atharî

Atharî is a term that can refer to several distinct concepts. In the context of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh), atharî refers to a school of thought that prioritizes religious texts, particularly the Quran and the Sunnah (the traditions and practices of the Prophet Muhammad), as the primary sources of Islamic law. Adherents of the atharî approach are known as Atharis. They tend to be more literal in their interpretation of these texts and are generally hesitant to employ analogical reasoning (qiyas) or personal opinion (ra'y) when their application is not clearly supported by the scriptures. This approach emphasizes the importance of preserving and following the established traditions without extensive commentary or elaboration that might deviate from the original meaning.

The term atharî can also be used more broadly to denote someone who transmits or reports traditions, particularly Hadith, which are narrations about the sayings and actions of the Prophet Muhammad. In this sense, an atharî is a narrator or transmitter of athar (plural of athar), which are the traditions and historical accounts passed down through chains of transmission. Scholars who focused on collecting, verifying, and categorizing these athar played a crucial role in the development and preservation of Islamic knowledge.

Furthermore, the word "Athari" can appear as a surname or a given name in some cultures, particularly those with Islamic heritage. Without further context, it is difficult to determine which specific meaning of Atharî is intended.