Badā

views updated May 29 2018

Badā' (Arab., ‘appearance’). The occurrence of new circumstances which bring about the alteration of an earlier determination on the part of God. The issue related to this term is extremely controversial in Islam, because it implies that God can ‘change his mind’—i.e. it threatens the attribution of immutability, omnipotence, and qadr (see ALLĀH).

Badā' rests particularly on the Quranic claim that God will change his determination to punish sinners, provided that they repent. It is reinforced by mansukh (naskh, abrogation of one part of the Qur'ān by another).

BADA

views updated May 18 2018

BADA British Antique Dealers' Association