Bishr studied the principles of theology (kalām) in Baṣra, the source and centre of Muʿtazilī teachings in that period, with Bishr b. Saʿīd and Abū ʿUthmān al-Zaʿfarānī, both of whom were pupils of Wāṣil b. ʿAṭāʾ (d. 131/749), the founder of the Muʿtazilī school (al-Malaṭī, 42–43). His most prominent teacher was Muʿammar b. ʿAbbād al-Sulamī (Ibn al-Murtaḍā, Ṭabaqāt, 54).

After Bishr b. al-Muʿtamir moved to Baghdad, he started classes there, preparing the way for the propagation of Muʿtazilī teachings and th…