Early Imamyyah Theological Knowledge Resources: A Distinctive Approach to Reason and Revelation, Nature, Perception and Intuitio

The present paper examines four of the theological knowledge sources with a distinct approach from that of the early Imamyyah theologians during the presence ara. To this end and to identify the necessary components of a paradigm and an independent model of thought among early Imamyyah theologians who distinguished themselves from their contemporary ones and also from the thinkers of the later eras, the study adopts a historical analysis based on narrative, theological, and historical sources. About the first source (intellect) and its relation to revelation, all of Imamyyah theologians, except for a small group of scholars, believed in joint authority. The early Imamyyah theologians also believed in the independent authority of intellect, but, unlike the Mu’tazila, not exclusively and without recourse to revelation. In relation to the issue of fiṭrah, the early Imamyyah theologians believed that one of the most important missions of the prophets was the awakening of human nature not rational argumentation about monotheism. As for the issue of perception, the sharp-sightedness of sense perceptions is not what theologians questioned. Finally, in contrast with the extreme views of tradition-oriented Sunnis and also intellect-oriented Mu'tazilites, they took the position of explaining the ultimate being through heart sight..