A Review on Salafi Perspective on Ijtihad and Taqlid

In the first centuries, the way of ijtihad was open in Islam, but gradually it was closed and made obligatory within the frameworks of four main jurisprudential denominations. Some scholars like Ibn Taymiyyah criticized this approach and considered the path of ijtihad open. From twelfth century, Salafi movements, following Ibn Taymiyyah said that the path of ijtihad is open. Nowadays, Wahhabism, Muslim Brotherhood group and Jihadi Salafis believe that the path of ijtihad is open, however, there are so many disagreements on the subjects of ijtihad and taqlid among them. The majority of Wahhabi scholars avoid from considering themselves as absolute mujtahid and consider themselves as the followers of Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Accordingly, they suggested Tamazhob theory which was criticized by Naseroddin Albani. He maintains that Wahhabi scholars should go toward the absolute ijtihad. Famous figures of Muslim Brotherhood group like Sayyid Sabiq and Yusuf al-Qaradawi have claimed that they are absolute mujtahid but maintain that they can follow other denominations as well. Jihadi Salafi scholars also consider themselves as absolute mujtahid so they declare that others are pagans and non-believers. Using a library and descriptive-analytical method, this article has an in-depth look at ijtihad from the viewpoint of Salafi scholars and studies the disagreements among the great Salafi scholars. Finally, it refers to some of the consequences of this view.