An Inquiry on the Opposition to Reason and Philosophy in the Akhbārī School During the Safavid Era

Authors : Sinan Yılmaz, Ö. Faruk Erdem

Pages : 635-663

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Publication Date : 2025-04-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In Safavid Iran, the Akhbārī school rejected reason, ijma, and qiyas in the interpretation of religious texts and adopted a literalist approach based solely on the narrations in the al-Kutub al-Arba´a (الكتب الأربعة). This approach turned into a fierce opposition to philosophy. The Akhbārīs characterized philosophy, and especially the synthesizing approach of philosophers such as Mullā Sadrā, as \\\"irreligion\\\" and \\\"heresy\\\" and saw Greek philosophy as a harmful element that corrupted Islam. With the support of the Safavid state, the Akhbārīs\\\' opposition to philosophy led to the marginalization of philosophy and the oppression of philosophers. The fact that Mullā Sadrā had to leave Isfahan is an important example of this pressure. The Akhbārīs pursued two main strategies against philosophy: The first is to create a negative perception of philosophy and philosophers by constantly denigrating them, and the second is to develop systematic criticisms of the fundamental issues of philosophy. They criticized the philosophers on issues such as the eternity of the universe, God\\\'s will and God\\\'s knowledge of particulars, and considered these views to be contrary to God\\\'s attributes and blasphemy. The Akhbārī movement of the Safavid period constitutes an important example of systematic opposition to reason and philosophy in the history of Islamic thought.
Keywords : İslam Felsefesi, Şîa, Safevîler, Ahbârî Ekolü, Felsefe Karşıtlığı