Abu al-Hasan al-Ashari
- Author died
- 1418 AH
- Editions
- Islamic University of Madinah
Abu al-Hasan al-Ashari (Arabic: أبو الحسن الأشعري, also published as Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari wa-‘Aqidatuh) is a theological treatise by the scholar Hammad al-Ansari (d. 1418 AH / 1997 CE) examining the intellectual trajectory and creedal positions of Abu al-Hasan al-Ashari .
Background and Purpose
Al-Ansari, while serving as an instructor at the Faculty of Sharia at the Islamic University of Madinah, composed the work to address what he viewed as widespread ignorance regarding the true theological positions of Abu al-Hasan al-Ashari . He noted that while numerous Muslims throughout Islamic lands ascribe their creed to al-Ashari, many are unfamiliar with his biographical realities and the final theological stance upon which he settled and for which he became an exemplary authority . Drawing upon classical biographical and theological sources, the treatise sets out to establish al-Ashari's departure from Mu'tazilism, authenticate his authorship of Al-Ibanah 'an Usul al-Diyanah (The Clarification on the Foundations of the Creed), and present his final theological doctrine .
Structure and Arguments
The treatise is organized into four main thematic parts:
Biographical Overview
Al-Ansari opens with a biographical profile of al-Ashari, tracing his lineage back to the Companion Abu Musa al-Ashari and placing his birth in 260 AH . He outlines his studies in hadith in Baghdad and Basra under scholars such as Zakariyya ibn Yahya al-Saji, Abu Khalifah al-Jumahi, and Sahl ibn Sarh, and his study of dialectical theology (kalam) under his stepfather, the Mu'tazili leader Abu Ali al-Jubba'i . The author recounts al-Ashari's doubts regarding Mu'tazili doctrines, his dream instructing him to adhere to the Prophet's Sunnah, and his debate with al-Jubba'i concerning the fate of the three brothers, which underscored divine grace and will . He also records scholar appraisals, noting Ibn Furak's dating of al-Ashari's death to 324 AH and Taj al-Din al-Subki's statement that al-Ashari's creed was identical to that of Ahmad ibn Hanbal .
Recantation of Mu'tazilism
The author compiles historical documentation demonstrating al-Ashari's public renunciation of Mu'tazilism after spending forty years in that school . Drawing from Ibn Asakir's Tabyin Kadhib al-Muftari, he cites Abu Bakr Ibn Uzrah's account of al-Ashari secluding himself for fifteen days before ascending the minbar of the grand mosque in Basra on Friday, casting off his garment, and publicly declaring his repentance from Mu'tazili tenets such as the createdness of the Quran and the denial of the beatific vision . Al-Ansari cites Ibn Furak's report that this transition occurred in the year 300 AH, along with supporting statements from Ibn Khallikan, Ibn Kathir, Shams al-Din al-Dhahabi, Ibn Farhun, and Murtada al-Zabidi . Citing Ibn Kathir and al-Zabidi, he highlights the three intellectual stages attributed to al-Ashari: his Mu'tazili period, his intermediate phase affirming seven rational attributes while allegorically interpreting scriptural ones, and his final phase affirming all divine attributes without modality or anthropomorphism according to the way of the early generations (Salaf) .
Authenticity of Al-Ibanah
A central objective of the treatise is refuting claims that al-Ibanah was forged or interpolated . Al-Ansari presents citations and testimonies from classical scholars who attributed the work to al-Ashari as his final treatise, including:
- Abu Bakr al-Bayhaqi in Kitab al-I'tiqad, who quotes passages from al-Ibanah on the Quran being the uncreated speech of God .
- Ibn Dirbas in his epistle al-Dhabba 'an Abi al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, which documents multiple transmitted manuscript copies and notes that hadith scholar Abu Uthman al-Sabuni carried al-Ibanah into his teaching assemblies .
- Additional citations from Ibn Taymiyyah in al-Fatwa al-Hamawiyyah al-Kubra, Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyyah in his Nuniyyah, Ibn al-Imad al-Hanbali, and al-Zabidi .
Primary Text of the Creed
The book concludes by reproducing the introductory creedal chapter from al-Ibanah verbatim . In this quoted text, al-Ashari declares adherence to the Quran, the Sunnah, the consensus of the Companions and early generations, and explicit conformity with the doctrine of Ahmad ibn Hanbal . The excerpt details affirmations of God's attributes—including His transcendence above the Throne (istiwa), Face, Hands, and Eyes without modality (bila kayf), hearing, sight, and power—alongside assertions of divine predestination (qadar), the beatific vision in the afterlife, the ranks of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, and obedience to Muslim rulers while avoiding civil rebellion .
Publication History
The treatise appeared as an article in the Journal of the Islamic University of Madinah and was also printed separately in multiple editions . Notable printings include a third edition published by Mu'assasat al-Nur in Riyadh in 1390 AH, and an edition published in Cairo in 1395 AH under the title Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari wa-‘Aqidatuh .
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