Inquisition in Early Islam: The Competition for Political and Religious Authority in the Abbasid Empire (Library of Middle East History)

In 833 CE, the Abbasid Caliph al-Maʿmūn began a period of inquisition (mihna), one which continued until his successor al-Mutawakkil decreed its end, fifteen years later. During this period, the Caliphs in power strove to promote ‘correct belief’ in the ‘createdness’ of the Qurʾān, thus ordering the interrogation of religious scholars on the subject and disqualifying, beating or even executing those who answered incorrectly. Here, John P. Turner examines and analyses this major episode, viewing it as the pivotal point for the era in question and ultimately for the state of relations between the temporal authorities and religious law. Inquisition in Early Islam focuses on the shifting control over matters of belief and orthodoxy, from the Caliph to the religious scholars, and explores the relationships between heresy, power and the articulation and definition of law and doctrine. Turner does so by exploring the mihna within its context, asking questions such as, why was it so pivotal? Why was it begun? Why did it end? When did the meaning of the Caliph’s position in society shift? How did the Caliph lose his ability to assert himself in defining the boundaries and beliefs of religion? And why and when do the religious/legal scholars gain independence and control over the elaboration and interpretation of the law? By examining the definition of ‘heresy’ as conceived of by the Caliphs, Turner presents a vivid account of the heresy trials during this period, as well as an insightful analysis of the nature of rule and religion. Through investigating heretics and heresy in this period, Turner highlights the Caliph’s social role, exploring the relationships between orthodoxy, heresy, power and authority in a context where there was no single arbiter of dogma. This book is therefore of particular interest to researchers and scholars of Islamic history as well as of comparative religion and medieval history. In 833 Ce, The Abbasid Caliph Al-ma'mun Began A Period Of Inquisition (mihna), One Which Continued Until His Successor Al-mutawakkil Decreed Its End, Fifteen Years Later. During This Period, The Caliphs In Power Strove To Promote 'correct Belief' In The 'createdness' Of The Qur'an, Thus Ordering The Interrogation Of Religious Scholars, And Disqualifying, Punishing Or Even Executing Those Who Answered Incorrectly. Here, John P. Turner Examines This Major Episode, Viewing It As A Pivotal Point In The Struggle Between The Temporal Authorities And Religious Law In The Middle East. By Examining The Definition Of 'heresy', Turner Presents A Vivid Account Of The Heresy Trials In This Period, As Well As Incisive Analysis Concerning The Relationship Between Secular Power And Religious Authority. This Book Is Of Particular Interest To Researchers And Scholars Of Islamic History, Comparative Religion And The Medieval World. Acknowledgments -- List Of Abbreviations -- Note On Names And Dates -- Glossary -- 1. Introduction And Background -- What Is The Mihna? -- The Testers -- The Tested -- Context And Background -- Traditional Outline Of Events In The Mihna -- Previous Interpretations Of Its Meanings And Motivations -- The Mihna In A New Framework -- 2. The Polemics Of Naming And The Rhetoric Of Heresy -- Introduction -- Theoretical Basis For The Discussion -- Social Roles And The Creation Of Normativity -- Labeling Heresy And Organizing Doxography -- Conclusions -- 3. Doxographers As Polemicists And Caliphs As Rhetoricians -- Ash'arite Doxography -- The Letters Of Al-ma'mun -- 4. Heresy Trials And Continuities: The Umayyads -- Introduction -- The Trial Of Al-harith B. Sa'id Al-kadhdhab (79/698 Or 80/699) -- The Trial Of Ghaylan Al-dimashqi -- 5. Heresy Trials And Continuities: The 'abbasids -- The Trial Of Ahmad B. Hanbal (218/833-220/835) -- The Trial Of Ahmad B. Nasr Al-khuza'i (231/846) -- Conclusion -- 6. The Mihna And Its Context -- The Question Of The Mihna -- The Context Of The Mihna -- Defining The Importance Of The Mihna -- Conclusions -- Notes -- Bibliography -- Index. John P. Turner. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 207-218) And Index. "In 833 CE, the Abbasid Caliph al-Ma'mun began a period of inquisition (mihna), one which continued until his successor al-Mutawakkil decreed its end, fifteen years later. During this period, the Caliphs in power strove to promote 'correct belief' in the 'createdness' of the Qur'an, thus ordering the interrogation of religious scholars on the subject and disqualifying, beating or even executing those who answered incorrectly. Here, John P. Turner examines and analyses this major episode, viewing it as the pivotal point for the era in question and ultimately for the state of relations between the temporal authorities and religious law. Inquisition in Early Islam focuses on the shifting control over matters of belief and orthodoxy, from the Caliph to the religious scholars, and explores the relationships between heresy, power and the articulation and definition of law and doctrine. Turner does so by exploring the mihna within its context, asking questions such as, why was it so pivotal? Why was it begun? Why did it end? When did the meaning of the Caliph's position in society shift? How did the Caliph lose his ability to assert himself in defining the boundaries and beliefs of religion? And why and when do the religious/legal scholars gain independence and control over the elaboration and interpretation of the law? By examining the definition of 'heresy' as conceived of by the Caliphs, Turner presents a vivid account of the heresy trials during this period, as well as an insightful analysis of the nature of rule and religion. Through investigating heretics and heresy in this period, Turner highlights the Caliph's social role, exploring the relationships between orthodoxy, heresy, power and authority in a context where there was no single arbiter of dogma. This book is therefore of particular interest to researchers and scholars of Islamic history as well as of comparative religion and medieval history."--Bloomsbury publishing Chapter 1: Introduction and Background -- Chapter 2: The Polemics of Naming and the Rhetoric of Heresy -- Chapter 3: Doxographers as Polemicists and Caliphs as Rhetoricians -- Chapter 4: Heresy Trials and Continuities: the Umayyads -- Chapter 5: Heresy Trials and Continuities: the Abbasids -- Chapter 6: The Mihna and its Context