Al-Qadir's recantation decree against the innovators (408 AH)

Ibn al-Jawzi, in al-Muntazam, reports that in 408 AH the caliph al-Qadir Billah called on the Hanafi jurists among the Mu'tazilites to repent. They showed their return and disavowed Mu'tazilism. ¹

The caliph forbade them to speak, teach or debate on Mu'tazilism, Rafdh, and opinions contrary to Islam, and took their signed statements to that effect. He threatened them with punishment if they went against it. ¹

The author says that Mahmud, lord of Ghazna, complied with this and followed it in Khurasan and elsewhere. In the account, he killed Mu'tazilites, Rafidis, Isma'ilis, Qaramita, Jahmis and Mushabbiha, crucified and burned some of them, ordered them cursed from the pulpits, and exiled the people of innovation from their lands. Ibn al-Jawzi says this became "a sunna in Islam." This is the author's description, and no other sources are added here to assess it. ¹