Fırak Literatüründe Mu’tezile Yanılgısı: Hişâm b. Amr el-Fuvatî Örneği
The Misconception about the Mu’tazila in Heresiographical (Firāq) Literature: The Case of Hishām b. 'Amr al-Fuwatī

Summary/Abstract: With the deepening of theological and political differences among the Islamic sects, the firāq literature formed an important corpus, aiming both to record sectarian views and to critique the rival factions. However, these works, particularly those written by Sunni authors, contained incomplete, misleading or distorted information about other sects, most notably the Mu’tazila, as a result of sectarian prejudice and the political influences of the period. This situation has also hindered an accurate understanding of the thought of Mu’tazilī theologian Hishām b. 'Amr al-Fuwatī. In this study, the views attributed to alHishām b. 'Amr al-Fuwatī are comparatively analyzed through both Sunnī firāq works - particularly those of Ash'arī, Baghdādī, Isfarāyīnī, Ibn Ḥazm, and Shahristānī- and Mu’tazilī sources, especially al-Hayyāt and al-Qā'bī. The reliability of firāq authors’ reports on alFuwatī is critically examined, and by taking into account the explanations of Mu’tazilī authors, the study discusses potential distortions in transmission, sectarian biases, and the impact of the political circumstances of the time. This method aims to develop a more equitable and accurate perspective on al-Fuwatī's intellectual world. This research concludes that Hishām b. 'Amr al-Fuwatī's views on issues such as the attribution of the name “Wakīl” to God, the indication of God's existence through accidents (a‘rād), and the nature of God’s eternal knowledge, were, in various ways, distorted or taken out of context by Sunnī Sunnī firāq authors. It is particularly evident that the accusations leveled against the Mu’tazila by Ibn al-Rāwandī - after his departure from the school- had a decisive impact on the firāq literature. This, in turn, has obscured not only of al-Fuwatī's personal views but also a proper understanding of Mu’tazilī theology in general. The study shows that the perception of the sect are shaped not only by scholarly concerns but also by historical and political conjunctures. It underscores the necessity of consulting noth only opponents’ sources on a sect but also the primary works of the given sect, in order to attain a sound comprehension of its intellectual legacy.

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