Qadariyyah

The Qadariyyah were an early Islamic theological sect that emerged in the late 7th century, emphasizing absolute human free will (qadar) and arguing that humans create their own actions independently of divine decree. They arose partly as a reaction to the Umayyad dynasty's use of predestination to justify their rule and actions, and partly in response to extremist determinism (Jabriyyah). The Qadariyyah argued that divine justice requires human free will,if Allah predestines evil and then punishes humans for it, this contradicts His justice. They emphasized verses indicating human choice and responsibility. The movement's leading figure, Ma'bad al-Juhani, was executed in 699 CE for his views. Another prominent Qadari, Ghaylan al-Dimashqi, was also executed. The Qadariyyah were condemned by early Sunni scholars for denying Allah's comprehensive knowledge and power. The Prophet's warning applied to them: "The Qadariyyah are the Magians of this ummah" (Abu Dawud),comparing them to Zoroastrians who believed in two creators. While the extreme Qadari position was rejected, their emphasis on human responsibility influenced later theological debates. The mainstream Sunni position, articulated by the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools, balances divine decree with human acquisition (kasb),Allah creates actions, humans acquire responsibility through choice. The Qadariyyah's challenge forced deeper reflection on the relationship between divine sovereignty and human accountability, contributing to the development of Islamic theology (kalam). Their legacy includes the continuing debate about free will and predestination in Islamic thought. The Qadariyyah argued for absolute free will, while the Jabriyyah argued for determinism. The mainstream position is the middle path: humans have choice, but their actions occur by Allah's will and knowledge. For believers, the Qadariyyah are a reminder that extremes are to be avoided. They affirm both divine decree and human responsibility, as taught by the Quran and Sunnah, and they trust in Allah's wisdom and justice.