Ash'ariyya

Definition

Ash'ariyya refers to a theological school within Sunni Islam founded by the scholar Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari in the 10th century. This school emphasizes a middle ground between rationalism and traditionalism, asserting that divine attributes must be understood through revelation rather than human reason, while still maintaining the importance of rational thought in understanding faith.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Ash'ariyya was established as a response to the rationalist Mu'tazilite school, aiming to defend traditional beliefs while still incorporating reason into theology.
2. The Ash'ari perspective emphasizes the uniqueness of God, arguing that God's attributes cannot be compared to human qualities or understood fully through human reasoning.
3. Al-Ash'ari's work sought to bridge the gap between strict adherence to the Qur'an and Hadith and philosophical inquiry, making the school influential among later Islamic theologians.
4. Ash'ariyya theology became widely accepted in many parts of the Muslim world and is considered one of the major theological foundations for mainstream Sunni Islam.
5. Key concepts within Ash'ariyya include 'theological determinism,' which holds that God's will is absolute and encompasses all aspects of life, while still affirming human responsibility.

Review Questions

• How does ash'ariyya reconcile the use of reason with traditional beliefs in Islam?
  • Ash'ariyya reconciles reason with traditional beliefs by advocating for a balanced approach that accepts rational inquiry while prioritizing revelation as the ultimate source of knowledge about God. This school argues that human reasoning has limitations when it comes to understanding divine attributes, insisting that such matters should primarily be based on scripture. Thus, while they promote the use of reason in theology, they firmly maintain that it should not contradict established religious teachings.
• Discuss the relationship between ash'ariyya and the Mu'tazilites in terms of their differing views on free will and divine attributes.
  • The relationship between ash'ariyya and the Mu'tazilites is characterized by significant theological differences, particularly concerning free will and divine attributes. While the Mu'tazilites emphasize human free will and rationality, asserting that people have the ability to choose their actions independently, ash'ariyya adopts a more deterministic view. Ash'ari scholars argue that God's will is paramount and encompasses everything, which means human choices are ultimately aligned with divine preordainment. Additionally, their interpretations of God's attributes differ; ash'ariyya stresses that divine qualities should not be anthropomorphized or fully comprehended through human logic.
• Evaluate how ash'ariyya has influenced contemporary Islamic thought in relation to Sufism and Salafi movements.
  • Ash'ariyya has significantly influenced contemporary Islamic thought, particularly regarding its interactions with Sufism and Salafi movements. In Sufism, ash'ariyya's emphasis on metaphysical understanding aligns well with mystical practices, allowing for a more nuanced interpretation of God's nature and attributes. Conversely, Salafi movements often critique ash'ariyya for its metaphorical interpretations, favoring a literalist approach to scripture. This dynamic showcases ongoing debates within Islam about faith, reason, and authority, reflecting how ash'ariyya continues to shape discussions around theology in both traditional and reformist contexts.

Related terms

Mu'tazilites: A rationalist school of Islamic theology that emphasized reason and free will, often contrasting with the Ash'ariyya perspective on divine attributes and predestination.

Sufism: A mystical Islamic belief system that emphasizes personal experience and connection with the divine, which can sometimes align with Ash'ariyya beliefs regarding God's nature.

Salafi: A movement within Sunni Islam that seeks to return to the practices of the earliest Muslims, often rejecting Ash'ariyya's reliance on metaphorical interpretations of divine attributes.