Let us now turn our attention to the theological teachings of
the Jahmiyya, [who trace their name and origin to Jahm ibn
Safwan Abu Muhriz]. Peculiar to Jahm ibn Safwan is the assertion
that, although certain effects may appear to be produced by
human causation, it is only in a metaphorical sense
['ala'l-majaz] that the origin of such effects can be attributed
to the human being, not as a matter of reality [la
'ala'l-haqiqa]. [In other words, to attribute any action to a
human being is merely a figure of speech], just as it is when
one says: "The date palm grew tall, and the fruit ripened." He
always refused to profess the doctrine that Allah is Cognizant
of things prior to their coming into existence ['Alim
bi'l-ashya'i qabla kawniha]. He maintained that the Garden of
Paradise and the Fire of Hell will eventually cease to exist. He
also denied the reality of the [Divine] attributes [sifat]. The
theological school [madhhab] founded by Jahm was located in a
town called Tirmidh, or, according to some authoritie