Did classical Muslim scholars criticise, insult or abuse each other?

Did classical Muslim scholars criticize, insult or abuse each other? While scholarly debates and disagreements were common among classical Muslim scholars, unfortunately, some instances of harsh criticism, insults and abusive language did occur between them, even among renowned scholars. Examples of Scholars Insulting or Abusing Each Other: Ali al-Qari al-Harawi (d. 1014/1605) vs. Al-Dawwani: When discussing whether Pharaoh died as a believer, the scholar al-Dawwani aroused the ire of the 17th-century theologian Ali al-Qari al-Harawi. In his work "Farr al-'awn," Ali al-Qari composed a stinging rebuttal to al-Dawwani's claims, incorporating gibes, sarcastic asides, and downright insults. As cited by Khaled El-Rouayheb in his book "Islamic Intellectual History in the Seventeenth Century," Ali al-Qari: "Let no lapse of logic, doctrine, or grammar pass unnoticed; and incorporated gibes, sarcastic asides and downright insults, calling his long-dead victim both feeble-minded and ignorant." (p. 200) Al-Ghazali (d. 1111) vs. Ibn al-Rashiq (d. 1063): In his work "Munqidh min al-Dalal" (Deliverance from Error), the renowned scholar al-Ghazali harshly criticized the philosopher Ibn al-Rashiq. As quoted by Richard M. Frank in his book "Al-Ghazali and the Ash'arite School," al-Ghazali stated: "As for Ibn al-Rashiq, he was an ignorant soul who had acquired some skill in disputation and hair-splitting over words." (p. 14) Ibn Taymiyyah (d. 1328) vs. Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (d. 1209): The influential scholar Ibn Taymiyyah was known for his polemics against other scholars, including the renowned theologian Fakhr al-Din al-Razi. In his work "Dar' Ta'arud al-'Aql wa al-Naql" (Repelling the Contradiction between Reason and Revelation), Ibn Taymiyyah criticized al-Razi's views and referred to him as "the heretic" (al-mulhid). As cited by Jon Hoover in his book "Ibn Taymiyyah's Theodicy of Perpetual Optimism," Ibn Taymiyyah stated: "The heretic Fakhr al-Din al-Razi has gone to great lengths in his attempt to prove the impossibility of God's knowledge of particulars." (p. 107) Al-Zamakhshari (d. 1144) vs. Al-Ghazali: The famous exegete and grammarian al-Zamakhshari was known for his criticisms of other scholars, including al-Ghazali. In his work "Al-Kashshaf," al-Zamakhshari referred to al-Ghazali as "the bald-headed one" (al-aqra') and accused him of being a Sufi who had gone astray. As quoted by Shuruq Naguib in her book "Bint al-Shati''s Critique of Islamic Tradition," al-Zamakhshari stated: "The bald-headed one (al-aqra') has gone astray in his doctrine of unity (tawhid) and has become a Sufi." (p. 52) Ibn Hazm (d. 1064) vs. Al-Baqillani (d. 1013): The Andalusian scholar Ibn Hazm was known for his harsh criticisms of other scholars, including the Ash'arite theologian al-Baqillani. In his work "Al-Fisal fi al-Milal wa al-Ahwa' wa al-Nihal" (The Book of Religions, Heresies and Sects), Ibn Hazm referred to al-Baqillani as "the ignorant fool" (al-jahil al-ahmaq). As cited by Frank Griffel in his book "Al-Ghazali's Philosophical Theology," Ibn Hazm stated: "The ignorant fool (al-jahil al-ahmaq) al-Baqillani believed that God is a body in the form of a human being." (p. 61) Explanations and Context While these examples illustrate instances of harsh criticism, insults, and abusive language between classical Muslim scholars, it is important to note that such occurrences were not the norm and scholars generally engaged in respectful debates and disagreements. Moreover, the historical and cultural context of these instances should be considered. In some cases, scholars may have resorted to strong language or insults as a rhetorical device or to emphasize their disagreement with particular views or interpretations, rather than as a personal attack on the individual scholar. Additionally, it is worth noting that the use of strong language and insults was not unique to Muslim scholars; it was a common practice in intellectual and scholarly circles across various cultures and traditions during that period.