Ali Aqajani
Abstract
The strategical position of vice and virtue in the political theology of Muʿtazila, as Imamat is next to it, has had extreme effects on the political history of this group. This research, ...
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The strategical position of vice and virtue in the political theology of Muʿtazila, as Imamat is next to it, has had extreme effects on the political history of this group. This research, using a theoretical framework of the typology of the positive and negative fight, and participation in power, has studied this impact. Responding to the question of the position and impact level of vice and virtue in history of Muʿtazila, the theory of capacity and dimension of the fifth element of Muʿtazila toward social-cultural act and political act in history, has been tested in the form of three approaches based on the theoretical framework. Therefore, the article shows that there are three historical approaches toward vice and virtue between Muʿtazilids: The approach of positive fight that is about to combat with illegitimate rulers, as taking part in the uprising of Hassanids and the uprising against Valid b. Zaid. Next is the approach of the negative fight that goes on close to an insurgency but does not make an effective action, as Wasil b. ‘Ata and ‘Amr b. Ubaid did. The third approach is cooperating in power as the think having access to the centers of authority is necessary for spreading their opinion, as Ibn Abī Duʾād and T̲h̲umāma b. As̲h̲ras did so. These three approaches show the formation of Revolutionaries, Reformists, and Indecisives beside the semi-Idealogic and authoritarian government in the history of Muʿtazila.
