The Relationships between the Theological Schools of Maturidism and Salafism in Afghanistan and Their Political and Social Consequences

In this research, the writer studies the theological relationship between the two schools of Maturidism and Salafism explaining its political and social consequences. The discussions brought up in a comparative and analytical way in this thesis are based on the first hand sources of these two schools as well as on the researches conducted in this regard. The theological system of Maturdis is based on reason and tradition (i.e. ‘aql and naql) considering the former as an independent source in theological issues. owever, Salafis prefer the tradition over reason but they believe in the authority of reason as a tool that confirms the tradition.  The Maturidis, in principle, believe in rational good and evil (al-Husn wa l-Qubh al-‘Aqli), delegation, the existence of metaphors in the Quran and hadith and invaluableness of single reports in matters pertaining to beliefs. As for the Salafis, they believe in the authority of the predecessors’ understanding, the validity of single reports rejecting metaphors with regard to the Quran and Prophetic traditions. When it comes to rational good and evil, they do not have a unified and cohesive position. Marturidis maintain that iman (faith) is mere affirmation in the heart and some Maturidis are of the view that iman is belief of the heart and a voicing with the tongue. They have not excommunicated the People of the Qibla (those who pray in the direction of Qibal) because of opposing them. Salafis, however, believe that iman is a combination of affirmation, confession and activity. Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Qayyim have avoided excommunicating the People of Qibla but most of the Salafis have excommunicated their ideological opponents.  The theological foundations of these two schools in dividing oneness (of God) are different but they have, nevertheless, spoken of the generality of the unity of action considering man as a volitional agent. They have almost similar views on fate and destiny. The Maturidis and Salafis have discrepant and conflicting views concerning unity of worshipping (al–tawhid al-‘ibadi) and issues like pilgrimage, vows (nadhr), invocation, reporting-attributes and its various forms, the intermediate life of the of the Prophet (S), the righteous servants of Allah and others who have passed away, hearing of the dead, presentation of the deeds to them and miraculous deeds (kiramāt) by the righteous ones. The emergence of Salafi thinking has been due, mainly, to the Afghan clerics having ties with the Deobandi seminary, religious schools of Pakistan and the Russian invasion of Afghanistan, thus affecting some Maturidis and resulting in the creation of many extremist religious groups such as the Taliban, the Afghan Arabs, al-Tahrir Party and so forth.  This has led to intellectual antagonisms among the followers of various denominations as well as destruction of political and civil institutions, flight of scientific elites and more importantly the re-occupation of Afghanistan by alien forces.