahya was asked this very same question. Habib 'Abd Allah bin Yahya stated that there are four reasons why the Hadramis prefer Ibn Hajar over al-Ramli:

1. Ibn Hajar's knowledge of hadith sciences was extensive.

2. Ibn Hajar practiced tasawwuf and he did not oppose Sufis.

3. Ibn Hajar had extreme love for the Ahl al-Bayt.

4. Ibn Hajar possessed a firm understanding of usul al-fiqh, and because of that, his argument and evidence is usually strong.

It is for these four reasons that the scholars of Hadramawt favor Ibn Hajar; however, al-Ramli's position is followed in some issues.

(Conclusion of the answer)



I remember my teacher in Ribat stating a fifth reason: Ibn Hajar had an enormous amount of adab with Imam al-Nawawi. My teacher explained that some fuqaha dealt with al-Nawawi's inaccurate views in a harsh manner, but Ibn Hajar refrained from a stern tone in dealing with such issues.

Also, one should not deduce from Habib 'Abd Allah bin Yahya's statement that al-Ramli was weak in hadith, opposed Sufism, did not love the Ahl al-Bayt or was not well-versed in usul al-fiqh. Additionally, I have not al-Ramli harshly criticize any views of al-Nawawi in his central work, Nihayat al-Muhtaj.



Allah Most High knows best