The Athari Creed: The Way of the Salaf in Aqeedah

The Athari creed (also called the creed of Ahl al-Hadith or the way of the Salaf) is the theological methodology that directly follows the understanding of the Companions, the Tabi'in, and the early Imams of Islam in matters of belief. The term "Athari" derives from "athar" (narration/tradition), reflecting the methodology's emphasis on adhering to the texts of the Quran and Sunnah without subjecting them to speculative theological interpretation (kalam). The Athari creed is considered by its proponents to be the original and most authentic expression of Sunni theology.

Core Principles

The Athari methodology rests on several key principles. First, the Quran and authentic Sunnah are the primary sources of creed, not philosophical reasoning. Second, the understanding of the Salaf al-Salih (the first three generations) is the standard for interpreting theological texts. Third, Allah's Names and Attributes are affirmed as He described them, without ta'til (denial), tahrif (distortion), takyif (asking how), or tamthil (likening to creation). Fourth, reason serves revelation, not the other way around; when apparent reason contradicts authentic text, the text takes precedence. Fifth, the details of the unseen (ghayb) are accepted as reported without philosophical reinterpretation.

Key Scholars

The Athari creed is attributed to all four Imams of fiqh in their aqeedah positions. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 AH) is the most prominent defender of the Athari creed, having endured imprisonment and torture during the Mihna (inquisition) when the Abbasid caliph al-Ma'mun tried to impose the Mu'tazili doctrine that the Quran was created. Imam al-Bukhari, Imam Muslim, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Dhahabi, and Ibn Kathir are among the most notable Athari scholars. In the modern era, the Athari creed has been promoted by scholars in the Arabian Peninsula and has gained wide following globally.

Relationship to Ash'ari and Maturidi Schools

Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah encompasses three theological schools: Athari, Ash'ari, and Maturidi. While the Athari school considers its approach the most faithful to the Salaf, the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools also claim continuity with early Islam, using rational theology (kalam) to defend orthodox beliefs against philosophical challenges. The three schools agree on the fundamentals: Tawhid, prophethood, the Hereafter, and the authority of the Quran and Sunnah. They differ primarily on methodological questions: how to understand Allah's Attributes, the role of reason in theology, and whether kalam is a valid tool for defending the faith. The scholarly tradition has generally treated all three as legitimate expressions of Sunni orthodoxy, even while vigorous debates occur between them.