/* */

PDA

View Full Version : [Sectarian Article] The Maturidiyyah



Ansar Al-'Adl
02-10-2005, 01:56 AM
Maturidiyyah


The Maturidiyyah are another sect named after Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi. Like some latter Ash`aris resorted to interpretation of some of the allegorical attributes, initially in an effort to curb the waves of anthropomorphism which were raging in their time. They based these interpretations on the Arabic language and the contexts of the verses. Anything whose interpretation was not abundantly clear to them (such as the Vision of Allah for the believers in the Hereafter), they deferred to Allah. Also, it should be noted that not all Ash`aris resorted to interpretation. It is important to make a distinction between the Ash`aris, on the one hand, and the Jahmiyyah and Mu`tazilah on the other. Many prominent scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah were Ash`aris, e.g. Qadi Abu Bakr al-Baqillani, Imam Yahya ibn Sharaf al-Nawawi, Imam Ibn Hajar al-`Asqalani. In fact, most Malikis, Shafi`is and Hanbalis have been Ash`ari in doctrine.


The Hanafis have been largely Maturidi, the ascription coming from Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, a prominent Sunni scholar who, like al-Ash`ari, set about formalizing the Islamic doctrine. Although both al-Ash`ari and al-Maturidi were Hanafi in jurisprudence, the latter was more affected by the doctrinal heritage of Imam Abu Hanifah. The differences between the Ash`aris and Maturidis are minor, numbering around a couple of dozen points, many of which are merely differences in terminology.


This is a philosophical (kalaami) group which is named after Abu Mansoor al-Maatreedi. It is based on using rational and philosophical proof and evidence in disputes with opponents from among the Mu’tazilah, Jahamiyyah and others to establish the truths of religion and Islamic ‘aqeedah (belief). With regard to sources, the Maatreediyyah divide the bases of religion into two categories depending on the source:*


1 – Divine or rational: these are matters which are established independently by reason and the reports follow that. This includes issues of Tawheed and the Divine attributes.*


2 – Legislative matters or transmitted reports, These are matters which reason states may or may not exist, but there is no way to prove rationally that they exist, such as Prophethood, the torment of the grave and issues of the Hereafter. It should be noted that some of them regarded Prophethood as coming under the heading of rational issues.*


It is obvious that this is contradictory to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, because the Qur’aan, Sunnah and consensus of the Sahaabah are the sources of guidance in their view. This is in addition to their bid’ah (innovation) of dividing the sources of religion into rational matters vs. transmitted reports, which was based on the false notion of the philosophers who assumed that the religious texts contradict reason, so they tried to mediate between reason and the transmitted reports. This led them to force reason into fields where it has no place, so they came up with false rulings which contradicted sharee’ah, and that led them to say that they did not know what the texts mean and that only Allaah knows their meaning, or to misinterpret them altogether. In the view of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, on the other hand, there is no contradiction between sound reason and the sound transmitted reports. [See al-Mawsoo’ah al-Muyassarah fi’l-Adyaan wa’l-Madhaahib al-Mu’aasirah, 1/99]


Attitude of Ahl al-Sunnah towards the Maatreediyyah*


It was narrated from the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that this ummah would split into seventy-three sects, all of which would be in the Fire apart from one. The Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained that the saved group is the Jamaa’ah, which is the group that follows the same path as the Messenger SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his Companions.*


Undoubtedly Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah, who adhere to the Qur’aan and Sunnah in terms of both knowledge and actions, are the saved group, and this description applies to them, i.e., they adhere to that which the Messenger SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his Companions adhered to in terms of knowledge and actions.*


It is not sufficient for an individual or group merely to claim to belong to the Sunnah whilst going against the methodology of the salaf, namely the Sahaabah and Taabi’een. Rather it is essential to adhere to their methodology in knowledge, action, approach and spiritual development.*


The Maatreediyyah are one of the groups whose opinions include true and false views, and some things that go against the Sunnah. It is known that these groups vary with regard to the truth, how near or far they are; the closer they are to the Sunnah, the closer they are to the truth and the right way. Among them are some who went against the Sunnah with regard to basic principles, and some who went against the Sunnah with regard to more subtle issues. There are some who refuted other groups who are farther away from the Sunnah, so they are to be praised with regard to their refutation of falsehood and what they have said of truth, but they have overstepped the mark in so far as they have rejected part of the truth and gone along with some falsehood. So they have refuted a serious bid’ah by means of a lesser bid’ah, and refuted falsehood with a lesser form of falsehood. This is the case with most of the philosophers (ahl al-kalaam) who claim to belong to Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa’ah…” (From the words of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah, al-Fataawa, 1/348).*


There remains one important question to be answered, which is: what is our duty towards the Maatreediyyah and groups who hold similar beliefs such as the Deobandis and others?*


The answer varies according to differences in the persons involved.*


If someone is stubborn and propagates his bid’ah, then we must warn others about him and explain where he has gone wrong and deviated. But if he does not propagate his bid’ah and it is clear from his words and actions that he is seeking the truth and striving for that purpose, then we should advise him and explain to him what is wrong with this belief, and guide him in a manner that is better; perhaps Allaah will bring him back to the truth. This advice is included in the words of the Prophet SAWS (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Religion is sincerity (or sincere advice).” We [the Sahabah] asked, “To whom?” He said, “To Allaah and His Book, and His Messenger, and to the leaders of the Muslims and their common folk.”* (Narrated by Muslim, 55).
Reply

Hey there! Looks like you're enjoying the discussion, but you're not signed up for an account.

When you create an account, you can participate in the discussions and share your thoughts. You also get notifications, here and via email, whenever new posts are made. And you can like posts and make new friends.
Sign Up

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 05-27-2007, 11:31 PM
  2. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 04-08-2005, 12:32 AM
  3. Replies: 1
    Last Post: 03-26-2005, 04:46 PM
  4. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-12-2005, 03:36 AM
  5. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 02-02-2005, 03:45 PM
British Wholesales - Certified Wholesale Linen & Towels | Holiday in the Maldives

IslamicBoard

Experience a richer experience on our mobile app!