Mu'tazilah

Deviant

المعتزلة

Overview

A rationalist theological school that emerged in Basra around 750 CE under Wasil ibn Ata after he parted from the circle of al-Hasan al-Basri. Prioritized rational philosophy (kalam) over transmitted text (naql) in matters of theology. Most notably held that the Quran was created, denied seven of Allah's attributes (claiming affirming them creates partners), and held that human beings create their own actions (free will over divine predestination). The 'Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun imposed their doctrine as state creed in the Mihna (833 CE), under which Imam Ahmad was tortured.

Key Beliefs

  • The Quran is created (not the eternal speech of Allah)
  • Denial of most divine attributes to avoid perceived tashbih (likening to creation)
  • Human beings create their own actions — divine justice requires human free will
  • The rational mind can independently determine good and evil (husn wa qubh 'aqli)
  • Sinners in the 'intermediate position' — neither believer nor disbeliever

Scholarly Evaluation

Condemned by Ahl us-Sunnah. Their political power ended after Caliph al-Mutawakkil abolished the Mihna in 848 CE and restored Sunni creed as state doctrine. The Ash'ari and Maturidi schools developed in part as a rational counter-argument to Mu'tazilah using their own philosophical tools. Despite this, some Mu'tazilah scholars contributed greatly to Arabic grammar, literary criticism, and Islamic jurisprudence — their theological positions, however, are rejected.

Key Figures

  • Wasil ibn Ata (700–748 CE)
  • Abu al-Hudhayl al-Allaf (d. 840 CE)
  • Al-Zamakhshari (1074–1143 CE) — Mu'tazilah tafsir scholar

Sources

  • Maqalat al-Islamiyyin (al-Ash'ari)
  • Al-Farq bayn al-Firaq (al-Baghdadi)
  • Al-Radd ala al-Jahmiyyah (Ibn Taymiyyah)

Founder

Wasil ibn Ata

Founded

132h (750 CE)