Examples of the Maliki scholars of Kairouan’ efforts in refuting the deviations and heresies of Fatimid creed in the Maghreb region during the fourth century AH

Abstract

Enter Throughout this study, we will try to shed light on the efforts of Maliki scholars in Kairouan in combating the deviations and doctrinal heresies that accompanied the emergence of the Fatimid state in the Islamic Maghreb during the fourth century AH. The Fatimid caliphs and their advocates had a great role in trying to implant these deviations in the Maghreb society, in which they mixed the Ismaili beliefs and principles with myths and legends to serve their whims and political aims. Facing this threat, a group of the Maghreb's Maliki scholars, led by the Maliki jurists in Kairouan, confronted these doctrinal deviations by various means and legal methods, in order to preserve the Sunni creed. Consequently, they were chased and persecuted. Highlighting this suffering in his book of "Maealim al'iiman", Al-dabbagh states, "...May Allah rewards the sheikhdom of Kairouan, they were either killed, beaten, or imprisoned. However, they were patient and did not flee, and if they fled, all people would have disbelieved at the same time".