The Approaches Taken by Imamiyyah Theologians toward Philosophy in the Sixth Century After Hijrah

Dr. Ali Naqi Khodayari [1]

One of the issues which are worthy of being studied in the field of the history of the Imamiyyah theology is the approaches and interactions of the Imamiyyah theologians toward the philosophy and the philosophical instructions in different periods. Based on the present study, in the sixth century, the approaches of the Imamiyyah followers toward philosophy can be classified into positive approach and negative and critical approach. In the positive approach one can recognize strategies such as: application of the philosophical principles and instructions in verification of theological issues, acceptance of some of the philosophical instructions inconsistent with the theological instructions, philosophical historiography, quoting the words of philosophers in ethical texts, hagiographies, and interpretations of the Qur'an. The negative confrontation with the philosophy and philosophical instructions are also carried out through three forms of general criticism, falsification and criticism of the philosophical principles and instructions. The most important controversial issues criticized by the Imamiyyah theologians include: the manner of God's activity, eternity of the world, philosophy of creation, truth of human being, resurrection, nature-based viewpoint, miracles and the ways to identify prophets. In the book of Naqd, the positive approach toward philosophy is absent and the approach taken by the author toward philosophy and philosophical instructions is totally negative and critical.

Key Words: Imamiyyah theology, Philosophy, positive approach, negative approach, falsification, sixth century, 'Abd al-Jalil Razi.

[1] Assistant professor of Al-Mustafa PBUH International University, Department of Shiite Studies.