Document Type : Research Article (Political Thought)

Author

• Hasan Majidi

Associate Professor of Political Sciences Faculty at Imam Sadiq University

Abstract

The present article seeks to examine the dimensions and reflection of anti-rationalism in the opinions of various Salafi thinkers and movements, mainly anti-rationalists. It does not deny the existence of some Salafis who are not anti-rationalists but do not independently accept the authority of reason, but this article does not address them. The question of the article is: What is the place of anti-rationalism among thinkers of different periods of Salafi thought and what are the manifestations and consequences of anti-rationalism in the opinions and positions of Salafis? The method used in this research is documentary. The findings of the article show that Salafism, with its various approaches in the foundations and components of its thought and strategy, is opposed to reason and rationality. This characteristic, while denying the capacity for civilization and state-building in the face of modernity and even other rationalist religious movements, is unable to stand and is in conflict with the principles and foundations of authentic Islam, which has a great capacity for connection with reason and wisdom. The trajectory of anti-rationalism shows that to the extent that this line of thought increases its opposition to reason and emphasizes superficiality and stratification, it insists on a more jihadist and takfiri policy, and the extent to which the thinkers of this thought movement use othering, violence, and extremism is increasing.

Keywords

• Salafism, anti-rationalism, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal
• Wahhabism, Sayyid Qutb,

Main Subjects

• Political Thought