A Critical Examination of the View of Currents Denying Ijtihad and Taqlid during the Occultation Period of Imam Mahdi

Knowledge learning and referring to people of knowledge are two concepts embedded in human nature, which have existed among people in the form of the doctrine of "Ijtihad and Taqlid" since the time of Imams. This is an important matter based on the verses of the Qur'an, hadiths, the lifestyle of the jurists and the intellect, and it is a necessary introduction to the knowledge of religion. Over time, this doctrine has been attacked by deviant currents. With a wrong understanding of the meaning of "Ijtihad", a wrong view of the validation of ancient texts such as al-Kafi, and a lack of correct understanding of the Usul rules, they suspect the invalidity of this doctrine. The authors are seeking to re-examine the claim of contemporary currents in this issue through a descriptive-analytical method and continue to criticize. The findings suggest that what is meant by "reprehensible ijtihad" is the comparison and approval found in Sunni jurisprudence (Fiqh). Considering the writing style and the way of the mujtahids (religious scholars) during the minor occultation era, using the Usul principles is a necessary task and in accordance with the order of the Ahl al-Bayt for the correct understanding of the religion, and the need to examine the narratives in the ancient books has led the Usul scholars to the term ijtihad.