Aqeedah of Ahl al Sunnah: Ashari, Maturidi, Hanbali | Shaykh Mohammad Hasan al-Dido

Summary

This transcript discusses the foundation of Islamic belief, focusing on the importance of knowledge and faith in building civilizations. It delves into the core tenets of Islamic creed, such as belief in God, angels, scriptures, prophets, the afterlife, and predestination. The speaker contrasts orthodox Sunni schools of thought—like the Hanbali, Ash'ari, and Maturidi—with deviant sects such as the Mu'tazila and Jabriya. The overall message highlights the legitimacy of various Sunni schools of theology and law, emphasizing unity despite differences in interpretation and jurisprudence.

Takeaways

• 📚 Knowledge is the foundation for building civilization and reviving the glories of the past.
• ☝️ The core of belief (Aqidah) is faith in God, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and destiny (both good and bad).
• 📖 True belief is what was brought by Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and understood by his companions, not influenced by later philosophical or theological schools.
• ⚖️ Differences in jurisprudence (fiqh) arose after the time of the Companions and Followers (Tabi'un), and these are acceptable as long as they align with the core teachings of Islam.
• 💡 Philosophical or intellectual attempts that go against divine texts are considered innovations (bid'ah) and lead to misguidance.
• 🚫 Deviant theological sects like the Mu'tazilites, Jahmites, Qadariyyah, and Jabariyyah are rejected due to their divergence from the original sources.
• ✅ Accepted ijtihad (independent reasoning) must remain within the boundaries of the Quran and Sunnah, which is the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah (people of the Sunnah).
• 📜 There are three primary Sunni theological schools: the Salafi/Athari (followers of Ahmad ibn Hanbal), the Ash'ari (founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari), and the Maturidi (followers of Abu Mansur al-Maturidi).
• 🤝 Despite differences, these Sunni theological schools share a common foundation in belief and practice, allowing for diversity within unity.
• 🔄 Scholars within these schools are not criticized for their efforts in ijtihad, as long as their methodology remains in line with the principles of Islam.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the script?

The main theme of the script is about the development of civilization through knowledge, the importance of foundational Islamic beliefs, and the differences between various Islamic theological schools of thought.

What are the six pillars of faith mentioned in the script?

The six pillars of faith mentioned are belief in Allah, His angels, His books, His messengers, the Last Day, and predestination (both good and evil).

What is the distinction made between 'original belief' and 'innovations' in Islamic thought?

The script distinguishes 'original belief' as what was taught by Prophet Muhammad and understood by his companions, while innovations refer to later intellectual efforts that either deviate from or attempt to reconcile Islamic teachings with philosophical or intellectual questions.

What does the script mention about the role of philosophical questions in Islamic theology?

The script highlights that philosophical questions sometimes led to efforts to reconcile perceived contradictions or to answer intellectual challenges, but such attempts could be classified as either orthodox or heterodox depending on their adherence to the original texts.

What does the script say about the emergence of theological sects?

The script mentions the emergence of several theological sects, such as the Mu'tazilites, Jahmites, Qadariyyah, and Jabriyyah, which introduced various innovations and diverged from the core Islamic beliefs taught by Prophet Muhammad.

Who are some of the notable figures associated with the Salafi school mentioned in the script?

The Salafi school is associated with scholars like Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Muhammad, Muhammad ibn Isma'il al-Bukhari, al-Darimi, Ibn Khuzaymah, and others.

How does the script differentiate between the three main Sunni schools of theology?

The three main Sunni schools of theology mentioned are: the Athari (Salafi) school, associated with figures like Ahmad ibn Hanbal; the Ash'ari school, founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, who initially followed Mu'tazilism before reverting to Sunni orthodoxy; and the Maturidi school, associated with Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, which is closely related to the Ash'ari school with minor differences.

How does the script compare Islamic theological schools with the Islamic jurisprudential schools?

The script compares the theological schools (Athari, Ash'ari, and Maturidi) with the jurisprudential schools (Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki, Hanbali), emphasizing that just as the ummah accepted the existence of different legal schools, it also tolerated diversity in theological thought as long as the core principles were upheld.

What is the view on independent reasoning (ijtihad) in Islamic theology according to the script?

The script allows for independent reasoning (ijtihad) as long as it adheres to the foundational texts and principles of Islam. However, ijtihad that contradicts the core tenets or goes against the teachings of the Prophet is classified as heretical.

What is the script’s conclusion on the unity of the Islamic community regarding different schools of thought?

The script concludes that the Islamic community, despite the existence of different schools of thought in both theology and jurisprudence, remains united in its adherence to the core principles of Islam. Differences in interpretation are permissible as long as they do not contradict the fundamentals of the faith.