al-Uthmaniyya
- Author died
- 255 AH
- Editions
- Dār al-Jīl
al-Uthmaniyya (The Uthmaniyya) is a theological-political treatise by the Mu'tazilite scholar and author al-Jahiz (d. 255 AH / 869 CE) that presents and defends the doctrine of the Uthmaniyya faction regarding the imamate and the superior merit of Abu Bakr over Ali ibn Abi Talib .
Subject and Arguments
In the treatise, al-Jahiz articulates the position of the Uthmaniyya, arguing that Abu Bakr was the most virtuous member of the Muslim community and the most deserving of the imamate . He addresses early historical debates over who embraced Islam first, presenting arguments that prioritize Abu Bakr's conversion over Ali's . According to the arguments recorded in the text, Abu Bakr converted as an independent, wealthy adult who endured hardship and spent his fortune to free enslaved Muslims and promote the religion, whereas Ali was a dependent minor under the Prophet's care who did not possess wealth to expend or face the same risks .
The work also compares significant historical events, contrasting Abu Bakr’s companionship with the Prophet in the cave during the migration (hijra) with Ali’s sleeping in the Prophet’s bed . Furthermore, al-Jahiz weighs Ali's martial prowess against Abu Bakr's steadfastness and political wisdom during major crises, citing Abu Bakr's judgment during the Treaty of al-Hudaybiyya, upon the death of the Prophet, in fighting the apostasy wars regarding zakat, and in deploying the expedition of Usama ibn Zayd .
Theory of the Imamate
Beyond the comparative merits of the Companions, the text examines theological arguments concerning the imamate and refutes the Shia doctrine of explicit textual designation (nass) for Ali . Al-Jahiz contends that the general populace (al-amma) is unfit to appoint a leader due to ignorance and passion, placing the responsibility of recognizing and appointing the rightful imam upon the discerning elite (al-khassa) .
Refutations and Reception
al-Uthmaniyya provoked strong counterarguments from both contemporary Mu'tazilite thinkers and later Shia scholars:
- Abu Ja'far al-Iskafi (d. 240 AH / 854 CE), a prominent Baghdadi Mu'tazilite theologian, composed a direct refutation titled Naqd al-Uthmaniyya (or Naqd maqalat al-Uthmaniyya), in which he accused al-Jahiz of partisan bias and distorting historical reports to diminish Ali's virtues . Excerpts of al-Iskafi's refutation were preserved by Ibn Abi al-Hadid in his commentary on Nahj al-Balagha .
- Abu al-Jaysh al-Muzaffar ibn Muhammad al-Balkhi (d. 367 AH / 978 CE), an Imami theologian and traditionist, wrote Naqd kitab al-Uthmaniyya .
- Abu al-Fadl Asad ibn Ali al-Ghassani (485–534 AH / 1092–1140 CE), an Imami scholar from Aleppo, also authored a refutation of the work .
Modern Editions
A summary of excerpts from the text and al-Iskafi's response was compiled by Hasan al-Sandubi in his collection Rasa'il al-Jahiz (Cairo, 1352 AH) . A complete critical edition of al-Uthmaniyya based on manuscript evidence was later edited by Abd al-Salam Harun and published in Cairo in 1955, including al-Iskafi's Naqd as an appendix .
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