The Interchange of the Shiic Fazl Ibn-e Shāzān with the Sunni Fazl Ibn-e Shāzān Since the Third Century (Hijra)

Fazl Ibn-e Shazan Neyshaburi is a Shiite theologian and Fazl Ibn-e Shazan Razi is a Sunnite scholar. Their similar names, living in the same period and the sameness of the titles of some of their works resulted in an interchange since the period of Ibn-e Nadim Baghdadi (380 after Hijra) and often one of them was mistaken for the other. In this article, a brief account has been provided on the successive mistakes and their instances. The strategies applied for distinguishing the two figures from each other include reintroduction of their patronymic, ancestors, teachers, students, expertise and works. The major expertise of "Abol-Qasim Fazl Ibn-e Shazan Ibn-e Isa Razi" (birthdate: 290 after Hijra), is in the Quranic sciences and interpretation; he was specially acquainted with the science of reciting the Holy Quran and he was also familiar with the religious jurisprudence. All his sheikhs and students were Sunnites. However, Abu Mohammad Fazl Ibn-e Shazan Ibn-e Khalil Neyshaburi (birthdate: 260 after Hijra) was well-known in the sciences of tradition, jurisprudence and Shiite theology. He is a prominent theorist in theology and he wrote tens of critiques on the theological tendencies in his period.