Seorang sahabat berbaik hati meminjamkan buku luar biasa ini pekan lalu. Al Milal dianggap sebagai buku terpenting ketiga dalam memahami ushul Aqidah setelah : Aqidah At Thahawiyah (Abu Ja'far At Thahawiy) dan Aqidah Al Wasithiyyah (Ibnu Taimiyyah).
Imam Al Syahrastani memaparkan secara mengagumkan peta pertempuran pemikiran pada awal tahun 300 s.d. 400 H.
Pada awal pembahasan buku ini, penulis mengkaji teologi yunani yang mulai meng-infiltrasi kemurnian aqidah ahlussunnah wal jama'ah saat itu. Mulai dari Thales, Phytagoras, juga filsafat Plato, Poryphyry, Stoic hingga pemikiran tanasukh (reinkarnasi) dan kabiliyyah.
Beberapa konsepsi seputar ego, ruh, libido, emosi, tema nabi dan Tuhan termasuk yang dibedah oleh penulis, seolah mengingatkan saya pada katalogisasi aliran pemikiran kontemporer versi WAMY.
In his rich volume, Al-Shahrst膩n墨 did an excellent work of categorizing different ideological schools of thought prevalent in his days while simultaneously maintaining objective scholarly professionalism. If one were to project this work on our modern-day understanding of an objective scientific discourse, then it would fall short due to the present 鈥攜et extremely limited and understandable鈥� subjective comments found in the conclusions of some chapters. One must keep in mind the historical context to perceive the brilliance of this work. Perhaps Al-Shahrst膩n墨 was the first Muslim scholar in the whole Islamic world who ventured on writing such a study without the manifest aim of conducting a polemic criticism on a certain group. Commonly, most scholars who presented the ideas of other groups did as such in a manner that manifests their contradictions with Islam as much as possible. However, in this huge volume, it appears that Al-Shahrst膩n墨 had nothing in mind but to objectively present the ideas of all known schools of thought in his time based on their texts and resources, which is quite original and impressive. His comments are thus understandable, and they do not discredit his efforts. In conclusion, this was such an illuminating read, and I am quite fond of Al-Shahrst膩n墨 the scholar.
A precise and well elaborated on history of theological sects within Islam, the syakh (may God grant him peace) made approaches by considering four fundamentals (1) Attributes and Unity of God (2) Concept of Qadar and Justice as well as questions regarding decree, predestination, acquisition (kasb), good and evil (3)Promise and warning (4) On revelation, reason, apostleship and imamate.
The syakh described thoroughly how dispute occurs and their foundations in supporting their arguments. The main branches are Muktazilah, Jabriya, Sifatiya (where most Sunnites theologians are), Mushabbiha, Kharijites, Murji铆tes and Shiites. The branches were also elucidated by syakh which we could not make it up here. It was no wonder that the book was acknowledged as early pioneer work in comparative theology.
It was quite a disappointment as the e-book at my disposal only constituted up to only Islamic sections where syakh covered more on Christians, Magians and other mainstream religions at his time.