Jahmiyyah

Deviant

الجهمية

Overview

A deviant theological sect founded by Jahm ibn Safwan (d. 745 CE), who was executed for his heterodox positions. Held that Allah has no attributes whatsoever (ta'til — complete negation of attributes), that the Quran is created, and that faith is only knowledge in the heart without affirmation or action. Jahm was influenced by Indian and Greek philosophical ideas. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal wrote extensively against the Jahmiyyah.

Key Beliefs

Complete negation of all divine attributes (ta'til)
The Quran is created — Allah's speech is created (the position that triggered the Mihna)
Faith is knowledge in the heart alone — verbal affirmation not required
Paradise and Hell are not eternal — they will eventually cease

Scholarly Evaluation

Harshly condemned by Ahl us-Sunnah. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal's primary battle during the Mihna (833 CE) was against the Mu'tazilah and Jahmiyyah doctrine that the Quran was created. Ibn Taymiyyah wrote al-Radd 'ala al-Jahmiyyah (Refutation of the Jahmiyyah). Jahm ibn Safwan was killed by Salm ibn Ahwaz al-Mazini for his deviance. The Ash'ari and Maturidi schools both developed partly in response to Jahmiyyah excess.

Key Figures

Jahm ibn Safwan (d. 745 CE)

Sources

Al-Radd ala al-Jahmiyyah wal-Zanadiqa (Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal)
Al-Radd ala al-Jahmiyyah (Ibn Taymiyyah)
Khalq Af'al al-Ibad (al-Bukhari)

Founder

Jahm ibn Safwan

Founded

127h (745 CE)