The possibility and methodology of knowing God in the early theologians and sufis

Kalam scholars have considered the subject of knowing and knowing God as the purpose of kalam. In this thesis, the ways of the theologians and the terms they use are examined. In addition, the approaches of Sufi scholars to the issue were taken into consideration. In our study, a comparative evaluation was made between the scholars of kalam and sufi. Due to the wide scope of the study, the period of the previous (mutakaddimin) was emphasized. As it is known, this period belongs to before Abu Hamid Ghazali (d. 505/1111). Theologians and Sufis expressed the subject of knowing God in the term Marifat Allah. In order to better understand the issue of Marifat Allah, in our thesis, the means of obtaining information according to the disciplines of kalam and sufism were examined. In addition, the term of Marifat Allah has been studied on terms that have close meaning. The main purpose of this thesis is to reveal the methods of Kalam scholars and Sufi scholars that are used in the point of knowing God, which are specific to their systems. The Kalam scholars used the term Marifat Allah very little, which meant knowing God. On the other hand, sufis have committed Marifat Allah as a concept of principle. In Kalam literature, under the terms of contemplation, nazar, tafakkur, dhikr and istidlal are considered as the actions of reason/aql. The Sufis accepted Marifat Allah as the deeds of the heart.