Journal Of Islamic Denominations

Journal Of Islamic Denominations

The Role of Muʿtazilite Rationalism in the Flourishing and Development of the Islamic Civilization During the Abbasid Era

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Seyed Hassan Quorishi karin 1
sayid hossein musa pour 2
Mohammad taher Yaghobi 3
yazdan farrokhi 4
1 Assistant professor, Department of History, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD student, Teaching Islamic Doctrines, Islamic History and Civilization, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
3 Assistant professor, Department of the History of Culture and Civilization, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
4 Associate professor, Department of History, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jid.2023.309753.2272
Abstract
There is no doubt that the Abbasid era stands out as one of the most remarkable and illustrious periods in Islamic civilization. This distinction can be attributed to various factors, with the Muʿtazilite school of thought playing a pivotal role by promoting rationalism in scholarly discourse. Utilizing the descriptive-analytic approach, this article explores the relationship between the Muʿtazilites and the Abbasid government, with a specific focus on the impact of Muʿtazilite theologians within the Abbasid court and the patronage they received from the caliphs' political authority. Additionally, we delve into the origins of Muʿtazilite rationalism and examine the various factors that contributed to the significant influence of the Muʿtazilites in fostering the growth and development of Islamic civilization during the Abbasid era. The Muʿtazilites made significant contributions in several areas, including scholarly debates, engaging with non-Muslim scholars, establishing scholarly and cultural centers, and promoting the role of reason in Islamic theology. These endeavors played a crucial role in promoting argumentative reason within the Islamic community during the Abbasid era. As a result, the civilization thrived and flourished through rationalism.
Keywords
Muʿtazilites
rationalism
civilization
Abbasids
Islamic theology
Subjects
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