The Book of the Correction of the Negligence Found in the Books of the Head of the Academy, al-Fayyūmī: Introduction

The Book of the Correction of the Negligence Found in the Books of the Head of the Academy, al-Fayyūmī (Kitāb istidrāk al-sahw al-mawjūd fī kutub ra’s al-mathība al-Fayyūmī), a book criticizing Se‘adya Ga’on—who was often referred to as the Fayyūmī, as he was born in the Fayyūm region of Egypt—covers a number of philosophical, exegetical, and legal topics. Its intent remains unclear; some scholars have seen it as an attempt to undercut Se‘adya’s authority, while others believe that Mubashshir simply sought to avoid the naïve acceptance of authority known in Arabic as taqlīd. Recent scholarship has highlighted that Mubashshir was one of many Rabbanites in Baghdad who staunchly opposed Se‘adya’s leadership, siding with traditional Iraqi elites who clashed with the Egyptian-born gaon. This passage, from the introduction, proclaims that the author will show no loyalty to Se‘adya and instead will verify all religious matters for himself.