On the Probability of the Creation of the Ibn Taymiyya School of Ottoman Thought via Birgiw Mehmed Efendi A Critical Approach

English (OpenAlex)

Ottoman religious thought is divided into two essential schools named after Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī and Ibn Taymiyya. The Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī School is identified with Māturīdism, whereas Ottoman scholar Birgiwī Meḥmed Efendī (929-981/1523-1573) is considered a disciple of the Ibn Taymiyya School. Birgiwī´s madhhab is often described as Salafī, Ḥanbalī, Ashʿarī, or Māturīdī. This study assesses such claims using evidence from the sources whose attribution to Birgiwī is indisputable. An analysis of Birgiwī´s works clearly shows that he is a member of the Māturīdī School. Nevertheless, the study reveals the necessity of reviewing certain classifications, denominations, and generalizations. Based on Birgiwī´s extant works, this paper makes several objections to his being considered a representative or member of the Ibn Taymiyya School and demonstrates that Birgiwī is completely aligned with Māturīdī with regard to theological issues.