نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسندگان English
The issue of Sifat Khabariyya (report-based attributes), particularly the attribute of Wajh Allah (the Face of God), has consistently been a pivotal subject of debate among Islamic theological and exegetical schools. Employing a “descriptive-analytical” method, this research conducts a comparative analysis of the perspectives held by Ahl al-Hadith and Wahhabism, investigating the extent to which Wahhabism adheres to the methodology of the early Ahl al-Hadith in interpreting the attribute of Wajh. The findings indicate that, contrary to the common perception of uniformity, Ahl al-Hadith did not maintain a monolithic approach; rather, a spectrum of views—including metaphorical interpretation (ta’wil), delegation of meaning (tafwid), and the affirmation of the attribute without specifying its nature—can be observed among them. Indeed, the prevalent tendency in the exegeses of the Salaf (early generations) and prominent Ahl al-Hadith scholars was to avoid literalism regarding the “bodily” sense of the Wajh and to consciously reject the implications of anthropomorphism (tashbih) and embodiment (tajsim). Conversely, by explicitly rejecting ta’wil and tafwid, Wahhabism characterizes Wajh Allah as a literal and intrinsic attribute, asserting an “unknown quality,” which, upon analytical examination, inherently entails the acceptance of physicalist implications, despite their overt disclaimer of anthropomorphism. Consequently, this study concludes that the Wahhabi claim of representing a direct and seamless continuation of the Ahl al-Hadith methodology regarding Sifat Khabariyya is incompatible with the early Quranic-Hadith tradition, suggesting that Wahhabism presents a distinct and discordant interpretation compared to the predominant approach of early Ahl al-Hadith scholarship.
کلیدواژهها English
