The prophet in kalam and sufism literature in the first four centuries of the hijri: the example of İmam Maturidi and Hakim Tirmidhi

This master's thesis offers a comparative analysis of the concept of prophecy (Nubuwwah) within the frameworks of two major Islamic disciplines, Kalām and Tasawwuf (Sufism), covering the early classical period (the first four Hijri centuries). The study specifically focuses on Imam al-Māturīdī (d. 333/944) as the representative of Kalām and al-Hakīm al-Tirmidhī (d. 320/932) as the figurehead of early Tasawwuf. The thesis first investigates the historical background and the prophetic concepts inherited by both thinkers. Subsequently, fundamental themes such as prophecy, wilāyah (sainthood), sources of knowledge, methods of authentication (miracles-karāmāt), and the attributes of the prophet and wali are contrasted, primarily using al-Māturīdī's Kitāb al-Tawḥīd and al-Tirmidhī's Khatm al-Awliyā'. Imam al-Māturīdī approaches prophecy from a rational and realist perspective, emphasizing its outward (zahirī) aspects such as morality and infallibility (iṣmah). He views prophecy as a necessity stemming from God's justice and wisdom, positing it as an essential institution for human guidance. Al-Māturīdī validates the source of prophetic knowledge (revelation) through mutawātir reports and reason (aql). He assigns limited significance to the esoteric concept of wilāyah as developed in tasawwuf, prioritizing the human dimension of the prophet. Al-Hakīm al-Tirmidhī, conversely, examines prophecy within, spiritual, and spiritual framework. He links prophecy with the concept of wilāyah, viewing it as an inheritance that continues to exert influence after the final prophet. According to Tirmidhī, the awliyā (saints) attain God's knowledge through, karamah, inspiration (ilhām) and unveiling (kashf), drawing from the spiritual light (nūr) of the Prophet. He is particularly noted for systematizing the concept of the Seal of the Saints (Khatm al-Awliyā'), positioning wilāyah as the esoteric continuation of the prophetic mission, explained through concepts like ḥadīth (divine inner speech), firāsah (spiritual insight), and ḥikmah (wisdom). In conclusion, this thesis highlights the methodological and conceptual divergence between the exoteric and rational approach of kalām and the esoteric and intuitive approach of tasawwuf, underscoring the richness of the prophetic concept in Islamic thought. The differences observed between al-Māturīdī and al-Tirmidhī are manifestations of the varying philosophies of knowledge-rational proofs versus spiritual intuition—adopted by their respective disciplines. This work is distinguished as one of the first comparative studies directly addressing the prophetic concepts of these two pivotal figures.