Beliefs of the Imamiyah in Sheikh Mofid's Kalām

Sheikh Mofid, who has had remarkable influence upon the next theologians, is an important milestone in the history of the Imamiyah theology. This article first considers Sheikh Mofid's academic biography and his social and political status in his lifetime. Thus, in addition to considering the scientific and cultural context of Sheikh Mofid's age, the political condition of that period has been taken into account. Pointing out the richness and diversity of Sheikh Mofid's scientific works, this article also shows that he was the first scholar who concerned himself with writing on multiple subjects as well as monograph in the Shiite rational theology. The main purpose of this article is to give an account of Sheikh Mofid's reading of the beliefs of the Imamiyah. This account is based upon his Al-Nokat fi Moqaddamat-Al-Osul. Meanwhile, his other Kalām books have been considered so that a complete picture of his views can be provided. The author also attempts to show the points of interaction or contrast of his views with other theological trends by considering the theological context of Sheikh Mofid's time.