Abdul Azeez Bin Yahyah Bin Abdil Azeez Bin Muslim Bin Maymoon Al-Kinaaniy Al-Makkiy Al-Faqee (The jurist and scholar of sound understanding) Ash-Shaafi’ee [240AH] was from the scholars of Makkah; he wrote a treatise (titled) Al-Haydah.

He (rahimahullaah) stated in the beginning of the treatise:

It reached me  whilst I was at Makkah (regarding) what Bishr Bin Ghiyaath Al-Mareesiy proclaimed at Baghdad that the Qur’aan is created and other than it-  (propagating it by way) of propaganda to the people to agree with him and his school of thought; confused the leader of the believers Al-Ma’moon and his Awliyaa [governors, administrators, helpers in his administration etc] and the trial the people were subjected to; entering them into disbelief and misguidance; terrorising the people (i.e. the scholars) and made them afraid of arguing against him (i.e. Bishr); arguing against them (in order to stop them) from refuting him by way of that which will annihilate his speech (that the Qur’aan is created), invalidating his proofs and nullifying his school of thought; and that the believers were hiding themselves in their houses, refraining from the prayer in congregation and the Jumu’ah prayer; fleeing from one land to another out of fear for themselves and their religion; and that many of the ignorant ones and the rabble amongst the people were agreeing with his (i.e. Bishr’s) disbelief and misguidance; entering into bidah and adopting his school of thought out of a desire for the Dunyah and fear of the punishment that was afflicted on those who opposed his school of thought.

Then Abdul Azeez (rahimahullaah) said: My anxiety disturbed (my state of sleep) and my nights were that of sleeplessness; my thoughts abided (i.e. I never stopped thinking about the affair) and my distress and grief was prolonged; so I left my land (i.e. Makkah) whilst turning to Allaah (for aid and assistance); asking Him for safety and (for what I was seeking to) attain until I reach Baghdad. Then I witnessed the ruthlessness regarding the affair (i.e. the fitna at Baghdad), which was twice as much as what reached me (about it whilst I was at Makkah). So I sought refuge with Allaah, invoked Him, humbled myself to Him – out of a fervent desire to reach what is beloved and fleeing away from the cause of fear; humbling myself to Him (with the tears and trembling etc whilst beseeching Him for aid and assistance); stretching my hands to Him (in supplication), asking Him for guidance and to be directed towards good deeds; to be facilitated with the ability to carry out what I was seeking to achieve; to grant me support, look after me and neither to forsake me nor entrust me to myself. And that He facilitates my heart with understanding of His Book and (enable) my tongue to convey it; and that I purify my intention for sake of Allaah and entrust myself to Him; and that He (The Blessed and Most High) makes my responses (to Bishr) swift, strengthen my resolve, embolden my heart, facilitate my heart with understanding of His Book, make my tongue eloquent (upon truth) and gladden my heart (with guidance and acceptance) by way of it, so that I am given discernment in guidance through facilitating me with the ability to carry out (righteous deeds and in attaining what I want to achieve); and that I seek His assistance and help….up until the end of his speech… and how he attended in the presence of Al-Ma’moon, and how his debate took place during which he hindered Bishr from responding (with clear proofs) in everything he was obligated to (give a clear proof, which he could not do); so he (Abdul Azeez) titled the Risaalah (i.e. the one based on the debate with Bishr) ‘Al-Haydah.’

To be continued InShaaAllaah

[Source: Makkah Fee Hayaatil Ilm Wal Ulamaa’ page 29-30’ by Shaikh Muhammad Baazmool (may Allaah preserve him).  Abridged and slightly paraphrased]

Next Topic: How The Madhab of The Deviant Ashaa’irah and Philosophical Rhetoric Entered Makkah. You can read more about this deviant sect here: http://www.asharis.com/creed/index.cfm