Murji'ah

Murji'ah

One of the earliest sects of Islam to believe in the postponement of judgment on those who have committed serious sins, recognizing that God alone is able to decide whether a Muslim has lost his faith. The Murji'ah flourished during the 7th–8th century, a period of strife in the Muslim community. Unlike the Kharijites, a militant sect that wanted to oust serious sinners from the community and declare jihad against them, the Murji'ah, who advocated leaving great sinners to God, claimed that no one who had professed Islam could be declared an infidel. When the Kharijites revolted against the Umayyad dynasty, the Murji'ah declared that revolt against a Muslim ruler could not be justified under any circumstances. The Murji'ah were moderates who emphasized the love and goodness of God.