Islamic theology has been preserved through centuries by the efforts of scholars who dedicated their lives to understanding and explaining the fundamental beliefs of the faith. Among these scholars, the Ash’ari and Maturidi schools of Aqeedah have been the dominant theological frameworks followed by the majority of the Muslim Ummah. These two schools represent the theological underpinning of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah and have played a critical role in safeguarding the correct understanding of Islamic beliefs.
Proof that the Ashari and Maturidi Aqeedah is the Aqeedah of the Majority of the Ummah
A closer examination of the primary works in Islamic jurisprudence reveals that the scholars responsible for authoring and teaching the most relied-upon texts were overwhelmingly Ash’ari or Maturidi in their theological beliefs. This is evident across three major Sunni Fiqh schools—Hanafi, Maliki, and Shafi’i.
Hanafi Madhhab
- Noor-ul-Idaah by Imam Ash-Shurunbulali – Maturidi
- Mukhtasar Al-Quduri by Imam Al-Quduri – Maturidi
- Al-Hidayah by Imam Al-Marghinani – Maturidi
- Hashiyat Ibn Abideen by Ibn Abideen – Maturidi
These texts are the backbone of Hanafi jurisprudence and are still referenced by scholars and students today.
Maliki Madhhab
- Mukhtasar Khalil by Imam Khalil Ibn Ishaq – Ash’ari
- Aqrab-ul-Masalik by Imam Ahmad Al-Dardir – Ash’ari
- Sharh-ul-Sagheer by Imam Al-Sawi – Ash’ari
- Tabiyin-ul-Masalik by Imam Al-Shinqiti – Ash’ari
The reliance of the Maliki school on these scholars underscores the prevalence of Ash’ari theology among Maliki jurists.
Shafi’i Madhhab
- Tuhfat-ul-Muhtaj by Imam Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami – Ash’ari
- Nihayat-ul-Muhtaj by Imam Al-Ramli – Ash’ari
- Mughni-ul-Muhtaj by Imam Al-Sharbini – Ash’ari
- The Majmoo’ by Imam Al-Nawawi – Ash’ari
These names are among the most esteemed Shafi’i scholars, further proving that the Aqeedah of Ash’ari and Maturidi scholars was the standard within the scholarly tradition.
The Inconsistency of Rejecting Ashari and Maturidi Scholars
Some individuals today argue that the Ash’ari and Maturidi schools are incorrect, dismissing their theological positions as deviations. However, this claim contradicts the very scholars upon whom the Ummah relies for its understanding of Islamic jurisprudence. To accept their rulings on Fiqh while rejecting their theological beliefs is an inconsistent approach.
The scholars who authored the most relied-upon Fiqh texts were not only experts in Islamic law but were also adherents of the Ash’ari or Maturidi school of Aqeedah. If their understanding of Aqeedah were flawed, it would call into question their credibility in all other Islamic sciences as well. Yet, their works continue to be studied and referenced by scholars worldwide, underscoring the fact that their theology was in accordance with the teachings of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah.
Major Institutions and Their Theological Foundations
Many of the world’s most renowned Islamic institutions adhere to the Ash’ari and Maturidi traditions. Examples include:
- Al-Azhar University (Egypt) – One of the oldest and most prestigious centers for Islamic learning, teaching primarily Ash’ari Aqeedah.
- Darul Uloom Deoband (India/Pakistan) – A major institution following the Hanafi school and Maturidi theology.
These institutions have produced countless scholars who have continued the legacy of traditional Islamic scholarship, further cementing the role of Ash’ari and Maturidi theology in the preservation of Islamic beliefs.
Conclusion
The preservation of Islamic theology has been entrusted to the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama’ah, the vast majority of whom followed either the Ash’ari or Maturidi school of Aqeedah. Their works form the foundation of Islamic jurisprudence, theology, and scholarly tradition. To claim that these scholars misunderstood the fundamental aspects of Aqeedah while correctly interpreting Islamic law is not only contradictory but also dismissive of centuries of rigorous scholarly effort.
The acceptance of these theological traditions is not a matter of personal preference but a recognition of the scholarly consensus that has safeguarded the beliefs of the Ummah. As Muslims, it is essential to approach religious knowledge with humility, acknowledging the expertise of those who dedicated their lives to preserving and transmitting the correct understanding of Islam. The Ash’ari and Maturidi schools are not mere theological opinions; they are the standard upon which the majority of the Ummah has relied for generations, ensuring that the authentic message of Islam remains intact.
