Qadariyya

Sat, 03 Oct 2026 00:35:08 +0100

The Qadariyya were a short-lived theological movement during the Marwanid Period (684-750) of the Umayyads. According to Ibn Abi Hatim, Ibn Asakir, and Al-Mizzi, the movement followed Ma’bad b. ‘Abdullah b. ‘Ukaym al-Juhani (a muhaddith and the son of a Companion of the Prophet ﷺ ) in affirming the concept of Free Will, or Qadar, as opposed to Divine Determinism, known as Jabr.

It is likely that Qadariyya theology was inspired by the Christian debates in Syria at the time of the Umayyads, and indeed, a Christian named either Sawsar or Susan (or Susnoya?) is thought to have taught the creed to Ma’bad b. Abdullah b. ‘Ukaym al-Juhani. For example, John of Damascus wrote that ‘God is not the cause of evils’ and arguments around free will were strong among Christians. They were classed under the term Murju’ites, the principal belief of which was that judgement of sinners’ fate is deferred to God.

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Qadariyya