Badāʾ, a theological term denoting the change of a decision or opinion (ra⁠ʾy) and its replacement by another. Lexically, this term has the meaning of ‘appearing’, ‘arising in the mind’ or ‘becoming evident’ (Ibn Manẓūr; al-Jawharī, badā, yabdū; see also al-Jurjānī, 44): it is used in the Qurʾān in the sense of something appearing and becoming manifest (see Q 39:47–48) and also of an opinion arising in the mind (see Q 12:35). However, the ascription of badāʾ to God in the sense of His reaching a new decision and will, i.e. His revoking one decision and judgment in favou…