- Traditionalist

- Mutazilite
- Qadarites
- Murjites
- Shites
- Khawarij

Critically discuss the relationship between the political and theological ideas in the formative period
of islam

One of the most important theological themes in early Islamic thought are the topics of
postponement (irja) and predestination (qadar). The theoretical discourse that developed around
these issues had its origin in the early political disputes. Commented [KJ1]: https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/5816/1/Co
mpassTheology.pdf p.432
A political nexus is also identified in the theoretical debates surrounding the doctrine of
predestination. At stake was the religious legitimacy of Umayyad rule, which was established by
Mu(-wiya in 41/661 CE in the aftermath of the events at Miffin. However, issues such as free will,
responsibility and the theodicy were later woven into the texture of arguments on the subject.6
Individuals who defended the ideas of free will and responsibility were referred to as Qadarites or
ahl al-qadar; many of them were political opponents of the Umayyads. Commented [KJ2]:

The early Caliphs saw themselves as as Gods caliphs rather than successors of the Prophet
Muhammad and hence claimed absolute religio-political authority. Commented [KJ3]: Politics, Law, and Community in
Islamic Thought: The Taymiyyan Momen, p42

Ovamir Anjum