Evaluating the Idea of the Precedence of Mutazilite Theologians over Imami Theologians according to Ancient Indexes and Essays

A number of theologians and historians of Islamic theology, as well as orientalists, have expressed the idea in their writings that the Imami theology did not have an independent beginning and was derived from the Mutazilite theology. The similarity of the views of the medieval Imami Shiites with the views of the Mutazilites on some theological issues has been influential in shaping such a belief. By examining and comparing the works of the early Imami theologians of the Kufa school with the works of founders of Mutazilah and that of the earlier prominent figures of this religion, which are reflected in the books of Ibn Nandim, Sheikh Tusi and Najashi, and also by comparing the opinions of them in the two books of Maghalat (Statements) by Balkhi and Maghalat al-Islamiyin (Islamists' Statements) by Ashari, we conclude that the Imami theologians took precedence over the Mutazilites in raising and addressing some theological issues, and have theorized alongside them on many issues.