Different Views of Commentators on the Concept of Heresy; the Basis for the Growth of Salafi Movements

Heresy is one of the most important and widely used titles among Muslims, which every group and religion tries to use as a tool for its benefit. In the meantime, Shiite and Sunni commentators, both in different era, have had diverse and sometimes challenging views on this issue to the extent that each of them has accused the opposite group of heresy. The main topic of this study is that; what interpretations the commentators had on the issue of heresy and how their views have provided the ground for the growth of Salafi movements. Therefore, attempts were made to first discuss the opinions of Shiite and Sunni commentators regarding the literal and terminological concept of heresy, then criticize these views and finally deal with the results of these opinions and views based on the reality of the topic. The findings indicated that the commentators have considered heresy the same as concepts like; unprecedent topic, non-religious phenomenon, canonization, hadiths and opposition to the Qur'an and Sunnah, and by interfering with religious prejudices, not specifying the territory of heresy and not having a single standard for heresy, they have paved the way for the growth of Salafi movements.