Adab Circle & Rereading the Reasons behind Expulsion of Aḥmad al-Barqī from Qum and his Return

Abstract

According to early Imami scholars' point of view, Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin Khālid al-Barqī, one of the most prominent Shiite figures in the third century, was expelled from Qum by Aḥmad bin Muḥammad bin ʿīsā al-Ashʿarī for relying on both weak narrators and unauthentic traditions. Aḥmad al-Barqī, however, has been returned to Qum for unknown reasons after passage of time. Applying historical and analytic methods, this study for the first time makes effort to elucidate the reasons for Barqī's expulsion from Qum as well as his return to Qum. Based upon historical evidences, it became clear that affiliation of Aḥmad al-Barqī with Adab circle on one hand, and antagonistic approach of Aḥmad al-Ashʿarī towards Adab circle on the other hand leads down to exile of Barqī from Qum. To explain the reasons for return of Barqī to Qum, this study discusses the challenges between tripartite powers in Qum, scientific, political and economic. This study indicates that affiliation of Barqī with the powerful scientific circle of Adab paved the way for him to return to Qum. Moreover, strong bonds between Adab circle and political and economic powers in Qum made the social status of Barqī high, and therefore paved the way for him to return to Qum.

Keywords

• aḥmad al-barqī
• al-maḥāsin
• adab circle
• ashʿarī household
• qum