Zahirite school

The Zahirite school is an Islamic legal tradition that emphasizes strict adherence to the literal text of the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the Prophet). Its scholars prioritize the apparent wording over other interpretative methods, avoiding analogy or reasoning beyond the text unless explicitly supported. This approach seeks to preserve the original wording's clear meaning, ensuring a conservative and straightforward application of Islamic law. The school is historically associated with scholars like Dawud al-Zahiri and is practiced mainly in parts of North Africa and Yemen, valuing direct textual evidence for legal rulings.