"The Nature of Imân and Situations of Those who Committed Great" "Sins in Tabari’s Work Titled al-Tabsir fi Maâlim al-din"

Tabari (310/923), who is known for his works at the fields of commentary and history, addresses subjects related to kalam in his works titled al-Tabsır fı Maâlim al-dın and Sarıh al-Sunnah. Tabsir involves Tabari's responses to the questions of the people of Taberistan's Amul city. In this book, Tabari puts forward the ‘salafi' thought to the forefront while confronting the Mu'tazilite sect and, makes rational evaluations at some places. Tabari first identifies the ideas of the kalam schools on imân and then suggests that imân is “assent by heart, confession by language and acts with limbs.” With respect to the matter of ‘exception in imân', he does not deem it permissible (jaaeez) to absolutely name an individual believer (mumin). Regarding the subject of increase and diminishing in imân, he is of the opinion that imân increases and diminishes just as the ‘salaf.' According to Tabari, those who commit great sins are still believers because they believe in God and his Messenger and they can absolutely be called Muslims. The forgiveness of those who commit great sins are at the sole discretion of God; if he wishes he forgives, and if he wishes he may punish them in hell.