One of the deviants, crooked, and incorrect beliefs is that of the Jahmiyyah sect. The leader of this sect is Jahm bin Safwan. This sect adopted a path that is different from the correct path of the Salaf Salih, companions, and followers in their beliefs, opting to resolve many important issues through their intellect and understanding. Many scholars have written books against this group and have countered their false beliefs with rational arguments. In this research, we will have a brief discussion on the origin of the Jahmiyyah sect, the biographies of its founders, their beliefs and convictions, and we will also state the religion of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah along with supporting reasons.
Keywords: Jahm bin Safwan, Beliefs, Ahl al-Sunnah, Tahtil, Tashbih, Ja’ad bin Durham.
Introduction
After the worldview of Islam began to shine from Makkah, and the Prophet of Islam was sent to save this nation from deviation, crookedness, and misguided thinking, Allah Almighty provided him with many self-sacrificing helpers who were ready and willing to do whatever he ordered and obeyed him without hesitation. The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, fulfilled his responsibility in the best manner, explaining necessary issues to the Companions. The honorable Companions and valuable followers also learned these lessons from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, in the best way, followed them, and conveyed them to the world as much as possible. However, over time, during the era of the Prophet’s Companions, great seditions arose within the Ummah, in which the Companions of the Prophet had no role, as they had learned the correct beliefs from their teacher and mentor.
With the passing of the first group of noble companions who grew up in the light of revelation and reached perfection under the guidance, advice, and instructions of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, the terrible storms of carnal desires and satanic temptations could not extinguish their light or deter them from following the path of truth. The light of Islam continued to illuminate the homes of many people day by day. They advised the students of the Muhammadian school who came after them to stay in the light of this divine illumination and not to leave this shining path; for hidden in the corners of this road are temptations like dark nights, each of which is likely to ensnare an individual.
With the departure of these butterflies attracted to the Muhammadi candle, the fires of perversion were gradually ignited, seditions arose from all sides, and various schools of thought and perversions emerged. The Khawarij, Rawafez, Qadria, Murjiah, and other groups distanced themselves from this radiant light, taking different paths and traveling through them. During this period, one of the most dangerous sects, named Jahmiyyah, emerged. Ja’ad bin Durham and, subsequently, his prominent student Jahm bin Safwan opposed revelation with their own opinions and ideas, weighing many issues according to their intellect.
The Jahmiyyah sect is among the factions that many scholars have written against, introducing it as a misguided and astray group far from the truth. This group has various sayings, opinions, and theories that we aim to address in this research, presenting answers as far as possible according to the views of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamaah.
This topic is structured in a research-oriented format using firsthand and reliable sources, and the author endeavors to explain ambiguous and complex issues using simple and general language or appropriate analyses with brief descriptions and explanations. Before delving into the main topic, it is essential to discuss briefly the origins of this group, its founders, and related issues.