IThe Encounter of Imamiyya Scholars of Kalam with Philosophy in the 7th Century

Imamiyya scholars of Kalam in the 7th century A.H. did not exhibit the same reaction to philosophy. The encounters of two prominent Imamiyya scholars of Kalam with philosophy are worthy of consideration. Ibn Maytham al-Baḥrānī exhibited tendencies towards philosophy, on the one hand, by providing combinations of philosophical and kalami doctrines, applying philosophical principles and doctrines in order to show views in Kalam, applying philosophical notions to the issues of Kalam, and even preferring philosophical views in some cases. On the other hand, he shows his attachment to Kalam by opposing some philosophical doctrines. However, al-Muhaqqiq al-Ḥillī showed his attachment to the common Imamiyya tradition of Kalam and opposition to philosophy by refusing to use philosophical vocabulary, ignoring the philosophical worldview, and criticizing some philosophical doctrines.