Al-Jabarīyah (الجبرية)
Definition and Significance
Al-Jabarīyah (الجبرية), literally translated as “The Necessitarians”, is a theological sect within Islam that centers on the notion of predestination and the denial of free will. The followers of Al-Jabarīyah assert that human actions are the result of divine compulsion and necessity, adhering to the belief that everything occurs according to God’s eternal and unchangeable decree.
Etymology and Translation
- Arabic: الجبرية (Al-Jabarīyah)
- Turkish: Cebriyye
The term derives from the Arabic root “جبر” (jabr), which means necessity or compulsion.
Beliefs and Doctrine
Pure Jabarīyah
The Pure Jabarīyah hold an extreme view on predestination, denying any form of human agency or power. They believe:
- Humans have no operative or acquiring power.
- All actions are produced out of sheer necessity dictated by God’s decree.
- Human will or choice is nonexistent, equating humans to inanimate objects forced into action.
- Divine reward and punishment are also acts of necessity.
This notion implies that human beings have no real control over their actions, thereby rendering human judgment, whether via divine rewards or punishments, as compelled and inevitable.
Moderate Jabarīyah
The Moderate Jabarīyah offer a slightly nuanced perspective:
- They acknowledge some form of power in humans but deny its efficacy in influencing actions.
- This power is deemed as having no substantial effect on the actions that humans perform.
- They support the idea of “acquisition” (kasb, كسب), implying that humans “acquire” actions without truly influencing them.
The moderate faction often overlaps with Ash’arites, who promote a middle-path belief in conjunction between God’s predestination and human acquisition.
Historical Context and Development
The Jahmīyah, followers of Jahm ibn Sufwān, are historically linked with extreme Jabarīyah beliefs. They not only advocated for predestination but also held eschatological beliefs such as:
- The eventual annihilation of paradise and hell upon completion of their divine purposes.
Books for Further Studies
- “The Divine Will and Human Choice” by Wolfson H.A. - A comprehensive analysis of predestination within Islamic theology.
- “Islamic Philosophy and Theology” by W. Montgomery Watt - A foundational text on various Islamic theological schools including Jabarīyah.
- “The Creed of the Jabarites” by Richard C. Martin - Detailed study on the sect’s doctrinal beliefs.
Takeaways and Conclusion
The Al-Jabarīyah signifies an essential yet controversial stance in Islamic theology by emphasizing divine predestination over human free will. Its division into pure and moderate factions highlights an ongoing debate within Islam regarding the nature of human agency and accountability. Understanding this sect offers insights into larger Islamic doctrinal discussions and reflects historical and theological diversity within Muslim thought.
This entry elucidates the doctrine, etymology, distinctions, and broader significance of the Al-Jabarīyah sect in Islamic theology, providing a foundational understanding for further exploration and study.
