Maturidis

Maturidis are adherents of the Maturidi school of Sunni Islamic theology, named after Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (c. 853–944 CE). The school originated in Transoxiana (Central Asia) during the 9th and 10th centuries and is regarded as one of the two major Sunni kalam (theological) traditions alongside the Ash'ari school.

Method and beliefs: Maturidis emphasize the use of rational interpretation in defending faith while remaining anchored in revelation. They argue that humans have real moral responsibility and that divine creation of actions is reconciled with accountability through the theory of acquisition (kasb). They affirm the reality of God's attributes and strive to preserve divine unity, often interpreting attributes in a manner that avoids anthropomorphism while maintaining coherence with scriptural texts.

Relation to other schools: The Maturidi school is closely associated with the Hanafi madhab in jurisprudence. It is commonly presented as a theological counterpart to the Ash'ari school within Sunni Islam. Differences between Maturidis and Ash'aris are nuanced and largely methodological, particularly in their use of reason and interpretation of divine attributes, rather than in core articles of faith.

Legacy and influence: The Maturidi tradition played a major role in shaping Sunni orthodoxy, especially in Central Asia and among Hanafi-centered communities. It remains influential in various regions and in modern scholarship, where its rationalist approach to creed continues to be studied alongside other kalam traditions, contributing to the diversity of Sunni theological thought.