They said: “This is because all of this can be known only through revelation and reports from Allah and His Messenger.”

They also said: “There is nothing in the Quran and Sunnah that clarifies what Allah will do with those who have committed sins other than disbelief.” They interpreted His saying, Most High:

“If you avoid the major sins you are forbidden, We will expiate your lesser sins,”

as allowing that “major sins” may mean disbelief alone, as in His saying, Most High:

“Indeed, Allah does not forgive associating partners with Him.”

These matters were mentioned by Judge Abū Bakr ibn al-Bāqillānī and others who hold such views and follow the approach of Jahm ibn Safwān regarding divine decree and the threat of punishment. They intended thereby to oppose the Mu'tazilah on these two matters.

The Mu'tazilah maintained that Allah did not create people’s actions, that He wills things that do not occur, and that things occur which He does not will. In this, they followed the approach of those who deny divine decree. Regarding the threat of punishment, they adopted a position similar to that of the Khawārij. They said: “Whoever enters the Fire will never leave it, whether through intercession or otherwise; rather, his punishment will be everlasting.” Thus, according to them, Allah will never have mercy on someone who commits a major sin, or whose evil deeds outweigh his good deeds; rather, He will cause him to remain in the Fire forever.

In what they said concerning divine decree, they contradicted the Sunnah transmitted through numerous independent chains and the consensus of the Companions. Jahm opposed them on both matters, and these people followed Jahm’s approach, despite professing affiliation with the people of the Sunnah and hadith