46 – Bishr ibn al-Muʿtamir, Abū Sahl al-Kūfī, later al-Baghdādī*
He was an erudite scholar—the leading shaykh of the Muʿtazila and a prolific author. He belonged to the foremost Qur’an-reciters (1), was well-versed in historical reports, a poet, and a dialectical theologian. His peers even ranked him above Abān al-Lāhiqī (2). He composed a lengthy ode that filled an entire volume and displayed many varieties of style.
He suffered from leucoderma (3) and was exceptionally intelligent and quick-witted, yet he was not granted right guidance. Although he lived a long life, he never mended his ways. He frequently assailed Abū al-Hudhayl al-ʿAllāf (4), accusing him of hypocrisy.
His works include: “The Interpretation of the Ambiguous,” “A Refutation of the Ignorant,” and “The Book of Justice,” along with other titles (5) that—praise be to God—we have not seen.
He died in 210 AH.

47 – Thumāmah ibn Ashras, Abū Maʿn al-Numayrī al-Baṣrī**
An erudite scholar, a dialectical theologian, and one of the leading figures of the Muʿtazila.