Akhbaris: Difference between revisions

===Vahid al-Bihbahani===

The Usuli-Akhbari struggle, which began in the 11th century A.H. (17th century) and continued with the emergence of Akhbari extremism, turned into a consistent and serious fight against Akhbarism by Usuli scholars, most prominent of whom was Vahid al-Bihbahani (d. 1205 A.H./ 1791). At this time, many cities in [[Iraq]], particularly [[Karbala]] and [[Najaf]], were centers of Akhbarism, administered and led by [[Shaykh Yusuf al-Bahrani]]. Proponents of Usul and ijtihad were isolated at this point, until Vahid migrated to Karbala and started a serious, persistent campaign against Akhbarism.

Along with his theoretical arguments against Akhbarism and for the method of ijtihad, Vahid took practical measures against Akhbaris as well. For example, he issued a fatwa according to wchih it was illegitimate to say prayers under the leadership of Shaykh Yusuf al-Bahrani. As a consequence of such theoretical and practical struggles, Usuli scholars overtook the power and dominance in Shiite regions.

A book by Vahid in the rejection of Akhbarism and the defense of ijtihad is Risala al-ijtihad wa al-akhbar. Given his serious and long theoretical and practical battles against Akhbarism, Vahid al-Bihbahani has been considered as the propagator of Shiism and the reviver of ijtihad in the 13th century A.H. (18th and 19th centuries).