alAsharis

alAsharis refers to followers of the Ash'ari school of theology, one of the most prominent Sunni Islamic theological schools. Founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari in the 10th century CE, the Ash'ari school sought to reconcile reason and revelation within Islamic jurisprudence. It emerged as a response to certain Mu'tazilite theological positions and aimed to provide a robust defense of orthodox Sunni beliefs using rational argumentation.

Key tenets of Ash'ari theology include the affirmation of God's attributes as described in the Quran and Sunnah, without resorting to anthropomorphism (tashbih) or complete negation (ta'til). They believe that the Quran is the uncreated word of God, but its utterance (lafz) is created. On the issue of free will, Ash'aris hold a position known as kasb, suggesting that humans acquire their actions, while God creates them. This view attempts to balance divine predestination with human responsibility.

The Ash'ari school emphasizes the authority of the Quran and the Sunnah (the teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad) as primary sources of Islamic doctrine. While employing rational tools, Ash'ari scholars generally prioritize textual evidence over philosophical speculation when there is a perceived conflict. The Ash'ari school has been highly influential throughout Islamic history and remains a dominant theological framework for a large portion of Sunni Muslims today, shaping discussions on creed, divine attributes, and the relationship between faith and reason.