Mu'tazila

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MU'TAZILA

A school of Muslim thought that flourished in the ninth century at the court of the Abbasid Caliph Al-Mamun. Applying rationalist methods of discourse derived from Greek philosophy to questions of Muslim doctrine and Quranic interpretation. The Mu'tazila argued for the idea of the absolute Unity of God, the justice of God, the temporality of creation, free will, and createdness of Quran. Al-Mamun supported those views and sought to impose them on other scholars. His policy was resisted and failed in its purpose, being reversed by his successor. The Mu'tazila produced some outstanding scholars, whose intellectual influence continued long after the movement's demise.

Reference: Dictionary of Islam - Azim Nanji - Penguin Reference Library