The Ups and Downs of Akhbārite Thoughts in the “ Doctrine of Imamate”

Although the Akhbārīs, in contrast to the contemporary schools of thought, had an independent one, it is difficult to find in this school a unique view on the doctrine of Imamate among them.  Most of their beliefs reflect the views of the traditionist and scholars of the first Islamic centuries. Hadith-oriented and avoiding intellectual interpretation and explanation influenced their method in deducing the belief doctrines. The intensified approach of the Akhbārīs against the Shiite theologians that they had to use the minimum approach in these issues because they confront the common audience and exert the ultra-religious arguments, was the main discrepancy between the two schools, due to the Akhbārīs confidence in traditions that they claimed its bequest. Despite disagreement between the Akhbārīte schools and theologians in definition, explanation of specific virtues, and process of Imamate transformation, it is difficult to consider the Akhbārīs an independent intellectual school. The use of rational arguments to prove some matters in Imamate is undeniable and shows the Akhbārī’s interaction with other theological Imamite scholars. Thus, it could be argued the doctrine of Imamate among the Akhbārites is similar to the theologians and mixed with the traditions, but without textual analysis.