The Justice (al-ʿAdāliyyah) of Imam Amīr al-Mu'minīn ʿAlī from the Perspective of Sunni Theologians: A Critical Analytical Study of Their Position on His Caliphate and Imamate

Abstract

Imam Ali University (AS), Ahvaz – Faculty of Islamic Wisdom and Theology – Shi’a Theology Department – Imamate Branch. This study aims to analyze the rational and textual evidence affirming the necessity of appointing the most just (al-a‘dal) in the system of Imamate and Caliphate within Islamic political thought, with a focus on Imam Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) as the most prominent exemplar of justice. The article adopts an analytical-critical methodology to examine the views of Sunni scholars, including a systematic critique of the positions of Ibn Taymiyya and Salafi movements, which prioritize political considerations over justice. The study explores the concepts of justice (adl), the most just (al-a‘dal), caliphate (khilāfa), and Imamate (imāma), analyzing their lexical and terminological definitions according to Sunni theologians. It also discusses textual evidence from the Prophetic tradition (Sunna), such as the hadiths "The most judicious among you is Ali" and "The Hadith of Ghadir," which emphasize the superiority of Imam Ali (AS) in leadership.  Furthermore, the study examines rational arguments, such as the proof of divine wisdom (ḥikma) and the proof of public interest (maṣlaḥa), demonstrating that appointing the most just is a rational necessity to ensure the stability of the Islamic system. The study also critiques the views of Ibn Taymiyya and Salafi currents, highlighting that his definition of al-a‘dal unjustifiably narrows the scope without definitive evidence and contradicts the methodology of the majority of theologians. Additionally, it refutes his claims denying the obligation of the caliphate and permitting multiple rulers, exposing their inconsistency with scriptural texts and historical consensus.  In conclusion, the study affirms that justice is the fundamental condition for the legitimacy of the Imamate and that Imam Amir al-Mu’minin Ali (AS) represents the most perfect model of rightful leadership based on textual and rational evidence. It also demonstrates that violating this principle leads to systemic disorder and societal corruption, underscoring the necessity of adhering to the criterion of justice in Islamic governance and appointing the most qualified individual in leadership selection.