THE MU‘TAZILITE QĀDĪ ‘ABD AL-JABBĀR ON THE DENOTATION OF MIRACLES

This article examines the Mu‘tazilite Qādī ‘Abd al-Jabbār’s views on the denotation of miracles according to his own particular methodology. Despite his acceptance of the celebrated method of the theologians in the denotation of miracles with respect to the authenticity of prophets, i.e., resorting to divine wisdom, Qādī ‘Abd al-Jabbār instead proposed the issue within the structure of conventional denotation; thus, his so-called “convention theory” distinguishes his endeavors from that of others. His efforts suggest the rationality of miracles. Unlike other Muslim theologians, he also argues that miracles not only vindicate the authenticity of prophetic claims, but that its connotation also includes the existence of God and the authenticity of the teachings of prophets.