Sharif al-Murtada (d. 436/1044) and his place in usûli traditon

The Shi'a, who considered the problem of imama as one of the political-doctrinal subject, established imama oriented discourse. Imamiyya is the most important Shi'i sub-groups. Shaykh al-Mufid is the person who systemized the Usûli branch of Imamiyya, and this way of understanding became the influential factor in shaping the Imami thought after the occultation (ghayba) period. He made crucial contribution in reshaping the Imami thought. In this process, the role played by the disciples of Shaykh Mufid cannot be denied. In this sense, Sharif al-Murtada (d. 436/1044), one of the prominent disciples of Shaykh Mufid, had the special place in Usûli tradition. The latter is, in general, in line with his master in his explanation of doctrinal basis of Imami thought. Al-Murtada's crucial contribution was in terms of his separate works to explain the issues dealt with by Shaikh al-Mufid. Although al-Murtada was in agreement with al-Mufid on the issue that al-khbar is not sufficient source for shari'a law and for theological basis of religion or creed, he is in disagreement with him on the issue of reason-revelation relation and whether a prophetic saying transmitted only by one transmitter (al-khabar al-wahid) can be regarded as valid source in religion. On the other hand, it needs to be stressed that Sharif al-Murtada did not say anything new on the issue of giving imam extra authority and the problem of the transferring the authority of imam; on the contrary he put forward some ideas which are in contrast with his rational approach. In this study, Sharif al-Murtada's contribution on the issues like imama, occultation (ghayba), bada' (change in God's decree), raj'a, sahw al-Nabi, al-khabar al-wahid (prophetic saying transmitted only by one transmitter) and reason are analysed. The study is consists of Introduction and three chapters. Relying on his works, Sharif al-Murtada's contribution to Usûli thought is dealt with. Keywords: Sharif al-Murtada, Shaykh al-Müfîd, Ahbâriyya, Usûliyya, The Imâma.