The Very First Sayings about Selected Teachings. Part Three: On Sophisticated Matters

Introduced, translated and commented by Faris O. Nofal

Abstract

The article provides an annotated Russian translation of the final, natural-philosophical part of “The Very First Sayings about Selected Teachings” (’Awā’il al-Maqālāt fī al-Maḏāhib al-Muẖtārāt) by al-Šayẖ al-Mufīd (d. 413/1022). This treatise represents one of the main doxographic sources of early medieval Arab-Muslim thought, along with “Shiite Sects” (Firaq al-Šīʿah) by al-Nawbaẖtī. Besides the commented translation of detailed exposition of Mutazilite, Kharijite, Murjiite and Imamite philosophical and theological teachings, the interpreter gives a brief study of al-Mufīd’s biography and legacy. The given article presupposes the full Russian version of ’Awā’il al-Maqālāt translated by author in 2021.