Mirza Makhdum and criticism of Shiism

ABSTRACT MÎRZÂ MAKHDÛM AND CRITICISM OF SHIISM CANKURT, Şehmus Doctoral Thesis, Department of Basic Islamic Sciences Thesis Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Fevzi RENÇBER April 2024, 269 pages Mīrzā Makhdūm's criticisms of Shia and, in particular, Imamiyye Shia are discussed in the present study. After the general design of the study was drawn, the details were discussed. The period in which Mīrzā Makhdūm's intellectual structure was shaped was addressed, and after general information was given about his life and his works other than Al-Nawākiḍ li-Bunyān al Rawāfiḍ, Al-Nawākiḍ li-Bunyān al Rawāfiḍ, was discussed with its titles. In this respect, variables such as the purpose of the book in question, sources of information, content analysis, and its place in the rejection tradition were emphasized. The religious and political views of Mīrzā Makhdūm were uncovered, and then, after giving information about the beliefs of the Râfizis (Qizilbash ), a comparison was made with other Shiite Sects. The main subject of the study was to examine and analyze Mīrzā Makhdūm's refutation, which was called Al-Nawākiḍ li-Bunyān al Rawāfiḍ, in detail. In this respect, the ideas that emerged in the context of the rejection of Mīrzā Makhdūm's criticism of Shiism were detailed. After Mīrzā Makhdūm's critical thought was examined, his method of criticism and some of the intellectual issues he criticized were explained in the light of rational and narrated evidence, and analyses were conducted regarding his criticism of Shiism. The purpose was to obtain high benefits from the work named Al-Nawākiḍ by presenting it to the service of science and humanity. This study had a qualitative design, and Mīrzā Makhdūm's rejections of Shiite thought were discussed with the document analysis method, which is one of the qualitative research models. With the document analysis, the purpose was to determine how Mīrzā Makhdūm's criticisms towards Shiites were reflected in his work "Al-Nawākiḍ". In line with this method, the data were obtained by applying the document scanning technique and after compiling the relevant documents, the materials were examined by using descriptive analysis and content analysis within the scope of data analysis. Later, the series of events was examined from a historical-sociological-sectarian perspective. As a result of the study, it was found that the main difference between Ahl al-Sunnah and Shia was belief-centered, and despite many common points, it was also found that it was impossible to come closer between the two sects. Although there are similar narrations in the sources of both sects, it has emerged that it is not easy to come to one single common point because of facts such as beliefs, methods, understandings, interpretations, politics, and history. It is hoped that this study will contribute to the continuation of the tradition of rejection, which has continued throughout history and contributed to positive developments in the history of Islamic Thought, today and in future generations. Keywords: Mīrzā Makhdūm, Al-Nawākiḍ, Ottoman, Safavid, Ahl al-Sunnah, Shia, al-Rāfiḍa, Qizilbash.