MENGINTERPRETASI ULANG AL-FIRQAH AL-KALᾹMIYYAH DAN PERANNYA DALAM SEJARAH PERADABAN ISLAM

Abstract

This paper offers a different perspective of analysis on the study of Islamic theological groups (al-firqah al-kalāmiyyah) in the classical era. This study is intended to give a better understanding of the context underlying the emergence of each group and their contribution in the Islamic history. Therefore, these theological groups can be studied more fairly and placed as part of the process of forming Islamic civilization. In that account, the historical method is employed in this research along with the social approach, helping the analysis, particularly related to the concept of group interactions. These are several findings obtained from the study: (1) that the emergence of Islamic theological groups always refers to one or both of: political matters and the development of Islamic thought motivated by various backgrounds; (2) that the forms of interaction between theological groups are never single; (3) that each theological group has its own role in the history of Islamic civilization.