Translating Epistemic Norms into Social Hierarchy: The Social and Emotional Repercussions of a Theological Controversy

This study examines the contested underlying assumptions of premodern Islamic theology and their social and emotional repercussions. On one side of this controversy were the speculative theologians or mutakallimūn, Mutakallimūn (theologians) who asserted that knowledge about the world that is attained through the senses should be part of doing the science of theology because it reveals aspects of God. They also contended that it is possible to attain insights regarding God through speculationSpeculation based on human rational faculties. Their ideological opponents were the TraditionalistsTraditionalists, traditionistsmuḥaddithūn or muḥaddithūn, who insisted on a separation between natural scientific knowledge and theology. The Traditionalists argued that human rational faculties, being imperfect, are inadequate for theological investigation; Muslim theological doctrine must derive solely from clear statements that appear in the holy texts. Drawing upon their contrasting views regarding theology, the two currents envisioned very different socio-religious hierarchies. Furthermore, they developed a strong enmity towards each other. When these three factors—contrasting perceptions of theology, conflicting socio-religious hierarchies, and mutual contempt—are taken into consideration, it is possible to better understand the tension and violence that erupted between them throughout the premodern period.