Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

Journal of Imamiyyah Studies

A Comparative Study of the Role of Imami and Salafist Methodological Foundations in their Interpretations of the Divine Attribute of Seeing: Perspectives of Sayyid Kamal al-Haydari and Salih ibn Uthaymin

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 PhD student, Wahhabi Studies, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
2 Assistant professor, Department of Islamic Denominations, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran
3 Assistant professor, Department of Islamic Denominations, University of Religions and Denominations, Qom, Iran.
Abstract
The Imami and Salafist methodological foundations significantly influence their interpretations of transmitted divine attributes (al-ṣifāt al-khabariyya). Ignoring this issue can lead to inaccurate interpretations of Quranic verses. This research adopts a descriptive-analytic and comparative method to examine the Imami and Salafist approaches to Quranic exegesis. The Imamiyya follows the approach of Ahl al-Bayt (the Prophet’s household), considering verses on divine attributes as among the ambiguous Quranic verses, and interpreting them metaphorically using reason. In contrast, Salafists prioritize the interpretations of the Prophet’s Companions (Sahaba) and their followers (tabiʿūn), emphasizing transmitted evidence over reason. They assert that the “Salaf” (early Muslims) adhered to the surface meanings of the Quran, rejecting ambiguity or metaphorical interpretation, and taking the verses at face value. Our study highlights the impact of these methodological differences on their interpretations of the divine attribute of seeing, examining the issue from ontological, epistemological, and semantic perspectives.
Keywords
Subjects

The Quran.
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