Much of the debate on theological matters from the mid first/seventh century to the mid second/eighth century was heavily concentrated in Iraq. This may have been because Iraq witnessed much of the opposition to Umayyad rule, and was a safer place for the Shi‘i and Khariji movements. One of the most influential figures in Iraq at this significant time was Hasan al-Basri(d. 110/728), a well-known teacher and ascetic in Iraqi religious circles. Even though al-Basri appeared on the scene before the Mu‘tazili-Traditionist debates began in earnest, he undoubtedly left ideas that influenced their development, and planted the seed of a different religiousmovement.