The mihna of 218 A.H./833 A.D. revisited : An empirical study

Biographical information from numerous chronicles has been found for 28 of 44 men, known by name, who were interrogated on order of al-Ma mun in the "mihna." Findings indicate that al-Ma mun chose to focus on the interrogees because of their greater intellectual eminance and social influence and to make them an example to all traditionists. The "mihna" was a design for al-Ma mun to secure for the caliphal institution full control over religious matters.