Ash'ari
Acceptedأشعرية
Overview
A school of Islamic theology founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari (d. 935 CE) that uses limited rational argumentation to defend the creed of Ahl us-Sunnah against Mu'tazilah rationalism. Accepts Allah's attributes but differs from the Athari position in its use of ta'wil (metaphorical interpretation) for some attributes. Predominant among Shafi'i and Maliki scholars historically.
Key Beliefs
- Allah's existence and attributes proven through rational argument
- Limited ta'wil of ambiguous Quranic verses regarding divine attributes
- Seven essential attributes: Life, Knowledge, Power, Will, Hearing, Sight, Speech
- Rejecting the Mu'tazilah position that the Quran is created
Scholarly Evaluation
Accepted within Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah by majority scholarly consensus, despite methodological differences with the Athari school on certain matters. Al-Ash'ari himself was a student of al-Jubbai (Mu'tazilah) before his return to the creed of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, which he documented in Al-Ibanah. Historically represented by major scholars including al-Bayhaqi, al-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani, and al-Suyuti.
Key Figures
- Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari (d. 935 CE)
- Al-Bayhaqi (994–1066 CE)
- Al-Ghazali (1058–1111 CE)
- Al-Nawawi (1233–1277 CE)
- Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani (1372–1449 CE)
Sources
- Al-Ibanah an Usul al-Diyanah (al-Ash'ari)
- Al-Luma' fi al-Radd ala Ahl al-Zaigh (al-Ash'ari)
- Ihya Ulum al-Din (al-Ghazali)
Parent Group
Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jama'ahFounder
Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari
Founded
874 CE