ashari

Ashari (also spelled Ash’ari) refers to adherents of the Ash’ari school of theology within Sunni Islam. The school was founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash’ari (c. 874–936 CE), who originally studied Mu’tazili thought but sought to defend orthodox beliefs against excessive reliance on rational speculation and to affirm the authority of revelation.

Key tenets include a balanced approach to reason and scripture. Rational inquiry is permitted to defend belief, but human reason is not seen as capable of exhaustively discerning the divine essence. God is wholly transcendent, and His attributes are real yet not to be understood in a strictly literal or anthropomorphic sense. When scriptural language appears to describe God in physical terms, Ash’ari theologians typically employ ta’wil (interpretation) to preserve divine transcendence. The Qur’an is regarded as the uncreated speech of God, with divine omnipotence and justice as central concerns in their theology.

Historically, Ashari theology became one of the dominant threads of Sunni orthodoxy, influencing many scholars and madrasas across the Islamic world. It coexisted with other theological streams such as Maturidi and, in some contexts, Athari. In later centuries, Ashari thought was developed by prominent scholars who integrated it with legal and philosophical discussions. Today, Ashari theology remains a widespread mainstream tradition in many Sunni communities, particularly in parts of the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia.