Ādāb al-Baḥth wa al-Munāẓara is an argumentation theory and debate practice that emerged at the end of the 13th century. Its literary translation would be "manners of inquiry and argumentation". The theory, as well its practice, has become a staple for the madrasa curriculum over centuries. Next to logic and philology, Munāẓara has remained among the instrumental disciplines one must master in their journey to knowledge and virtue.
The overall goal in Munāẓara was the manifestation of truth (iẓhār al-ḥaqq). To that end, enquirers come up with claims and reasons that justify those claims. Simultaneously, argumentation refers to an inquiry with two parties, namely the claimant and the respondent. The claimant must argue for her claim while the respondent tests if the claim or arguments for it are acceptable. The truth-seeking character is inherently connected to the ādāb (of each speaker in the two-party debate) component of ādāb al-baḥth wa al-munāẓara. In Munāẓara, ādāb refers not only to the observation of logical and dialectical norms; but also also to the praiseworthy norms of conduct and the ethical interactive behavior, as emanating from a virtuous arguer.
Munāẓara offers a comprehensive research program encompassing the rules and norms relating to argument, arguing, and the arguer. The arguer's duty is not merely confined to observing the logical and dialectical norms; it is expanded to the argumentative conduct of one’s own as well as one’s interlocutor. Being a proper arguer requires that one should avoid quarreling with the other. There might be times when one prefers remaining silent in hopes that the interlocutor understands her mistakes by herself. There might also be times when one has to be courageous enough to voice criticisms and unpopular opinions.