THE THEOLOGICAL DEBATE IN BAGHDAD IN THE 5TH/11TH CENTURY

Abstract

The purpose of this paper will be to place the Imāmī theology of the Essence and Attributes of God in the context of the overall debate among the major interlocutors, the Imāmīs, the Mu‘tazila and the Ash‘arīs. The main focus will be on two levels of dispute: issues of total divergence, like the imāmate, and issues of partial concurrence – where the essential concept is a matter of agreement, while the details are subject to significant doctrinal difference.