On theological-philosophical teachings of the Mu'tazilite school

Abstract

The paper discusses several issues that were in the centre of interest of the most important representatives of the Mu'tazilite school. It is a concept of God's absolute transcendence presented through rational arguments. The transcendence of God also becomes a central theological-philosophical question in Abu Hudayl, Vasil Ibn Ata, Jubai, Nazzam, Abu Hashim and others. The whole theory of Mu'tazilites about divine properties, modes, or states functions as proof of divine transcendence and the idea of creation clothed in philosophical form. These theories cannot be validly formed unless the notion of the oneness of God (tawhid) is abstracted. Mu'tazilites add another category to this notion, which has a metaphysical meaning, and that is divine justice, which they relate to ethical concepts, that is, to man's freedom and responsibility.

Keywords

• divine oneness
• mu'tazilite thought
• transcendence
• properties
• modes
• states
• creation
• freedom
• responsibility