The Matter of the Three Brothers and the Possibility of Divine Justice

Abstract

The matter of the three brothers poses a serious problem for theodicy and Ash'arī writers have often cited it to refute Mu'tazilī thought. This refutation targets both the aslah doctrine and the general Mu'tazilah emphasis on divine justice. In this article, both the Ash'arī and Mu'tazilī views are evaluated. Then, the principle of double effect, as a much-used philosophical instrument to resolve moral dilemmas, is discussed to help show precisely what the problem is in the case of the three brothers. Thereafter, a discussion of moral monism and pluralism is conducted to establish an ethical foundation to solve the case. In opposition to Ash'arī and Mu'tazilah solutions, a third view is proposed that uses the understanding of the divine promise and threat (al-wa'd wa al-waīd) and divine wisdom (hikmah) found in Māturīdī theology. In this way, we explain each brother's status vis-à-vis divine justice and grace and present what seems the most successful response to the problem represented by the case of the three brothers.