Mu'tazilah

A theological school centered in Iraq (mainly around Baghdad and Basra). It emerged in the 8th century AD.  Its heyday was between the 9th and 10th century AD. The earliest development of the sect is a little bit sketchy.

This school differs from the other Muslims sects from the many number of individuals who claim to be from this school or who can be identified (belong) to this school. A variety of ideas and views were espoused by its members.

You have to spend a lot of time reading what or who the Mu'tazilah were. This is mainly due to the many contradictory ideas between the generations and among the many individuals in the same generation. Mu'tazilah group had many skillful debaters (sometimes I get the impression that the Mu'tazilah were members of a large and elaborate debate club).

Many people believe that the downfalls of the Mutazilah school was when it was no longer considered orthodox enough. In the past, some people did consider the Mu'tazilah to indulge too much into the philosophical realm (speculative theology).

This is just a brief overview. I might post some historical background and the development of the sect in the future.