Istihsan al-Khawd fi 'Ilm al-Kalam

Al-Hath 'ala al-Bahth (الحث على البحث), better known as Risalat Istihsan al-Khawd fi 'Ilm al-Kalam (رسالة استحسان الخوض في علم الكلام) is a brief treatise written by the Sunni theologian Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari (d. 324/935), in which he defends the use of kalam (speculative or dialectical theology) and its rational methods, and discusses the antagonism between nazar (consideration) and taqlid (in this context means “blind imitation” or following the opinion and practice of others unquestionably, without due inquiry).

Unlike ultra-traditionalists, al-Ash'ari considered debate, inquiry or argument, and use of the tools of logic, sense and reason in religious matters, including the matter of the doctrines of the faith as permissible, citing evidences from the Qur'an and the Sunnah that supports and endorses dialectical rational thinking, logical reasoning, and critical examination and analysis in theology.

Content
In this work, al-Ash'ari reflected himself as opposed to the ultra-traditionalists, literalists or fundamentalists (probably some of those associated with the Hanbali school), and described them as being ignorant, unable to rationalize or inquire into religious matters, and inclined to blind imitation of authority.

Beginning with a widespread critique of systematic theological reflection, the text responds from several perspectives to “objections” posed by opponents of kalām, offering a concise summary of one major systematic theological method.

Al-Ash'ari defended kalam and mutakallimun (dialectic theologians), which means he gave strong recommendation on reason. To him, the basic principles, the objectives, and the method of kalam were generally present in the Qur'an and traditions. Al-Ash'ari emphasized that Qur'an and Hadith never neglect the role of reason and allow speculative thinking (nazar) and rational inference to be implemented.

Translation
The treatise was translated into English in 1953 by Richard J. McCarthy and published under the title of The Theology of al-Ashʻarī: The Arabic Texts of al-Ashʻarī's Kitāb al-Luma' and Risālat Istiḥsān al-Khawḍ fi 'Ilm al-Kalām.

Exposition
Samir al-Qadi, a student of 'Abdullah al-Harari, wrote a commentary on the treatise, entitled Idah al-Maram min Risalat al-Ash'ari al-Imam (إيضاح المرام من رسالة الأشعري الإِمام). First published in 2017 in Lebanon by Dar al-Mashari'.

Reception and influence
Al-Bayhaqi (d. 458/1066) frequently quotes al-Ash'ari in al-Asma' wa al-Sifat. He apparently narrated from al-Ash'ari's treatise Istihsan al-Khawd fi 'Ilm al-Kalam ("The Endorsement of the Study of Dialectic Theology").