“An Analysis of the View of Wahhabism in the Authority of Understanding and the Action of the Predecessors”

The most central foundation claimed for the formation of Wahhabism, special attention to the situation, scientific and practical authority of the predecessors of the first three centuries of Islam; That is, the companions are the followers and the followers of the followers. Along with the book, the Prophetic tradition and consensus, they have placed the Salaf as one of the sources of legislation as opposed to the rich source of the Ahl al-Bayt’s tradition.

 They believe that in all jurisprudential and doctrinal attitudes, one should refer to their understanding and action; Because they are close to the time of the Messenger of God and have understood the truths better; Therefore, their understanding and action is preferable to the understanding and action of others. Wahhabism interprets the principles and sub-principles of the religion according to the understanding and action of the predecessor.

 They consider the book and tradition as evidence that is accompanied by the understanding and action of the predecessor. In justifying and explaining this claim, Wahhabism has tried to document its view on verses, hadiths and consensus; These reasons all come in many forms; Because some of their arguments have no indication of the authority of understanding and the action of the predecessor. Some reasons are weak and some are specific to the claim. In this treatise, while reviewing the views expressed in the issue and expressing the Wahhabi arguments on the authority and precedence of understanding and the action of the predecessors, an attempt has been made to verify their reasons by criticizing them scientifically. And finally, he comes to the conclusion that understanding and the present can be a measure and an argument that has infallibility and there is no error in it.

They were among the righteous predecessors and the best of them and the most needy Islamic ummah in understanding religious issues from others. In addition, they were free from error in their words and deeds. While the predecessors claimed by Wahhabism, as evidenced by history, and the elders of Wahhabism and the Sunnis, were not immune from error and sin.