Imam Hādi (as) and Confronting Ahl al-Sunnat's Theological Opinions

During the Imamate of Imam Hādi (as), Ahl al-Sunnah raised controversial theological issues that were incompatible with correct Islamic beliefs, and Imam Hādi (as) clarified and corrected them. This research is trying to analyze Imam’s encounter with some Ahl al-Sunnat’s theological opinions in a descriptive and analytical method. In this research, the encounter of Imam Hādi (as) with Ahl al-Sunnat’s theological opinions has been investigated in four issues: tashbīh (assimilation, anthropomorphism) and tanzih (elimination of anthropomorphic), jabr (predetermination of man’s action by Allah) of humans, the newness and antiquity of the Qur’an, and the succession of the Prophet (pbuh). The findings indicate: 1. in analogy and contrast, Ahl al-Sunnah either presented a physical image of them, or by focusing on their appearances, they failed to explain them rationally. Imam Hādi (as) has criticized both approaches and expressed their reasonable meaning in accordance with the Qur’an. 2. In the issue of predestination and free will, Ahl al-Sunnah believed in predestination and thought that humans lack free will in their guidance, misguidance, and actions. Imam (as) has considered the verses of guidance and misguidance as metaphors, and by denying the creation of actions by Allah the Almighty, he has proved free will. 3. Regarding the issue of the creation of the Qur’an, some of the Ahl al-Sunnah believed that the Qur’an is the word of Allah the Almighty and not created. Others believed in ḥuduth (the newness) of the Qur’an. Imam (as) considered entering into this issue as “sedition” and warned against it. Of course, it is possible to understand the implicit meaning of the Qur’an from his words. 4. In the issue of the succession of the Prophet (pbuh), Ahl al-Sunnah, citing a hadith from of the Prophet (pbuh), believe that the Islamic Ummah agreed on the pledge of allegiance to Abu Bakr. Imam Hādi (as) considered the validity of the argument to be correct when some members of the Ummah do not disagree with others.