MATURIDISM AND ASH‘ARISM AS FOUNDATIONAL TRADITIONS OF AHL AL-SUNNA WA’L-JAMA‘AH
Keywords:
: Maturidism; Ash‘arism; Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama‘ah; Sunni theology; kalām; creed; intellectual history; sanad; bid‘ah; orthodoxy.Abstract
This article examines Maturidism and Ash‘arism as classical Sunni theological traditions, demonstrating that these schools are not later sectarian innovations but systematic articulations of the original creed of Ahl al-Sunna wa’l-Jama‘ah. Through historical, textual, and methodological analysis, the study refutes contemporary claims that these schools represent later additions to Islam. It further clarifies common misconceptions surrounding the concept of bid‘ah by distinguishing between doctrinal innovation and necessary methodological tools developed to preserve Islamic teachings. The findings show that Maturidi and Ash‘ari methodologies provided essential intellectual frameworks that safeguarded orthodoxy against philosophical distortions and ensured the continuity of authentic belief.
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