The attitudes of Basra and Baghdad ecole in the process of mihna

Mu'tazilah sect is one of the most important idea movements in Islam thought history. It is a sect with deep effects on Islam thought. In its period, the leading figures of the sect stood for the rationalist thought in Islam and had remarkable effects not only in their period but also in the future. Mu'tazilah defined its basic principals as " usul-î hamse/five fundamentals" and focused on Islamic theology and philosophic matters. It drew attention with its rationalist attitude to solve these matters. Mu'tazilah, consisting of people with different ideas, is generally divided into two groups as Basra and Bagdat schools. Although I'tizal idea first appeared in Basra, in time it was moved to Bagdat by Bişr b. Mu'temir and Bağdat school was generated. Mihna events are, without doubt, the most important turning and breaking points in Mu'tezilite's history. General conviction about Mihna events is that Mu'tazilahe had an active role in these events. Of course it is a conviction that needs to be enlightened. In fact, people following Mu'tazilah's Bağdat school had an active role in starting and keeping on Mihna process. Also some people from Bağdat school are in the opinion that they should keep away from politics. Some people from Basra school were very close to the palace; however they didn't have any effect and contribution to the Mihna process. Though Mu'tazilah was always thought to be responsible for Mihna events in Caliph Mütevekkil and later periods, that idea does not comfort with the realities of the history. When all these taken into consideration, it can be seen that both Bagdat and Basra schools had different ideas and attitudes towards Mihna practices, relations with politics and İmamat subjects.