noorahmad
11-11-06, 11:24 AM
We begin with the Name of Allaah
A sect that denies the Attributes of Allaah, ta'weel being one of its outstanding hallmarks.
The Ash`aris are a doctrinal school of thought named after Imam Abul-Hasan Ash`ari. Some latter Ash`aris resorted to interpretation of some of the allegorical attributes, initially in an effort to curb the waves of anthropomorphism which were raging in their time. They based these interpretations on the Arabic language and the contexts of the verses. Anything whose interpretation was not abundantly clear to them (such as the Vision of Allah for the believers in the Hereafter), they deferred to Allah. Also, it should be noted that not all Ash`aris resorted to interpretation. It is important to make a distinction between the Ash`aris, on the one hand, and the Jahmiyyah and Mu`tazilah on the other. Many prominent scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah were Ash`aris, e.g. Qadi Abu Bakr al-Baqillani, Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, Imam Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani. In fact, most Malikis, Shafi`is and Hanbalis have been Ash`ari in doctrine. Although both al-Ash`ari and al-Maturidi were Hanafi in jurisprudence, the latter was more affected by the doctrinal heritage of Imam Abu Hanifah. The differences between the Ash`aris and Maturidis are minor, numbering around a couple of dozen points, many of which are merely differences in terminology.
As is known the author of at-Tahaawiyyah and its explainer were both Hanafees, and at-Tahaawee was a contemporary of al-Ash'aree. He wrote his Aqeedah to explain the Aqeedah of Imaam Abu Haneefah and his companions, and it is very like what is found in Fiqh al-Akbar from him. They report from the Imaam that he clearly states the Kufr (disbelief) of one who says that Allaah - the Most Perfect and Exalted - is not upon the Arsh (throne) or remains silent about it.
Also his student Aboo Yoosuf declares Bishr al-Maareesee to be a Kaafir, and as is well known the Ash'ariyyah deny Allaah's ascension and deny that He the Most High is above the Arsh (Throne) and it is also well known that their principles were taken from Bishr al-Maareesee!! [See what is mentioned in Siyar A'laamin-Nubulaa in the Biography of Bishr (10/200-201) and al-Hamawiyyah (p.14-15) ]
The position of the Hanbalees with regard to the Ash'ariyyah is more famous than to need mention. So since Imaam Ahmad declared 'Ibn Kullaab' to be an innovator and ordered to be ostracized, and he was the true founder of the Ash'aree madhhab. The Hanbalees have not ceased to be involved in a long battle with them. Even to the time of the state of Nizaam ul-Mulk in which they behaved presumptuously, and after it the Hanbalees ejected every speaker who mixed anything from the madhhab of the Ash'ariyyah into his speeches. Ibn ul-Qushairi was one of those who experienced this, and because their madhhab had become so widespread, and due to the agreement of the scholars of the state, especially the Hanbalees that he should be opposed, so the Khaleefah al-Qaadir sent out al-I'tiqaad al-Qaadiree which clarified the aqeedah which was binding upon the Ummah in the year 433H.[See al-Muntazam of Ibnul-Jawzee, events of the year 433, 469 &475 - (vols 8 & 9)]
And Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah quotes that when Abdul-Qaadir al-Jeelaanee was asked: "Has there ever been one who was a Walee of Allaah who was upon other than the aqeedah of Ahmad bin Hanbal?" He replied: "That has not occurred and will never occur." [Al-Istiqaamah (pp.85-86)]
A sect that denies the Attributes of Allaah, ta'weel being one of its outstanding hallmarks.
The Ash`aris are a doctrinal school of thought named after Imam Abul-Hasan Ash`ari. Some latter Ash`aris resorted to interpretation of some of the allegorical attributes, initially in an effort to curb the waves of anthropomorphism which were raging in their time. They based these interpretations on the Arabic language and the contexts of the verses. Anything whose interpretation was not abundantly clear to them (such as the Vision of Allah for the believers in the Hereafter), they deferred to Allah. Also, it should be noted that not all Ash`aris resorted to interpretation. It is important to make a distinction between the Ash`aris, on the one hand, and the Jahmiyyah and Mu`tazilah on the other. Many prominent scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah were Ash`aris, e.g. Qadi Abu Bakr al-Baqillani, Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, Imam Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani. In fact, most Malikis, Shafi`is and Hanbalis have been Ash`ari in doctrine. Although both al-Ash`ari and al-Maturidi were Hanafi in jurisprudence, the latter was more affected by the doctrinal heritage of Imam Abu Hanifah. The differences between the Ash`aris and Maturidis are minor, numbering around a couple of dozen points, many of which are merely differences in terminology.
As is known the author of at-Tahaawiyyah and its explainer were both Hanafees, and at-Tahaawee was a contemporary of al-Ash'aree. He wrote his Aqeedah to explain the Aqeedah of Imaam Abu Haneefah and his companions, and it is very like what is found in Fiqh al-Akbar from him. They report from the Imaam that he clearly states the Kufr (disbelief) of one who says that Allaah - the Most Perfect and Exalted - is not upon the Arsh (throne) or remains silent about it.
Also his student Aboo Yoosuf declares Bishr al-Maareesee to be a Kaafir, and as is well known the Ash'ariyyah deny Allaah's ascension and deny that He the Most High is above the Arsh (Throne) and it is also well known that their principles were taken from Bishr al-Maareesee!! [See what is mentioned in Siyar A'laamin-Nubulaa in the Biography of Bishr (10/200-201) and al-Hamawiyyah (p.14-15) ]
The position of the Hanbalees with regard to the Ash'ariyyah is more famous than to need mention. So since Imaam Ahmad declared 'Ibn Kullaab' to be an innovator and ordered to be ostracized, and he was the true founder of the Ash'aree madhhab. The Hanbalees have not ceased to be involved in a long battle with them. Even to the time of the state of Nizaam ul-Mulk in which they behaved presumptuously, and after it the Hanbalees ejected every speaker who mixed anything from the madhhab of the Ash'ariyyah into his speeches. Ibn ul-Qushairi was one of those who experienced this, and because their madhhab had become so widespread, and due to the agreement of the scholars of the state, especially the Hanbalees that he should be opposed, so the Khaleefah al-Qaadir sent out al-I'tiqaad al-Qaadiree which clarified the aqeedah which was binding upon the Ummah in the year 433H.[See al-Muntazam of Ibnul-Jawzee, events of the year 433, 469 &475 - (vols 8 & 9)]
And Shaikhul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah quotes that when Abdul-Qaadir al-Jeelaanee was asked: "Has there ever been one who was a Walee of Allaah who was upon other than the aqeedah of Ahmad bin Hanbal?" He replied: "That has not occurred and will never occur." [Al-Istiqaamah (pp.85-86)]