INTERCESSION ACCORDING TO THE MU’TAZILITES: AN ANALYTICAL CRITICAL STUDY

In this study, I have addressed a significant doctrinal issue of great importance in the Sunni-Mu'tazilite doctrinal disagreement, which is the topic of intercession (al-shafa'a), focusing specifically on the Mu'tazilite perspective on intercession.I have adopted a descriptive, analytical, and critical approach in my study of this matter.The study is divided into an introduction, two sections, four subtopics, and a conclusion that includes the most important findings and recommendations.In the introduction, I outlined the research problem, its significance, objectives, and the study's methodology.I then proceeded to discuss the core topic in two main sections and four subtopics.In the first section, I explored the foundational aspects of intercession according to Mu'tazilites.This section is divided into two subtopics: the first subtopic presents and lists the statements of Mu'tazilite leaders on intercession for those who commit major sins; the second subtopic discusses the evidence and arguments Mu'tazilites relied on to deny intercession, and I offered counterarguments to their claims.The second section delves into the Sunni view of intercession.This section is also divided into two subtopics: in the first subtopic, I presented the statements of Sunni scholars on intercession; in the second subtopic, I detailed the types of intercession according to the Sunni scholars.I concluded the study with a summary of the key findings and recommendations.The study concluded that Mu'tazilites do not reject intercession outright; rather, their denial is specifically related to those who commit major sins and die without proper repentance.However, they disregarded many scriptural evidences and avoided clinging to explicit texts.Nonetheless, the research stresses the importance of scientific respect for any opinion that has principles and foundations, even if it differs from the majority view, while avoiding oversimplification of thought and dismissing it as ignorance.