VÂSIL B. ATA'S SENT TO ISLAMIC CITY IN CONTEXT OF EFFORTS TO SPREAD MU‘TEZILA

Abstract

One of the scientific personalities whose great contribution to the formation of religious thought
cannot be denied is Vâsil b. Atâ. Vâsil b. Atâ, gained importance with the establishment of the
Mu'tazila Sect and his original interpretations of religious principles. He was especially famous for
using reason as a proof for the first time in justifying religious principles. Vâsil b. Atâ, who grew up
under the hand of the ali-bayt in Medina, later became a student of Hasan al-Basri, one of the most
competent scientific figures of the period, in Basra. However, he left Hasan al-Basrî by showing a
different approach to the issue of “murtekib-i kebîre”, leaving his teacher's lecture council and
establishing an independent science ring. Vâsil b. Atâ, who gained his scientific independence at an
early age, brought original interpretations to basic religious issues, especially the prominent conflict
issues of his time, and defended his religious ideas against his opponents in a strict manner. He also
took the lead in opposing the criticisms directed at the pure Islamic creed from different religions
during his lifetime. Vâsil b. Atâ, who managed to attract attention in the eyes of Muslims with these
efforts, managed to gather a significant fan base around him by trying to spread his religious
understanding. As a matter of fact, he was not content with his close circle and tried to carry his
Mutazili thoughts to distant Islamic geographies through the students he trained and sent them to
different Islamic countries.
This study is, as a reflection of Vasil b. Ata's efforts to spread Mutazili ideas, it is the subject of
sending his students, whom he trained meticulously, to different Islamic countries with an invitation
mission. In this context, it has been revealed which students of Vasil b. Atâ sent where and how the
peoples of the region approached Mutazili ideas. In addition, the way and method that Vâsil b. Atâ
recommended for his students to follow in gaining the peoples of the region is also included.