The Tashbeh and Tanzeh Doctrines in Early Period of Kalam: a Case of al-Moushabbihah and al-Jahmeyya

In this study, the topic of the description of divinity, which is considered to be the cornerstone of Kalam studies, is researched within the framework of 'al-Moushabbiha'' and ''al-Jahmeyyah'', which are the pioneers of the The Similitude (Tashbeh) Doctrine and the Exoneration (Tanzeh) Doctrine, which are both completely opposite to one another. The thesis consists of an introduction, three chapters and a conclusion. In the ''Introduction'' section, the topic of research, its importance, its method, and the academic sources that were used, are discussed. In the first chapter, general information is given on the topic over the course of two parts, under the titles ''Descriptions of Divinity'', ''the Description of Divinity befor Islam'' and ''The Desrciption of Divinity in Islam''. In the first chapter, general information is given by examining "Divinity Descriptions" which comprises "The Pre-Islamic Descriptions of The Divinity" and "The Islamic Descriptions of The Divinity". In the second chapter, it takes part that "The Similitude (Tashbeh) Doctrine/ The Divinity Descriptions of al-Moushabbiha" with the meaning of similitude (tashbeh) in terms of Kalam Studies. After that, with "The Remarks of al-Moushabbiha on The Similitude (Tashbeh) Doctrine" subheadings and "The Critics of The Similitude (Tashbeh) Doctrine" is explained as well. In the third chapter, "The Exoneration (Tanzeh) Doctrine" with the terminological meaning of exoneration (Tanzeh) in Kalam Studies is pointed out. Therewithal, "The Divinity Descriptions based on views of al-Jahmeyyah " is expounded not with omitting "The Critics of The Exoneration (Tanzeh) Doctrine". In the "Conclusion" section, the views of the al-Moushabbiha and al-Jahmeyya were evaluated and compared. Those two contrast approaches of "The Description of The Divinity" is examined moderately by not being in favour of either one.