The Relationship between the Mu'tazilah and Rationalists

Abstract

     The study deals with the issue of the link between the Mu'tazilah and the new Rationalists. It aims to highlight the emergence of the old and modern mental schools. The study also aims to show the general features of the old and modern mental schools, and the aspects of similarities and differences between the Mu'tazilah and the new Rationalists. The researcher has used the inductive and analytical approach while investigating the study.  Through this study, the researcher has found a number of results, the most important of which are:

1. The first seed of Rationalists is the Mu'tazilah, who are the founders of the old rational school, and the modern mental school is an extension of them.
2. The relationship between the Mu'tazilah and the Rationalists lies in the sanctification and glorification of reason over religious texts, and then they differ among themselves in methods, tools, goals and directions.
3. There are inheritors, predecessors and inheritance among the Mu'tazilah and the Rationalists:

     The inheritors: are the new Rationalists or the modern mental school (the new Mu'tazilah). The predecessors: are the first source, the Mu'tazilah of the old mental school. Inheritance: is the preference of mind over transmission, (Religious Texts).

     Thoughts and mental trends are still renewed at different times, but through history, reality and experience, we know that: “Every person has an inheritor”.

1. The characteristic of the contemporary rational school is: the exaggeration of the human mind and its priority over religion, as well as the renewal of the perspective of Islam and its interpretation according to the requirements of the modern era in terms of creed, thought, legislation and politics by raising attractive banners and bright slogans.