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Bishr al-Marisi
Bishr al-Marisi (Arabic: بشر المريسي born 755, died 813) full name Abu 'Abd al-Rahman Bishr ibn Ghiyath ibn Abi Karimah al-Marisi[2] or simply Bishr ibn Ghiyath al-Marisi was a 9th-century religious scholar and theologian.[2][1][3] He was infamous for his controversial views which earned him the scorn of his contemporary Muslim scholars.[4][5][6] BiographyEarly lifeBishr's father, Ghiyath, was a Jewish slave or jeweller from Kufa[7][8] who had reverted to Islam and become a mawla of the Quraysh tribe.[9][4] Pursuit of knowledge and asceticismIn adulthood, Bishr became an ascetic, and he took scholarly knowledge from Hanafi scholars, such as Abu Yusuf.[9][5][7] However, he later adopted the Jahmite views after he learned them from a group of Jahm bin Safwan's students.[8][10] Abu Yusuf disassociated with Bishr after finding out that he had Jahmite or Murji'ite tendencies.[5] Bishr also conducted theological debates with Al-Shafi'i, and in his free time he made offensive melodies and poetry. DeathBishr al-Marisi died in the year 813.[4][8] According to Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, the people of Baghdad (whom were influenced by Bishr's opponents) rejoiced upon hearing news of his death.[11] CriticismBishr al-Marisi was criticized and subsequently excommunicated by many scholars who lived contemporary to him, and after him.[5][7][3] The Shafi'ite jurist Uthman ibn Sa'id al-Darimi wrote a book titled Naqd 'Uthman ibn Sa'id 'alal-Marisi al-Jahmi al-Anid, which was a detailed refutation of Bishr and his theology.[12] The Hanafite jurist Abd al-Aziz al-Kinani published a treatise titled Kitab al-Haydah, which served a similar purpose.[13][14] Some other scholars had murderous desires against him and attempted to incite violence against him.[15][16] One such example was Yazid ibn Harun, whom encouraged his neighbours to assault and kill Bishr. The Tabi' al-Tabi'een members, Sufyan ibn Uyaynah and Abd Allah ibn al-Mubarak excommunicated Bishr al-Marisi.[5][15] Even Sufis like Bishr Hafi[5] did the same, and were harsh against Bishr's opinions especially his views on the createdness of the Qur'an and God's divine attributes. Abu Bakr al-Khallal also forbade people from praying behind Bishr al-Marisi.[15][10] PraiseDespite the harsh criticisms from many scholars, Bishr al-Marisi was praised by the historian Al-Dhahabi, who regarded him as a brilliant speaker and debater.[9][8] Ibn al-Nadim regarded Bishr as a great ascetic who wrote books in refutation of the Kharijites and Shi'ites.[10] Later theologians like Ibn Furak, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi and Abu Mansur al-Maturidi incorporated some of Bishr's theological principles into their own theological concepts.[5] See alsoReferences
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