Muʿtazilah (معتزلة)
Definition and Introduction
Muʿtazilah (معتزلة) – meaning “The Separatists” – is an Islamic theological school founded by Wāṣil ibn ʿAt̤āʾ, who separated from the school of Ḥasan al-Baṣrī around 110 AH (728 CE). This school is known for its rationalistic approach to Islamic theology and has significantly influenced Islamic thought.
Etymology and Translations
- Etymology: The term Muʿtazilah is derived from the Arabic root ‘ʿzl’, which means “to separate” or “to withdraw”.
- Arabic: معتزلة (Muʿtazilah)
- Turkish: Mutezile
Core Beliefs and Tenets
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Divine Attributes: The Muʿtazilah reject the eternal attributes of God to avoid the division of His essence. They assert that God’s knowledge, power, and life are inherent in His essence and not separate eternal attributes. This doctrine defends the unity (Tawhid) of God.
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Createdness of the Qur’an: They believe the word of God (Qur’an) to be created, not eternal, and made of letters and sounds, which can be written in books.
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Predestination and Free Will: Muʿtazilah deny absolute predestination, holding that God is the author of good while humans are responsible for evil. Man is seen as a free agent, echoing the views of the Qadarīyah sect.
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Sin and Eternal Damnation: They believe that a Muslim guilty of a major sin who dies without repentance will be eternally damned, albeit with lesser punishment than that of infidels.
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Vision of God: They deny any physical vision of God in Paradise and reject anthropomorphic comparisons to God.
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Rational Justice: They hold that justice is inherent in human actions, dictated by reason. Divine ordinances evolve based on reason and historical context.
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Knowledge through Reason: For the Muʿtazilah, knowledge, including moral knowledge, is attainable through reason before any religious law is promulgated.
Sub-Sects of Muʿtazilah
According to Islamic sources like Shahrastānī and the Sharḥu ’l-Muwāqif, the Muʿtazilah are divided into numerous sects:
- Waṣilīyah
- ʿUmarīyah
- Huẕailīyah
- Naz̤āmīyah
- Aswārīyah
- Among many others.
Historical Significance
During the reigns of the Abbasid caliphs al-Maʾmūn, al-Muʿtaṣim, and al-Wāthiq (813–847 CE) in Baghdad, the Muʿtazilah were in high favor and significantly influenced Islamic intellectual life.
Suggested Books for Further Studies
- “The Theology of Unity” by Muhammad Abduh
- “The Muʿtazilite Movement (III-V) and the Arabic Interpretation of Reason” by Colleen P. Luth
- “Early Islamic Theology: The Muʿtazilites and ʿAshʿarites” by Richard M. Frank
- “Islamic Philosophy, Science, Culture, and Religion: Studies in Honor of Dimitri Gutas” edited by Felicitas Opwis
Takeaways and Conclusion
The Muʿtazilah represents a critical intellectual tradition within Islam, advocating for rationalistic theology and emphasizing God’s unity and justice. Their approach significantly diversified Islamic discourse and has influenced various Islamic schools of thought.
In conclusion, understanding the Muʿtazilah helps in appreciating the rich plurality of Islamic intellectual tradition. Despite facing opposition, their rationalist legacy continues to influence contemporary Islamic thought.
