Abu Mansour Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Hanafi al-Moturidi (870-944) was a well known scholar one of the founders of the Science of Word in Theology and the founder of Moturidism, the biggest Sunnite doctrine.

The only fact that about 70 percent of Muslim believers of the Hanafi doctrine are the followers of al-Moturidi's school, shows the great significance of the Science of Word in Theology, an original philosophic world outlook in the Islamic religion. The rest believers are the followers of another doctrine, founded by a well known Arabic theologian al-Ash'ari (873/874-935 or 941).

Yet in the 14th century, theologians of the Sunnite doctrine voted for the existence of two theological directions in the Science of Word, established firmly for understanding the Islamic rules and its provisions by conscious, not simply by blind imitation of religious men. Therefore, al-Moturidi's school was one of the two constituent parts of Theology. Along with al-Ash'ari, al-Moturidi was also considered to be the leading scientist and scholar of his time, when the Science of Word has achieved its pinnacle.

The main research work of al-Moturidi, "Kitab at-Tavheed" ('The book about monotheism"), was the first book in Islamic theology that explored the theory of knowledge.

Giving a definition to the Science of Word in the preface of his book "Kitab at-Tavheed", the author asserts about three sources of knowledge: sensual perception, moral conscience and traditional information that everyone may receive from reliable sources. The importance of al-Moturidi's conception lies in the fact that deviating from pure Islamic religion, he glorifies conscience and exalts the logically approved knowledge.

Thanks to the ideas of al-Moturidi, the Science of Word has been transformed from traditional Islamic ideology to conscientious interpretation of its main principles. These ideas meet the main teachings of the Islamic religion. At the same time, because of the rational elements developed there, these ideas have repulsed the conservative interpretation of religion.

There is no doubt that al-Moturidi's works will serve a powerful weapon against those who try to cultivate religious fanaticism in the minds of people and combine evil forces for sowing of seeds of discord.

Despite his doctrine, widely publicized in the Islamic world, al-Moturidi's name and his works remained unknown for long time in his Motherland.

Only few people in our country were aware of the fact that this great theologian was born and spent his childhood in Moturid (the present Morit), a neighbourhood in the suburb of the town of Sarnarkand. There he learned much from local theologians of the Hanafi doctrine, wrote his works and taught the Islamic Law and the Science of Word in Theology. The fact, that al-Moturidi was born and achieved great progress in his activity on the ancient Uzbek soil, adduced in the works of scientists of the Middle Ages and the present explorers, is of special significance for us. In constant to some theologians who created their works under the influence of foreign theological schools, al-Moturidi could successfully develop the Samarkand Hanafi school in Theology.

Al-Moturidi's name and his doctrine is well-known in many Islamic countries. His scientific legacy serves as a research object for explorers in almost all of the Islamic countries. Unfortunately, very few facts about the great scholar, his life and creative work are known today. The reason for that is: he worked far from the centre of the Arab Caliphate and wrote his books without any patronage of ruling circles. Therefore his name is rarely found in the sources of the Middle Ages.

Later, as His works became more popular, some non-objective thoughts began to appear among those who asserted that al-Moturidi was "the second al-Ash'ari of the East" or "the talented commentator of Abu Hanifa from Kufa". This type of approach to the scholar's activity in the Arabic world for many years caused the denial of the scholar's independent works and the lowering of importance of the news that he introduced to the Science of Word.

It is historical that the scientists of the Hanafi doctrine in Samarkand tried to preserve the legacy of Abu Hanifa, the founder of the Hanafi doctrine in the Islamic religion. But al-Moturidi, in contrast to his contemporaries and predecessors, contributed much to the development of the Hanafi doctrine, in terms of the accommodation of this Doctrine to the mentality of non-Arabic peoples.

Beginning from the 70s of the 20th century, many scientists in the West began to show their interests towards al-Moturidi's legacy. So the first and important step taken by western scientists was the publication of fragments from the scholar's basic works, "Kitab at-Tavheed" and 'Tavilot ahl as-Sunnah" ("Comments on Sunnah traditions"), and the partial investigation of his manuscripts.

In 1997, the book "Al-Moturidi and Samarkand Sunnite Theology" of Ulrich Rudolf, the professor from Gottingen University, was published in German. It is the first and the biggest work about al-Moturidi. Taking into account the great importance of the book, the al-Bukhari International Fund is going to publish its Uzbek translation. The scientists of the West assert the necessity of investigations in the sphere because it will give an opportunity for better understanding the Science of Word or the legacy of al-Moturidi. The investigations of the kind will serve not only for the extension of our knowledge in religion, but also for the demonstration of great legacy which our people have contributed to the world civilization.

The results of the latest investigations show that al-Moturidi has created his original ideological 'conception. He did not only confine himself to the formation of new religious ideas, consisted of mere words, but also created the system for consciously understanding the rules, orders or procedures of religion. Further, this conception, corresponded to the Muslim notions, was widely accepted by many peoples.

In contrast to fatalistic ideas, based on the age-long predestination, it was characteristic for existing religion, al-Moturidi developed the conception which gives a human an opportunity to free choice. Today the importance of al-Moturidi's ideas can be dearly observed in our society that takes its steps towards the free democratic development. The scholar’s approach to the ideas about the construction of universe, the relationship between God and Man as well as his standpoint on the motives, determining the behavior of people, did not lose its significance until today. In the disputes al-Moturidi tried to show that it was peculiar to a Man to err. He noted that many people follow some educated or religious leaders not realizing or understanding the nature of their points of view and activities. Therefore, many false conceptions are supported by illiterate and irresponsible people who blindly imitate and follow the so called "leaders", which adroitly use the public opinion alleging that they are the only people who know the truth.

From the beginning to the end, the book "Kitab at-Tavheed" is impregnated with belief that Man have to bear responsibility for his activity though he has been predestined by Allah. According to al-Moturidi Man is born for tests. At the same time he is granted with great opportunities to successfully overcome all of the tests and to find the right way. Hence, man is responsible for each action in his life and activity, for mutual consent in the society, and, basing on his intellect, life skills and traditions he may find the way out from any situation.

The idea, that religious rules have to be understood across the light of intellect, takes one of the cordial places in al-Moturidi's conception. In his works, one can observe the harmony between the reflection of the highest spiritual unity of mankind and the power of spirit and intellect of a human being. The recollection of al-Moturidi's memory and the careful study of his legacy creates a new constituent part in the state policy of Uzbekistan, aimed at the restoration of cultural and religious heritage of the Uzbek people.