A Critique of the Theoretical Principles of Legitimacy in Ibn Taimyyah's Political Thought

This research presents a through critique of the theoretical principles of legitimacy in Ibn Taimyyah’s political thought. It tries, by resting on intellect, the Qur’an and Sunnah (tradition), to show the unsoundness of his thought. The influence exerted on some so-called Islamic governments in the region by Ibn Taimyyah’s Salafi thought regarding political legitimacy increases the importance of this research. Using a descriptive and critical method and explaining the view of Ibn Taimyyah about political legitimacy and its principles, the present paper concludes that his failing to adopt a reliable scientific method, he has not been successful in theorizing about political legitimacy. His preconceptions have such problems like: inattention to the intellect, lack of understanding of Imamah in Islam, confusing the idea of Imamah with the idea of prophethood and inattention to authoritative widely narrated texts, authority of unanimous agreement and the justice of the Companions of the Prophet.