THE INFLUENCE OF MAWERANNAHR AND KHURASAN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE TRADITIONS ON AL-HAKIM AT-TIRMIDHI

Abstract

The article analyzes the processes of the emergence of the Ahl ar-Ra'y and Ahl al-Hadith schools of thought, as well as the factors that influenced their formation. In particular, in the work of ash-Shahristani "Al-Milal va-n-nihal" a short description of these two schools is given. The article reveals that the difference in the approach to the sources of Sharia between Ahl al-Hadith and Ahl ar-Ra'y is not like the difference between conservatives and liberals, but rather a manifestation of two different approaches to the implementation of the provisions of the Koran and the Sunnah. In this regard, Ahl al-Ra'y took a more intellectual approach to the Qur'an and Sunnah, while Ahl al-Hadith preferred a more literal approach.

According to popular belief, scholars include the Hanafi madhhab in Ahl ar-Ra'y and three other madhhabs – Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali in Ahl al-Hadith. In the history of Islam, there were schools (madhhabs) in addition to the four schools of jurisprudence of Ahl al-Sunnah, but they joined other schools and gradually disappeared from the scene of the History: Avzai, Jariri (ibn Jarir Tabari), Zahiri or Dawoodi and others.

The author sheds light on the emergence of large centers of the Hanafi madhhab in Iraq, Khorasan and Mawerannahr and notes several reasons for the high position of the Hanafi madhab in the region: ruling classes support, the ability of the madhhab to quickly adapt to new realities, the appointment of judges in most cases from among the Hanafi faqihs, consideration of traditions in making judgments, etc. The article reveals that madhhabs, except for Hanafism, could not spread widely in Khorasan and Mawerannahr in the 9th-10th centuries. As a result of the establishment of the Hanafi faith in the region, theologian from Samarkand Imam al-Maturidi developed the principles of Maturidi theology. Al-Hakim at-Tirmidhi grew up in the environment of Hanafism, he witnessed the friction between Ahl al-Ra'y and Ahl al-Hadith. In his works he formed an independent position in relation to both of them.

Al-Hakim at-Tirmidhi emphasized the importance of the qiyas (analogy) methodology fruitfully used mainly by the representatives of Ahl al-Ra'y and presented his interpretation of the correct application of this methodology. He urged Ahl al-Hadith to avoid taking a literal approach and to make judgments by delving into the meaning of religious texts. Al-Hakim at-Tirmidhi also outlined in his writings the difference between the positions of Ahl al-Hadith and Ahl ar-Ra'y schools to hadith: he gave his conclusions regarding the purpose of narrations and the correct development of judgments.