Altering the meaning of texts (قرمطة)
العقيدة
المعنى الاصطلاحي :
To alter evidence so that it signifies other than its proper and established meaning.
الشرح المختصر :
"Qarmatah" (altering the meaning of texts) means altering the texts by applying false interpretations, altering either the words or the meanings, or both. This action has been named "qarmatah" after the esoteric "Al-Qaraamitah", who were the followers of Hamdaan ibn Qirmit. "Al-Qaraamitah" explain clear and known texts in corrupt ways and meanings. For example, they alter the meaning of prayer to mean recognition of their secrets, fasting to mean concealing their secrets, and pilgrimage to mean visiting their shaykhs (scholars), and so on.
التعريف اللغوي المختصر :
"Qarmatah": combining two things; a style of walking with short steps. Other meanings: bringing together.