Author name:
جاسم حسن هاشم
Supervisor name:
عبد الخضر عباس علي العبيدي
Abstract:
Theological studies need correlated series of studying of a topic in itself away from its history, and this means the studying of the theological questions discussed in theology. This study is not separated from studying the history of that topic, its inception, and evolution, and then, studying of different texts comparatively. Theology is in much need of this kind of study; therefore, we cannot consider these studies as historical; rather, they are from the very essence of theology. The one, who should study sects, their basics, and methods, is a theologian and not a historian. In fact, historians are dependent on theologians, in quoting topics and classification of sects; and consequently, we can deal with theology in two ways : first, through pursuing its historical origin, its evolution, and the reproduction of sects one from another; and second, the study of theological topics and reviewing of sects through these topics. Both ways do not go out of theology’s sphere; therefore, we have chosen this topic, titled “the books of sects and doctrines from the fourth century to the sixth century AH, a study on basics and method”, for it has formed, and still forms the main material for researchers in knowing the views of the scholars of those sects and doctrines. In fact, these books are not free from clearly methodological mistakes, and inaccuracy in the ascription of doctrines to their authors. Hence, we have tried to inquire about that and diagnose it through followingthe inductive and analytical method, and got to the necessity of taking views and beliefs from theirauthors, and the necessity ofjudging the sects and their beliefs through their books,and not the books of their opponents. This study comesas a contribution to reduce extremism, and to prove that most of theological differences would not necessitate complete differentiation, and being out of the circle of Islam.They are purely discretionary opinions, which Islam has ensured by giving a highest value to reason, and urging on Muslims to pursue their beliefsby pondering and reasoning.The study has got to two important points : first, is the need of studies that compare between the thoughts of one of the Islamic sects and the thoughts and beliefs ascribed to it in the books of other sects, especially the current sects, such as the Twelver Shia, the Zeidites, the Ash’arites, the Ibadhites, and others. We think that such studies will reduce the intensity of extremism, and help the convergence between the different sects. The second is the need of paying much attention to the study of sects and views as an independent science, because this paves the way for Islamic theology, contributes to consolidating of theological questions, defines the reasons behind their existence, deals with the political, social, and historical dimensions of those questions; and consequently, can differentiate between what is appropriate to be called a sect, and what is to be considered as a social or political phenomenon, like the Murjites and the Jabrites.
