ashariyya

Ashariyya (Ash'ari) refers to a major tradition of Sunni Islamic theology founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari in the 9th–10th centuries as a response to Mu'tazilite rationalism and as a synthesis of scripturalism and reason. The school developed in Basra and Baghdad and became one of the dominant orthodox-theological currents in medieval Islam, influencing much of the Muslim world alongside competing approaches such as the Maturidi and early philosophical schools.

Core doctrines emphasize that knowledge of God and religious truths comes primarily through revelation, with reason playing a corollary role within strict limits. Ash'aris argue that God possesses real, eternal attributes, but human beings should not interpret these attributes in a way that resembles created beings. They advocate a cautious use of analogy and metaphor to avoid anthropomorphism, emphasizing God’s transcendence and unity. A distinctive feature is the theory of creation and acquisition (kasb): God creates human actions, while humans acquire them to establish accountability and moral responsibility without denying divine omnipotence.

The Qur'an is treated as the uncreated speech of God, and the attributes of God are considered real but not to be equated with any created essence. Ash'ari method combines kalam (speculative theology) with adherence to the Qur’an and Sunnah, aiming to defend orthodox belief against both excessive rationalism and literalist interpretations.

Influence and legacy: Ash'ari theology became a central component of Sunni orthodoxy in much of the Islamic world, shaping doctrinal debates, apologetics, and jurisprudential development. Prominent proponents include al-Ash'ari, al-Baqillani, and al-Ghazali, whose works helped systematize and popularize Ash'ari thought for centuries.