Jahmiyyah Sect (Part 16)

Author: Abu Ayesha

Jahmiyyah Sect (Part 16)

Introduction

The deviants and those who have lost the path of guidance are always trying to gain followers for themselves. They go to great lengths to gain support and spread their ideology. The greater their deviation, the more followers they gather for themselves from among the people. The Jahmiyyah group is one of those groups whose deviation has led to the emergence of several other groups and sects. In the present study, we will discuss two sects whose origin was the Jahmiyyah sect.

The next issue that the Jahmiyyah sect believes in is the issue of Jabr (compulsion) and Irja (deferral). The Jahmiyyah sect is considered to be the followers of Jahm bin Safwan, who believe in compulsion in actions and deferral in faith. They believe that faith is only with the heart, without limbs and organs.

Jabriya

First, we will define Jabr and then discuss its issues and rulings according to the Jahmiyyah sect and the Ahl-sunnat and Jama’at.

The word “Jabriya” comes from “Jabr,” which means the compulsion and coercion of a person to perform an act without the will and choice of the doer. Islamic scholars agree that the term “Jabriya” dates back to the late Umayyad era, when it was first used for Jahm ibn Safwan, who believed in absolute Jabr. This later became the title of Jahm ibn Safwan’s followers.

Jabriya refers to a group that considers the servant to be under compulsion and does not truly attribute any action or achievement to him. They view him as like a feather in the air, with the relation of action to the servant akin to its relation to an inanimate object.

The origin and purpose of the Jabriya sect is the same as the Jahmiyyah sect. This group believes that Allah Almighty forces the servant to do everything, whether good or evil, and the servant, in this case, is like a feather in the wind, moving here and there.

Irja

The second belief of the Jahmiyyah sect is Irja. At the beginning, we should know what Irja means and why those who adopted this belief from the Jahmiyyah and later adopted this school of thought are called Murji’ah.

Irja in Lexical Terms

Irja in lexical terms has two meanings:

1. To hope: Raja means to hope, the opposite of despair.

2. To postpone a matter: Irja means to postpone something. This word also means to delay in religious texts. Allah the Almighty says in His blessed words: «أرجه وأخاه»; “Delay him and his brother.” This means delay. In another place, He says «وآخرون مرجون لأمر الله»; “And there are others who are entrusted to the command and will of Allah.” So, the meaning of Irja in both verses mean delay.

In the hadith of Hazrat Ka’ab bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him), it is stated that he said: “And the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) delayed our matter, that is: the last.”

Irja in Terminology

Murji’ah is the name of one of the oldest Islamic sects. According to scholars, their origin is also the Jahmiyyah sect, and Irja is one of their beliefs, which the Murji’ah group later adopted. In religious terminology, it is the removal of action from the truth of faith. Irja was used in two meanings at the end of the first century:

1. Someone who delayed the order of Hazrat Ali and Hazrat Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them).

2. Someone who considers faith to be outside the truth of faith and its name.

Imam Ibn Ainiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) also says: “Irja are of two types, first: a people who delayed the order of Hazrat Ali and Uthman (may Allah be pleased with them), so this group had gone and left. Second: the Murji’ah of the present age who believe that faith is without action.”

Jahmiyyah’s View on Jabr and Irja

This sect believes in deferral in faith and delay in action. This sect of the Murji’ah denies human free will and believes in predestination. This group is known as the Murji’ah of the Jahmiyyah because they follow Jahm ibn Safwan. According to the belief of this sect, man is spontaneous and non-free, and all his actions are due to predestination; therefore, man’s reward and punishment are also due to predestination, and he himself has no role in it.

After stating these matters, it is better to return to the essence of the issue, which is Irja and Jahmiyyah’s predestination. As a result, we find that the origin of these two groups, which later became separate groups and sects, is also Jahmiyyah because they inherited these beliefs from the Jahmiyyah sect.

Beliefs of Jahmiyyah

Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, says in explaining the beliefs of the Jahmiyyah: Jahm ibn Safwan is famous for four very ugly beliefs:

1. The belief in the negation of attributes, from which the Mu’tazila inherited this belief.

2. The belief in predestination; that truly all actions belong to Allah the Almighty, and the actions attributed to the servants are all permissible.

3. The belief in Irja; the belief that faith is only the knowledge of Allah with the heart, and disbelief is also ignorance of Allah with the heart.

4. The belief in the destruction and annihilation of Paradise and Hell.

Reasoning of the Jahmiyyah Sect

The reason for the Jahmiyyah sect to prove their view is this Quranic verse: «وما رمیت إذ رمیت ولکن الله رمی» “And when you threw [the dust at them], you did not throw, but Allah the Almighty threw.” They say that this verse indicates that the throwing was actually done by Allah the Almighty and not by the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Among the other reasons that the Jahmiyyah give to prove their belief in predestination are these verses of the Quran: «الله خالق کل شیء» “Allah the Almighty is the Creator of all things.” The servant and his action are also part of things.

Continues…