The Murji'ah — Belief and Refutation
⚖️ The Murji'ah — The Other Extreme in Defining Faith
"Faith has seventy-odd branches. The highest is saying 'La ilaha illa Allah', and the lowest is removing an obstacle from the road."
— The Prophet ﷺ [Al-Bukhari 9, Muslim 35]
📖 Introduction
If the Khawarij excommunicated Muslims for their sins, the Murji'ah fell into the opposite extreme: they said that actions are not part of faith, and that the sinner has perfect faith like that of the angels!
This deviation, more subtle than that of the Khawarij, has had a devastating impact on the religious practice of Muslims throughout the centuries.
📜 Part 1: Definition and Origin
Etymology of the Word
| Term | Root | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Murji'ah | irja' (أَرْجَأَ) | To postpone, delay, defer |
| Source verse | ﴾They said: Postpone him (Musa) and his brother﴿ | [Ash-Shu'ara: 36] |
| Applied meaning | They "postponed" actions | Actions are not part of faith |
The Context of Emergence
📜 SCENE: The Reaction to the Khawarij — Kufa, End of 1st Century H
Scholars discuss the chaos caused by the Khawarij.
First scholar: "The Khawarij have made the blood of Muslims lawful because of their sins. This is a catastrophe!"
Second scholar: "Perhaps the solution is to say that sins don't affect faith? That way, no one can excommunicate anyone."
Third scholar (wisely): "Be careful! In fleeing one extreme, don't fall into the other. Actions are part of faith, but the sinner is not a kafir."
But some chose the easy path and founded Murji'ism.
Chronology
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| ~35-40 H | Excess of the Khawarij (takfir of sinners) |
| ~70-100 H | Opposite reaction → Birth of Murji'ism |
| ~128 H | Jahm ibn Safwan (extreme Murji'ism) |
| Following centuries | Influence on Ash'arism |
📚 Part 2: Types of Murji'ism
Classification by Severity
| Type | Definition of Faith | Severity | Representatives |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jahmiyyah | Knowledge alone (ma'rifa) | 🔴🔴🔴🔴🔴 | Jahm ibn Safwan |
| Karramiyyah | Statement of tongue alone | 🔴🔴🔴🔴 | Muhammad ibn Karram |
| Asha'irah/Maturidiyyah | Heart's belief alone | 🔴🔴🔴 | Al-Ash'ari (phase 2), al-Maturidi |
| Murji'at al-Fuqaha' | Statement + belief, actions = perfection | 🟡🟡 | Hammad, Abu Hanifa |
Extreme Murji'ism: The Jahmiyyah
📜 SCENE: Jahm's Doctrine — Transoxiana, ~128 H
Disciple: "O Jahm, what is faith?"
Jahm ibn Safwan: "Faith is the knowledge (ma'rifa) of Allah in the heart. Whoever knows Allah is a believer, even if he doesn't pronounce the shahada nor pray."
Disciple: "But Iblis knows Allah! Is he a believer?"
Jahm (embarrassed): "..."
Fatal problem: According to this definition, Iblis and Pharaoh would be believers because they knew Allah!
The Murji'ism of the Karramiyyah
| Belief | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Faith = the shahada on the tongue | A lying hypocrite is a "believer"! |
| No need for heart's belief | Contrary to consensus |
| Invented by Muhammad ibn Karram (d. 255H) | Extinct sect |
The Murji'ism of the Jurists (The Mildest)
Their position:
"Faith is the statement of the tongue and the belief of the heart. Actions are a condition of perfection, not of validity."
Among them: Hammad ibn Abi Sulayman (Abu Hanifa's teacher), and according to some, Abu Hanifa himself.
Important nuance: This type is the least severe because they:
- Affirm the obligation of actions
- Say that whoever abandons them is sinful
- Differ from Ahl as-Sunnah on: are actions part of faith or its consequence?
⚡ Part 3: Foundations of Murji'ism
1. Excluding Actions from Faith
Faith according to Murji'ah and Ahl as-Sunnah
Ahl as-Sunnah ✅
Faith: speech, action and belief
Increases and decreases
Sins harm it
Action is a pillar of faith
Murji'ah ❌
Faith: mere belief of heart
Unaffected by actions
Sinner's faith = angels' faith
Action is not part of faith
2. Faith Neither Increases Nor Decreases
| Murji'ite Belief | Ahl as-Sunnah Position |
|---|---|
| All equal in faith | Faith differs from person to person |
| Sinner's faith = Jibril's faith | Abu Bakr > other believers |
| No variation | Increases by obedience, decreases by sin |
📜 SCENE: The Absurdity of Their Position
Murji'i: "My faith is like that of Jibril!"
