The relationship between the Sufism and Mutazilism

There were serious disagreements between the Sufism and Mutazilism, both of which came about in the second century AH., for the Sufism proximity to Ahl al- Hadith (the people of the hadith) thought, namely the Shafii, Hanbali, Maliki, Thauri and Zahirite sects. This is considered as the major issue of discrepancy among Sufists and Mu’tazilists. Since the people of the hadith were irreconcilable enemies of the Mutazilites so was the unavoidable clash between Sufists and Mutazilites thought. Moreover, these two doctrines had disagreements over several other issues; the most important of which was denying the spiritual theurgy of Sufi leaders by Mutazilites. In addition, there were some differences on the subjects like attributes of god, seeing god, determinism and free will. Having experienced a heyday in the Buyid period, the Mutazilsm finally exterminated. Although the Asharis played a chief role in this event, the Sufi’s part was also considerable. This paper studies on the reasons of disagreement between the Sufists and Mutazilites and the role of Sufism in declining the Mutazilism.