| Religion: | Islam (formerly) |
| Bishr ibn Ghiyath al-Marisi | |
| Birth Date: | 755 CE |
| Death Date: | 813 CE |
| Denomination: | Murji'ah, Jahmiyyah |
| Region: | Mesopotamia (present-day Iraq) |
| Notable Ideas: | Creation of the Qur'an, Metaphorical Interpretations of God's Attributes |
| Occupation: | Scholar and theologian |
| Main Interests: | Philosophy |
| Influences: | Abu Yusuf, Sufyan ibn Uyaynah, Jahm bin Safwan |
| Influenced: | Al-Dhahabi, Ibn Furak, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi |
Bishr al-Marisi (Arabic: بشر المريسي born 755, died 813) full name Abu 'Abd al-Rahman Bishr ibn Ghiyath ibn Abi Karimah al-Marisi or simply Bishr ibn Ghiyath al-Marisi was a 9th-century religious scholar and theologian.[1] [2] He was infamous for his controversial views which earned him the scorn of his contemporary Muslim scholars.[3] [4]
Bishr's father, Ghiyath, was a Jewish slave or jeweller from Kufa[5] [6] who had reverted to Islam and become a mawla of the Quraysh tribe.[7]
In adulthood, Bishr became an ascetic, and he took scholarly knowledge from Hanafi scholars, such as Abu Yusuf.[8] However, he later adopted the Jahmite views after he learned them from a group of Jahm bin Safwan's students.[9] Abu Yusuf disassociated with Bishr after finding out that he had Jahmite or Murji'ite tendencies.
Bishr also conducted theological debates with Al-Shafi'i, and in his free time he made offensive melodies and poetry.
Bishr al-Marisi died in the year 813. According to Al-Khatib al-Baghdadi, the people of Baghdad (whom were influenced by Bishr's opponents) rejoiced upon hearing news of his death.[10]
Bishr al-Marisi was criticized and subsequently excommunicated by many scholars who lived contemporary to him, and after him. 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.[11] [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] 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. Even Sufis like Bishr Hafi 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.[16]
Despite 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. Ibn al-Nadim regarded Bishr as a great ascetic who wrote books in refutation of the Kharijites and Shi'ites.[17] 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.
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. 2024-03-23 . www.simplysalafiyyah.com.