Sunni: "Your faith is like that of Abu Bakr as-Siddiq?"
Murji'i: "Yes! We are all believers!"
Sunni: "The Prophet ﷺ said: 'If Abu Bakr's faith were placed on one scale and the faith of the Ummah on the other, Abu Bakr's faith would outweigh it.' You claim to have Abu Bakr's faith?"
Murji'i (silent): "..."
3. Sins Do Not Harm Faith
| Their Claim | Reality |
|---|---|
| "Sin doesn't affect faith" | The Prophet ﷺ: "The fornicator does not fornicate while being a believer..." |
| "What matters is the heart" | Allah: "Say: If you love Allah, follow me" |
| "No difference between believers" | Allah: "...those whose faith increases when His verses are recited to them" |
📖 Part 4: Detailed Refutation
Proofs from the Quran
| Verse | Evidence |
|---|---|
| ﴾The believers are only those who believe in Allah and His Messenger, then doubt not, and strive﴿ | Faith includes actions (jihad) |
| ﴾Those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned, and when His verses are recited to them, it increases their faith﴿ | Faith increases |
| ﴾Say: If you love Allah, follow me﴿ | Love requires obedience |
Proofs from the Sunnah
Hadith 1 — The branches of faith:
"Faith has seventy-odd branches. The highest is 'La ilaha illa Allah', and the lowest is removing an obstacle from the road." [Al-Bukhari 9, Muslim 35]
Proof: Removing an obstacle = action = branch of faith
Hadith 2 — The fornicator's faith:
"The fornicator does not fornicate while being a believer at the moment he fornicates." [Al-Bukhari 2475, Muslim 57]
Proof: Sin decreases faith
Rational Proofs
| Argument | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Correlation between apparent and hidden | One cannot conceive sincere faith of the heart without apparent action |
| Reality testifies | The true believer must manifest his faith in his behavior |
| Faith is a motivator | True belief inevitably generates action |
🗡️ Part 5: The Creed of Ahl as-Sunnah
Definition of Faith According to Ahl as-Sunnah
The comprehensive definition:
Faith: statement of the tongue, belief of the heart, and actions of the limbs, which increases by obedience and decreases by disobedience.
Pillars of Faith
| Pillar | Components |
|---|---|
| 1️⃣ Statement of the Tongue | The two testimonies, Dhikr and du'a |
| 2️⃣ Actions of the Heart | Belief (firm conviction), Fear of Allah, Hope in Him, Love for Him, Trust in Him |
| 3️⃣ Actions of the Limbs | Prayer, Zakat, Fasting, Other acts of worship |
| 📊 Faith Increases and Decreases | Increases by acts of obedience, Decreases by sins |
Comparison Table
| Issue | Khawarij | Murji'ah | Ahl as-Sunnah |
|---|---|---|---|
| Actions part of faith? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Does sin cause kufr? | Yes | No | No |
| Does sin decrease faith? | Expels from it | No | Yes |
| Does faith vary? | No | No | Yes |
| Ruling on major sin committer | Kafir | Perfect believer | Believer with deficient faith |
⚠️ Part 6: The Danger of Murji'ism
1. Minimizing the Importance of Actions
| Effect | Result |
|---|---|
| Actions are not part of faith | Why should I strive? |
| Sin doesn't harm faith | Why avoid sins? |
| We're all equal in faith | Why seek excellence? |
2. Opening the Door to Wickedness
📜 SCENE: The Murji'i's Practical Logic
Young Murji'i: "I am a believer in my heart. Sins don't affect my faith."
Advising friend: "But you don't pray!"
Murji'i: "Prayer is not part of faith, it's only perfection."
Advisor: "And you drink alcohol!"
Murji'i: "My faith is not affected by this."
Advisor: "So what motivates you to obey?"
Murji'i (silent): "..."
3. Contradicting the Consensus of the Salaf
Imam ash-Shafi'i رحمه الله said:
"Faith is statement, action, and belief, which increases by obedience and decreases by disobedience."
This is the consensus of the Salaf.
📖 Part 7: The Story of Al-Hasan al-Basri and Faith
📜 SCENE: The Humility of the Scholar — Basra, End of 1st Century H
A man comes to al-Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله.
The man: "O Abu Sa'id, are you a believer?"
Al-Hasan al-Basri (humbly): "Faith is of two kinds. If you ask me about faith in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, Paradise, Hell, resurrection, and reckoning, then I am a believer."
The man: "And what about the other faith?"
