Qadarīyah (قدرية)
Definition
Qadarīyah (قدرية) refers to an early Islamic sect that emerged to challenge the concept of absolute predestination (qadar) in favor of the power of human free will. Believers of Qadarīyah assert that individuals have the capacity to determine their own actions, thereby rejecting the notion that all events are preordained by divine will.
Etymology
- The term Qadarīyah derives from the Arabic word “qadar” (قدر), meaning “power” or “destiny”.
- In the context of Qadarīyah, “qadar” is specifically linked to human capability and responsibility rather than divine predestination.
Historical Context
The Qadarīyah were an early theological group within Islam, often associated with the Mu’tazilah before al-Wāṣil ibn ‘Ata’ separated from Hasan al-Basri’s school to form his own distinct Mu’tazilite faction. This movement was significant in early Islamic discourse as it contested the prevailing belief in divine determinism.
Core Beliefs
- Free Will vs. Predestination: The Qadarīyah maintained that human beings possess free will and thus are accountable for their own actions.
- Moral Responsibility: By advocating for free will, they upheld that individuals are morally responsible for their deeds, both good and evil.
- Theological Implications: This belief system implies a direct challenge to the concept that Allah predetermines all actions and events, positing that human actions are not entirely controlled by divine will.
Comparison with Mu’tazilah
- Similarity: The Qadarīyah shared with the early Mu’tazilites the belief in free will and the dismissal of absolute predestination.
- Difference: Over time, the Mu’tazilites developed a more systematic theological framework and broader philosophical discourse, while the Qadarīyah remained focused on the specific issue of qadar.
Arabic and Turkish Translations
- Arabic: قدرية (qadarīyah)
- Turkish: Kaderiyye
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “Islamic Theological Themes: A Primary Source Reader” edited by John Renard
- “The Mu’tazilite Movement: Origins and Early Development (Islamic Philosophy, Theology and Science: Texts and Studies)” by Shlomo Pines
- “Islamic Philosophy and Theology” by W. Montgomery Watt
Takeaways
- The Qadarīyah sect underscores the significant early Islamic debates on free will and predestination.
- They laid an important foundation for the later development of Islamic theological thought, especially within the Mu’tazilite school.
- Their views challenged the dominant interpretations of divine predestination, which had far-reaching ethical and theological implications.
Conclusion
The Qadarīyah were a pioneering group in early Islamic theology, advocating for the principle that humans have the power of free will. Their beliefs contributed to significant theological discussions and laid the groundwork for future Islamic philosophical inquiries into the nature of human agency and divine will.
