The concept of Bara’at (disassociation), as one of the constitutive pillars of Shii identity, has always played a fundamental role in defining the doctrinal and practical boundaries of the Imami school. In this context, the era of Shaykh al-Mufid is considered a pivotal period due to the religious confrontations within the Baghdad school and the necessity for a rational explanation of beliefs. Although the scholarly persona of Shaykh al-Mufid and the general concept of Bara’at in Imami teachings have been addressed by researchers in recent years, no independent study specifically dedicated to explaining the position of Bara’at in Mufid’s diverse works was found. This research, aimed at a systematic explanation of the thought of Bara’at in Mufid’s various writings, seeks to answer how he theorized this doctrine within the turbulent and Taqiyya-laden atmosphere of Baghdad. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical with a historical approach, organized through induction across his jurisprudential, theological, traditional (hadith), and polemical texts.



The findings indicate that Shaykh al-Mufid accepted Bara’at not as a secondary matter, but as an established and presupposed principle within the Imami theological system; so much so that despite his serious criticisms of Shaykh al-Saduq on other issues, he is fully aligned with him regarding the necessity of Bara’at. An analysis of the keywords used in Mufid’s works reveals that he identifies opponents of the Imams as "disbelievers" (Kafir), "enemies of God," "innovators" (Mubtadi’), and "hypocrites," excluding them from the realm of true faith and monotheism.



The results show that Bara’at in Mufid’s thought has objective manifestations in jurisprudence (such as the prohibition of marriage with Nasibis and the exclusion of non-Shias from inheritance) and in theology (as a condition for crossing the Sirat and the acceptance of deeds). Furthermore, it was determined that while observing the principle of Taqiyya, he did not deviate from a reasoned and explicit expression of Bara’at. By revisiting the debates of earlier theologians and disseminating specific traditions, he undertook the reproduction of this concept within the Baghdad school environment. Ultimately, for Mufid, Bara’at is recognized as a strategic tool for safeguarding religious boundaries and preserving the authenticity of the Imamate system against rival currents.