Modern M’utazilites, Ancient Salafis, Ages of Reason and Unreason...........
“It’s not surprising that Al Jahiz, who was affiliated with the Mutazila school of thought that dominated Basra and Baghdad between the 8th and 10th centuries, would express such views. But that his society accommodated and even supported them is worth noting. The ruling elite of the time formally embraced the Mutazilite movement, which held that questions of faith and life should be grounded in reason. This encouraged a relatively open exchange of views, which was not just accessible to philosophers. Musicians, scientists, and theologians also thrived in this environment…… The fact that the poetry of Abu Nuwas survived for hundreds of years, full of verses about what would be considered taboo subjects even today, indicates that a degree of openness and tolerance survived for centuries. Even the latest editions of his works omit some of his more daring verses. Indeed, as the state’s patronage of the Mutazila movement began to decline, aspects of intolerance started to take root. ……”
(Al-Jahiz literally means the "bug-eyed").
The M’utazilite movement stresses reason in interpreting Islamic doctrine rather than tradition (Sunna) and the literal aspects of the Quran. In that, they have had ‘some’ influence on the evolution of Shi’a (Shi’ite) theology.
But that was then. This is now: the age of Salafi Wahhabi, allied with absolute despots and life-time dictators. Under Salafi doctrine, reason is thrown out the window, the brain a suspected source of doubt and apostasy.
Cheers
mhg
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