المعنى الاصطلاحي

Sects who adopted scholastic theology and its philosophical principles as a methodology in proving issues related to belief.

الشرح المختصر

"Scholastic theologians" is a title used widely for many sects in the Muslim Ummah. They came up with rational methods and philosophical theories to establish and affirm beliefs and to rebut those who oppose them in these matters, turning away from (abandoning) the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. "Scholastic theology" refers to the science based upon intellectual evidences and philosophical proofs to affirm and establish beliefs. The emergence of scholastic theologians was at the end of the era of the Tabi'is (second generation after the Prophet's time) in Basra. They were called so because the first dispute in religion was related to Allah’s speech (Kalaam), whether it was created or not. People spoke about it and delved into the subject, hence they were called “Ahlul-Kalaam”. It was also said that they were called so because they frequently spoke, argued, and delved into matters related to creed such as Allah’s attributes, resurrection and other issues; without referring to the Qur'an and Sunnah. Scholastic theologians do not all fall in one category or degree. They include many sects, each of them is ascribed or attributed to its founder like the Jahmiyyah, Mu`tazilah, Asha`irah and others. Scholastic theologians passed through a number of stages, which are: First: The stage when they were influenced by philosophical terminologies, and logical principles, when the Greek books of philosophy were translated into Arabic. Second: The stage when the Ash`arites delved into scholastic theology in opposition to the Mu`tazilites. This stage was distinguished by laying down the principles and the basic rules of scholastic theology that the student needs it such as the affirmation of "Jawhar" (essential substance), “`Arad” (incidental attributes), etc. Third: This stage was distinguished by discussing the ideas of the philosophers, and including them in scholastic theology, in addition to using the logic of Aristotle in the introduction of scholastic theology and the study of its proofs and evidences.