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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books History of Shi'ism: From the Advent of Islam up to the End of Minor Occultation Lesson 26: The Science of Scholastic Theology {‘ilm al-kalam} The science of scholastic theology { ‘ilm al-kalam } is the science about the totality of doctrines that every Muslim must believe. In other words, it is the science that deals with the discussion and study of the principles of religion { usul ad-din }.

The first difference in the principles of religion over the issue of Imamate { imamah } emerged immediately after the demise of the Holy Prophet (S).

Shahristani says, “The most significant difference in Islam is the difference over the Imamate, and over none of the other principles of religion was swords unsheathed.”[^1] Nawbakhti also says: The Messenger of Allah (S) passed away in Rabi‘ al-Awwal[^2] ten years after the migration { hijrah } at the age of 63 and with 23 years of apostolic mission… At the time, the ummah of Islam was divided into three groups: A group was called “Shi‘ah” which was composed of the followers { shi‘ah } of ‘Ali ibn Abi Talib ( ‘a ) from which all the Shi‘ah subgroups separated.

The second group claiming leadership and rule were the “ Ansar ” and the third group was inclined toward Abu Bakr ibn Abi Quhafah, saying: “The Holy Prophet (S) did not specified a certain person as the successor, and left the decision for it to the ummah .”[^3] As such, there have always been discussions and debates between the Shi‘ah and other Muslims over the issue of Imamate.

Yet, the difference on other principles and fundamentals of the religion emerged during the latter part of the first century and early second century AH. As Shahristani says: Difference on the principles emerged during the last days of the sahabah such as Ma‘bad Jahanni, Ghilan Damishqi and Yunus Aswari regarding predestination { qadr }, the relationship of good { khayr } and evil { sharr } to predestination.

Wasil ibn ‘Ata’, a student of Hasan al-Basri and ‘Amru ibn ‘Ubayd, had added things to the questions of predestination.[^4] Among the scholastic { kalami } sects during those periods were the Wa‘idiyyah, Khawarij, Murji’ah, and Jabariyyah.

Of course, the scholastic discussion had reached its optimal point when Wasil ibn ‘Ata’ separated from the assembly of Hasan al-Basri and founded the Mu‘tazilah sect.[^5] In this manner, the Mu‘tazilah school, based mainly on rational deductions, was against the Ahl al-Hadith which was called “Hashawiyyah”.