A Critique of the Authority of Reason (‘aql) from the Jihadi Salafism perspective

One of the important issues regarding epistemology from the perspective of the jihadi Salafism is the question of reason. So the main question is how the authority of the reason (‘aql) is from the jihadist point of view. Since no serious research has been done in this area due to the new emergence of this group, this article with descriptive-analytical method attempts to investigate the issue of reason in two areas of the Jihadi Salafism affected by Sayyid Qutb and after Osama bin Laden because of differences of opinion in this group. According to studies, Jihadi Salafism do not accept the authority of reason in religious matters but in non-religious matters. Sayyid Qutb believes that reason has authority in proving the fundamental doctrines such as the existence of God, revelation and prophecy. In fact, he is a rationalist who has tried to stand up to the radical scientism of some of the schools of his time. Unlike other Jihadist Salafis who believes in appearance of reason and its authority in essential sciences and knowledge, they believe that reason can be used only in worldly and material matters. Therefor, definite text (Nas) will never contradict with definite reason, if so, Quotation (naql) is the forefront of reason.