The Maturidite Rationality and its Contribution in Solving the Con-temporary Problems

In the history of Islamic Thought, different traditions of interpretation have emerged in understanding, explaining and practicizing Islam. Among these traditions is the Rationalist-Civilized (Hadarî) mentality attaching importance to the reason and having a way of thinking that enables disparities to live together, and, in this sense, the Imam al-Mâturîdî is one of the most important representatives of this mentality. He developed an original epistemology in producing religious knowledge and put the reason at the center of this theory . Accordingly, he discussed many problems, developing original interpretations. As such, Religion-Shariat (Diyânet-Sharî'at) distinction is the most remarkable one among them. In al-Mâturîdî's opinion, religion is associated with the reason, and it covers belief and faith. However, shariat is rather related to revelation and refers to rituals and other religious judgements. This viewpoint led al-Mâturîdî to authoritize human reason to dispose over shariat and to the idea of possibility of abolition through ijtihâd in legal judgements. The fact that al-Mâturîdî distinguished religion from shariat and gave reason the right of disposition in the shariat made possible to think, today once again, about the punishment ruled for the theft in the Quran