Answer:
There is a convergence between Zaidiyyah and the schools you
mentioned. If the speaker intends that there is a resemblance between
Zaidiyyah and Mu’tazilism in fundamentals, and between Zaidiyyah
and the Hanafi school in jurisprudence, then there is no harm in that,
and it is not a defect. Schools of thought naturally converge with one
another—but through agreement, not imitation.
As for the convergence with the Mu’tazila: The founder of the
Mu’tazila, Wasil ibn ‘Ata’, was a student of Abu Hashim ‘Abdullah ibn
Muhammad ibn al-Hanafiyya (the son of Imam Ali, peace be upon
him). Ibn Abi al-Hadid al-Mu’tazili said in Sharh Nahj al-Balaghah,
while establishing that the source of all religious knowledge is Imam
Ali (peace be upon him): “As for the Mu’tazila, who are the people of
divine unity and justice and the masters of rational investigation, and
from whom people learned this discipline—they are his students and
companions [i.e., of Imam Ali]. For their senior figure, Wasil ibn ‘Ata’,
was a student of Abu Hashim ‘Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn al-
Hanafiyya, and Abu Hashim was a student of his father, and his father
was a student of Imam Ali (peace be upon him).” So, if this claimant
were to say that the Mu’tazila are Zaidi, he would have some basis—
though it is not entirely accurate. Furthermore, Imam Zaid (peace be
upon him) was older than Wasil (born 75 AH vs. 80 AH), possessed
greater knowledge, and had a more profound impact than Wasil. In
fact, Wasil would direct his questions to Imam Zaid (peace be upon
him). Among the collected epistles of Imam Zaid, there is a response
from him answering a question from Wasil concerning the Caliphate.
So, how can the claim that the one questioned was influenced by the
questioner be valid?!
As for the convergence with the Hanafi school: Its origin lies in the fact
that Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on him) studied under Ja’far
al-Sadiq (peace be upon him). He used to say, “If not for those two
years, al-Nu’man [i.e., himself] would have perished,” referring to the
two years he studied under Ja’far. This is a well-known, uncontested
fact.
We have given this answer assuming the best intentions of the speaker.
However, in reality, we know that this statement is often not innocent,
as some intend by it nothing but to discredit Zaidiyyah by alleging it
lacks originality and that its doctrines are borrowed from here and
there. Others resort to it to evade the burden of proof. When they see
the evidences mandating adherence to the Pure Household (Ahl al-
Bayt), leaving them no valid excuse for abandoning it, they resort to
casting doubt on the very existence of an independent school of the
Household by portraying Zaidiyyah as a follower, not a leader. So,
when told about the Prophet’s (peace be upon him and his family)
saying: “I have left among you that which if you hold fast to, you will
never go astray… [referring to the Quran and his Progeny,” they ask,
“And where is the Progeny?” If told, “Here they are, the Zaidis,” they
retort, “These are Mu’tazilis or Jarudis.”