Al-Hasan: "But if you ask me about the verse: ﴾The believers are only those whose hearts tremble when Allah is mentioned﴿, then by Allah, I do not know if I am among them or not!"
He used to say:
"Faith is not by wishful thinking nor by adornment, but what settles in the heart and is confirmed by actions."
Lesson: True faith is not an empty claim; it must manifest in action. Balance between fear and hope is required.
🎯 Part 8: Contemporary Case Studies
Case 1: "What Matters is What's in the Heart"
📜 SCENE: The Repeated Excuse — Today
One who abandons prayer: "I don't pray, but my heart is good. Allah knows what's in my heart!"
Advisor: "What prevents you from praying?"
Abandoner: "Prayer is in the heart!"
Advisor: "Allah تعالى says: ﴾Say: If you love Allah, follow me﴿. Claims without action are false claims."
Ruling: ❌ This is the core of Murji'ite thought. True faith must manifest in action.
Case 2: Equality in Faith
Situation: Someone says: "My faith is like Abu Bakr as-Siddiq's! We're all Muslims!"
| Claim | Response |
|---|---|
| We're all equal | Faith varies |
| No one is better | Abu Bakr is better |
| What matters is being Muslim | What matters is faith and action |
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"If Abu Bakr's faith were placed on one scale and the faith of the Ummah on the other, Abu Bakr's faith would outweigh it."
No equality!
Case 3: Separating Religion from Life
Situation: A merchant cheats in his trade and says: "Religion is in the mosque, and business has its own rules!"
| Error | Correct |
|---|---|
| Religion = worship only | Islam is a comprehensive system |
| Life is separate | All of life is worship |
| Morals are optional | Morals are part of faith |
Ruling: ❌ This is a manifestation of contemporary Murji'ism. Islam governs all aspects of life.
Case 4: Minimizing Sins
Situation: A young man commits sins and says: "Allah is Forgiving, Merciful. My sins don't affect my faith!"
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"The fornicator does not fornicate while being a believer at the moment he fornicates."
Sin weakens faith even if it doesn't expel from it.
Ruling: ⚠️ Sins decrease faith. Relying on forgiveness without repentance = delusion.
Case 5: Delaying Repentance
Situation: A man says: "I'll repent when I get older. Now I'll enjoy my youth, and faith is in my heart!"
| Error | Reality |
|---|---|
| Repentance isn't urgent | Repentance is obligatory immediately |
| Life is long | No guarantee of lifespan |
| Faith in the heart is enough | Faith = statement + action + belief |
Ruling: ❌ Dangerous procrastination. He may die before repenting!
💡 Pause for Reflection
Personal Questions
- Do you rely on "what's in your heart" or do you translate your faith into daily action?
- Do you think your faith is unaffected by your sins?
- Do you separate your religion from your practical life?
- Do you delay repentance and righteous deeds?
Remember
- ✅ Faith is not just a claim, but belief and action
- ✅ It's not enough to love Allah in your heart; you must obey Him
- ✅ Your faith increases every time you obey Allah, and decreases every time you disobey
- ✅ Monitor your actions, for they are the mirror of your faith
📊 Lesson Summary
| Concept | Definition |
|---|---|
| The Murji'ah | Those who excluded actions from faith |
| Origin | Reaction to the excess of the Khawarij (end of 1st century H) |
| Core belief | Actions are not part of faith |
| Types | Jahmiyyah (extreme), Karramiyyah, Ash'ariyyah, Murji'at al-Fuqaha' (mildest) |
| Refutation | Quran, Sunnah, reason, and consensus |
| Danger | Minimizing actions, opening the door to wickedness |
Final Comparison Table
| Group | Definition of Faith | Ruling |
|---|---|---|
| Ahl as-Sunnah | Statement, action, and belief, increases and decreases | The truth ✅ |
| Extreme Murji'ah | Knowledge or belief only | False ❌ |
| Murji'at al-Fuqaha' | Statement and belief, actions condition of perfection | Mild innovation ⚠️ |
🎯 Conclusion
Al-Hasan al-Basri رحمه الله said:
"Faith is not by wishful thinking nor by adornment, but what settles in the heart and is confirmed by actions."
Eternal Lessons
- ✅ Faith = statement + action + belief — None is valid without the others
- ✅ Sins decrease faith — Don't underestimate their effect
- ✅ Action is the proof of faith — Claims alone are not enough
- ✅ Islam is a comprehensive system — No separation between religion and life
Next lesson: The Qadariyyah and Jabriyyah — Human Will Between Excess and Negligence.
And Allah is the Granter of success and the Guide to the right path
My Lord, increase me in knowledge