Who are the Ash'aris? Are they among Ahl as-Sunnah?

2 Answers

1. 

   Sultan Abu Muhammad Qureshi Muslim Writer

   2023-09-26T01:42:20+01:00Added an answer on September 26, 2023 at 1:42 am

   The Ash’aris are a prominent theological school within Sunni Islam:

   1. Who Are the Ash’aris?

   • The Ash’aris are followers of a theological school of thought within Sunni Islam. They are named after Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari (874-936 CE), who played a significant role in the development of Ash’ari theology.
   • Ash’ari theology is one of the two main Sunni theological schools, with the other being the Maturidi school. These schools primarily deal with matters of creed (aqida) and belief.

   2. Historical Context:

   • The Ash’ari theological school emerged during the early centuries of Islam, well before the sectarian divisions between Sunni and Shia Islam. It was established during the Abbasid period.
   • The Ash’ari school became particularly influential in defending mainstream Sunni beliefs against various theological challenges of the time.

   3. Relationship with Sunni Islam:

   • The Ash’ari school is an integral part of Sunni Islam. Its adherents follow the Sunni tradition and the beliefs established in the early centuries of Islam.
   • Ash’ari theology is known for its emphasis on rationality, the acceptance of predestination (qadar), and the belief in divine attributes that are in harmony with reason.

   4. Shia-Sunni Division:

   • The division between Sunni and Shia Islam began primarily over issues related to leadership and the rightful successors of the Prophet Muhammad. It became more pronounced after the death of the third Caliph, Usman ibn Affan, and the subsequent leadership of Ali ibn Abi Talib.
   • The Ash’ari theological school, focusing on creed and belief, predates the Shia-Sunni division and is not directly related to it.

   5. Aqida of the Ash’aris:

   • Ash’ari theology, in terms of creed (aqida), is characterized by several key beliefs:
     • Belief in the absolute oneness of Allah (Tawhid).
     • Acceptance of divine predestination (qadar).
     • Affirmation of the attributes of Allah as mentioned in the Quran and Hadith, while maintaining that these attributes are unique to Allah and not comparable to human attributes.
     • Emphasis on the importance of reason in understanding and defending theological beliefs.

   6. Ash’ari School and Fiqh Jafria (Shia):

   • The Ash’ari school is not associated with Shia Islam or the Ja’fari school of jurisprudence (fiqh). Shia Islam developed its own theological and jurisprudential traditions, which differ significantly from Sunni Ash’ari theology.

   In summary, the Ash’aris are followers of a prominent Sunni theological school named after Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari. Their theological beliefs, which include affirming the oneness of Allah, accepting divine predestination, and emphasizing reason, are firmly rooted in Sunni Islam. The emergence of Ash’ari theology predates the Shia-Sunni division and is not directly related to it. Ash’ari theology is distinct from the theological and jurisprudential traditions of Shia Islam.

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3. 

   Rushna shah Muslim Writer

   2023-09-26T09:56:37+01:00Added an answer on September 26, 2023 at 9:56 am

   The term “Ash’aris” refers to a theological school within Sunni Islam. They are followers of the teachings of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari (c. 874–936 CE), who was an Islamic scholar and theologian. The Ash’aris are part of the broader Sunni tradition, known as “Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah,” which represents the mainstream Sunni Muslim beliefs.The Ash’aris are known for their specific approach to Islamic theology, often referred to as “Ash’arism” or “Ash’ari theology.” Some of their key theological positions include Belief in the divine attributes: They affirm the attributes of Allah mentioned in the Quran and Hadith but interpret them in a way that avoids anthropomorphism or likening Allah to His creation. Predestination (Qadar): The Ash’aris believe in predestination while emphasizing human free will within the framework of Allah’s divine plan.Authority of reason: They place importance on rational arguments and philosophical reasoning to defend and explain Islamic theology. It’s important to note that within Sunni Islam, there are different theological schools, including the Ash’aris, the Maturidis, and others. These schools often share core beliefs and differences in theological nuances. While the Ash’aris are an important theological school within Sunni Islam, they are just one of many, and their teachings are considered part of the broader Sunni tradition. Different Muslim communities may follow different theological schools, and all are generally considered part of Ahl al-Sunnah, the mainstream Sunni Muslims.

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