Comparative Study of the Badaʾ (Appearance) Problem in thoughts of Shiite Theologians and Philosophers

Most of the Sunni Muslims deem Shiites to be in favor of Badaʾ (lit. appearance)in its literal sense namely appearance after being hidden and hence they chargeShiites of allowing such a concept of Badaʾ for and thus denying God's omniscience.Shiite scholars traditionally advocated the doctrine of Badaʾ arguing that it is aQurʾānic truth in support of which there are many Qurʾānic verses and Hadiths in thecollections of tradition from both Sunni and Shiite Muslims.Both Sunni and Shiite scholars deny attributing Badaʾ in its literal meaning toGod, though there is difference of opinions of technical meaning. Some identify itwith abrogation and conceive a conventional difference between the two. Thepresent article is an attempt to explain various views on the reality of Badaʾ esp. onthe basis of Shiite hadiths with a reference to effects of belief in the doctrine ofBadaʾ.