Ibn al-Malahimi's approach to al-menzila bayna al-manzilatayn and al-va'd va'l va'îd

The Muʿtazila is one of the theological schools in Islamic intellectual history that emerged under religious and political influences. Its thought—distinguished by discussions on issues such as the status of grave sinners (murtakib al-kabīrah), predestination (qadar), and God's attributes— gained prominence especially in the 2nd century AH. During the Abbasid era, Muʿtazilite thought was powerful enough to become the state creed. The school systematized its doctrine under five principles, known as al-uṣūl al-khamsa. However, it lost considerable influence during the Miḥnah due to its controversial stance. In the aftermath, Abū ʿAlī al-Jubbāʾī and his son Abū Hāshim al-Jubbāʾī sought to revitalize the tradition. Later, with Qāḍī ʿAbd al-Jabbār, Muʿtazilism entered its final phase and faced the challenge of survival. Ibn al-Malāḥimī, a key figure of late Muʿtazilism, continued this intellectual legacy in the distant region of Khwārazm. Through his writings, he preserved and transmitted the Muʿtazilite tradition. His work Kitāb al-Fāʾiq fī Uṣūl al-Dīn addresses nearly all major theological topics within the framework of al-uṣūl al-khamsa. This study examines two core principles from this text: al- manzilah bayna al-manzilatayn (the intermediate state between belief and unbelief) and al-waʿd wa al-waʿīd (divine promise and threat), aiming for a critical and analytical approach. The first chapter explores Ibn al-Malāḥimī's life, intellectual context, and opposition to philosophy. The second and third chapters analyze the aforementioned principles, comparing his views with those of both Muʿtazilite and non-Muʿtazilite scholars to determine his position within the tradition. Key Words : History of Islamic Sects, Sect, Mu'tazila, Ibn al-Malāhimī, Kitāb al-Fāik fī Usūlid- Dīn.