~2.jpeg)
The function of theology is not always understood even by those who are otherwise seriously concerned with the affairs of leading prayers, the Imams. This is party becouse of some misunderstanding as to what theology really is and the party becouse there is a lurking fear I n the minds of many that theological study might seriously undermine the foundations of simple faith.
Some people feel that modern study of theology is also dangerous and disturbing and wakens believer's power of his witness in preaching and teaching by confusing his mind with the opinions of Aimma, the doctors of theology which seem to run contrary in some of the theological discussions.
These are categorical cases cited that of Imam Abu hanifa, the propounder of hanafi shari'ah and his disciples who in some cases different from one another.
The most prominent differences arose in the dialogues of I mam Abu Hanifa, Imam Malik and Imam Hambal but they were not in the matter of Religious principles ('Usul ).
Some people may argue that such differences of opinions amongst the theologians and jurists May distract a believer by doubts rather than confirm him in the power of the Qur'an and the Sunnah, but all these doubts arising in the mind
of a believer could safely be removed by understanding the prophetic tradition that the differences of opinions (Ikhtilaf) in my nation (Umma) is mercy (Rahmah), opinions may differ among truth's seekers; the conclusions of one generation or school of thought may be proved Only partially right by another.
But whatever the failure of men's faulty judgements in preventing the truth , we may go forward in the belief that the God of Truth intends truth to prevail, Abu Hanifa the hanafite doctor of religion , likewise says "it is mercy that there should be differences in the community".
When we go through the history of muslim thougut it becomes evident that some sufi-theologians have opposed the dry-theologians and have put a greater
emphasis on the esoteric knowledge rather than on the exoteric knowledge as they term theology as 'Ilm al_zahir (the science of apparent things).
The famous maulana jalal al_Din rumi is reported to have said in his mathnavi: if by the discussions alone the affairs of religion had been accomplished, then fakhr al_Din al_Razi would have been the possesor of the secrets of religion"
But this does not mean that rejects theology as of no value in its right place, anyone who reads Rumi's mathnavi with discernment cannot fail to observe that it deals with theology extensively Maintaining that the shari'ah (sacred law of religion) is in itself the Tariqah (the mystical way or sufi-path).
Theology in short is the backbone of faith and Shaikh Sa'adi Shirazi has said that a man without Knowledge cannot no God, Thus theology is rather like a map which gaides in our exploration of the geography of our faith. The task of the theologians is to distinguish between truth and falsehood and to demonstrated and commend the truth.