12 Differences between the Maturidi & Ash’ari Creeds

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is taken from “The Disagreements between the Ash’ari and the Maturidi” by Imam Shams ad-Din Ahmad ibn Sulayman ibn Kamal Basha (r.a.).  Imam ibn Kamal (r.a.) was one of the great scholars and polymaths of the Ottoman Empire.  He was a contemporary of Imam Abu al-Fadhl ‘Abd ar-Rahman ibn Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad Jalal ad-Din as-Suyuthi (r.a.).  Both scholars became famous for their vast knowledge.  Comparisons were made between the knowledge and depth of both.  Most scholars concluded that both were nearly equal, with Imam as-Suyuthi (r.a.) having more mastery in the sciences of ahadits, and with Imam ibn Kamal (r.a.) having more mastery in the rational sciences. 

Imam ibn Kamal (r.a.) wrote that Imam Abu al-Hasan ‘Ali ibn Isma’il al-Ash’ari (r.a.) is the Imam of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah and at their forefront, followed by Imam Abu Manswur Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Maturidi (r.a.).  He also wrote that some of the shuyukh have mentioned that the companions of Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Idris ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) and his followers follow Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) in matters of doctrine and follow Imam ash-Shafi’i (r.a.) in matters of law.  The companions of Imam Abu Hanifah Nu’man ibn Tsabit (r.a.) follow Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) in doctrine and follow Imam Abu Hanifah (r.a.) in law. 

There is no contention between the two scholars and their followers except in twelve issues.  Shaykh Sa’id ‘Abd al-Lathif Fawdhah wrote in Sharh Risalah al-Ikhtilaf bayn al-Asha’irah wa al-Maturidiyyah, “It is not hidden to the reader that the scholars mentioned more than this number of issues over which there is disagreement.  It seems, however, that the author chose to limit them to this number due to their obvious nature.” 

Regarding the first, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that Takwin, Creation, is an Eternal Attribute that Subsists with Allah’s (s.w.t.) Being, as do all of His Attributes, and that it is distinct from that which is Brought into mukawwan, existence, and that it is linked with that which is Brought into existence in the world and every part of it from the time of its inception.  Just as Allah’s (s.w.t.) Will is Eternal and linked with that which is Willed at the time of its existence, so too is His Eternal Omnipotence linked with that which is Decreed. 

Shaykh Sa’id Fawdhah wrote, in Sharh Risalah al-Ikhtilaf, “In other words, Takwin is a Pre-Eternal Attribute that Subsists with Allah (s.w.t.), and has a contingently effective lineage with that which is Brought into existence at the time it is Brought into being.  For this reason, the scholars say that Takwin is different from that which is al-mukawwan, Brought into existence, because Takwin is a Pre-Eternal Attribute and that which is Brought into existence is contingent.  For this reason, the claim of some of the Rashawi that the Maturidiyyah agree with them that contingents subsist within Allah’s (s.w.t.) Entity is incorrect.  This is fallacious because according to the Maturidiyyah, Takwin is Pre-Eternal and not contingent.  It is not to be called an Attribute in an unrestricted manner; rather it is an Attribute from which actions issue forth.” 

Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that it is a contingent Attribute that does not subsist with Allah’s (s.w.t.) Being and according to him, it is from the Attributes of Action and not from the Eternal Attributes.  As he saw it, the Attributes of Action are all contingent, such as Takwin and Bringing into existence and the emergence of the world with the Statement, “Be.”  Therefore, according to Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.), Takwin is a description for the self-same effective linkage of power by taking note of its effect, whereas according to Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.), it is the Pre-Eternal Attribute from which the Creation and that which is brought into existence come. 

Regarding the second, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that the Speech of Allah (s.w.t.) is not heard. rather, what is heard is that which points to it.  Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that which is al-masmu’, heard, only applies to that which connects with the sense of hearing according to him that which connects with it are the sounds that point to the Pre-Eternal Attribute.  As for the actual Pre-Eternal Attribute, both Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) and Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) held that it has no connection with the senses and that the senses have no connection with it.  The disagreement is regarding whether a Pre-Eternal Attribute being heard or not.  For Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.), hearing is conditioned upon the connection of the senses, and for that reason he denied that Kalam Nafsi, Inner Speech, can be heard. 

Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that it is heard – as is well known in the story of Musa (a.s.).  Imam Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn al-Hasan ibn Furak ash-Shafi’i al-Answari al-Aswbahani (r.a.) said, “Two things are heard during the recitation of the reader: the voice of the reader and the Speech of Allah (s.w.t.).” 

Imam Abu Bakr ibn ath-Thayyib al-Baqillani (r.a.) said, “Allah’s (s.w.t.) Speech is not heard in the conventional sense, rather; it is possible for Allah (s.w.t.) to Allow any of His Creation that He Wills to hear it, contrary to customary means and contrary to it being with the medium of letters and sound.” 

Imam Abu Ishaq Ibrahim ibn Muhammad al-Isfarayini (r.a.) and those who follow him said, “Allah’s (s.w.t.) Speech is not heard at all.”  This was the chosen view of Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) as found in al-Bidayah al-Kalam. 

Regarding the third, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that the Creator of the universe is described with hikmah, wisdom, whether that wisdom takes the meaning of ‘ilm, knowledge, or the meaning of ihkam, perfection or mastery.  Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that Allah (s.w.t.) is described with wisdom and that wisdom is a description of Allah’s (s.w.t.) Entity.  This refers either to the knowledge of the precise or perfected actions, or it refers back to the Pre-Eternal Attribute of Takwin that Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) affirmed.  This means that mastery and precision are from the implications of Takwin. 

Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that if wisdom takes the meaning of knowledge then it is an Eternal Attribute that Subsists with Allah’s (s.w.t.) Entity, and if it takes the meaning of perfection or mastery, then it is a contingent quality akin to Takwin, and the Entity of the Creator is not described with it. 

Regarding the fourth, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that Allah (s.w.t.) Wills obedience or disobedience for all beings, be they essences or accidents, however; obedience occurs by Allah’s (s.w.t.) Will and Decree and His Pre-Ordainment and Predestination, Pleasure, Love and Command.  Disobedience occurs by Allah’s (s.w.t.) Will and Decree and His Predestination and Pre-Ordainment; not with His Pleasure, Love or Command.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that Allah’s (s.w.t.) Love and Pleasure are inclusive of all things just as His Will. 

Shaykh Sa‘id Fawdhah wrote, in Sharh Risalah al-Ikhtilaf, “As for Imam al-Ash’ari, the ustadz reported that he believed that Allah’s (s.wt.) Love is inclusive of every accident, be it an act of obedience or an act of disobedience.  This general statement suggests that Allah (s.wt.) Loves disobedience.  The correct view, however, is that this is not the doctrine of al-Ash’ari.  On the contrary, he said that Allah (s.wt.) Loves disobedience insomuch as He Punishes on account of it, just as He Loves obedience insomuch as He Rewards on account of it.  There is a distinction between this, and what Ustadz ibn Kamal Basha and others mentioned and ascribed to al-Ash’ari.”  The “ustadz” referred to here is Imam ibn Kamal Basha (r.a.). 

Regarding the fifth, according to Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.), being legally ordered with that in which there is no capacity to endure is impermissible, whereas being burdened with that which cannot be borne is permissible.  Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) distinguished between being legally ordered and being burdened.  According to Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) both are permissible. 

Regarding the sixth, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that some of the rulings that relate to taklif, legal responsibility, are known by the intellect, because the intellect is a tool by which the goodness and evil of some things can be comprehended, and it is a tool by which the obligation of faith is comprehended, as well as the obligation of gratitude to the Giver of Bounties.  The One Who Makes this known and obligatory is Allah (s.w.t.) however; it is through the medium of the intellect; just as the Messenger (s.a.w.) made the obligations known and the One Who Made things obligatory is, in reality, Allah (s.w.t.), but it was through the medium of the Messenger (s.a.w.).  Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said, “No one is excused by ignorance of his Creator, due to what he sees in Creation of the Heavens and Earth.”  He also said, “Had Allah (s.w.t.) not Sent a Messenger, still it would have been obligatory for Creation to know Him through their intellects.” 

Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that nothing is made an obligation or a prohibition except by the shari’ah, not the intellect, even if the intellect is able to comprehend the goodness and evil of some things.  According to Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.), all the rulings that relate to legal responsibility are taken from Revelation. 

Regarding the seventh, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that the wretched person could become felicitous, and the felicitous person could become wretched.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that there is no consideration given to either felicity or wretchedness except during the end, death, and the requital.  According to Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.), felicity is defined as Islam and wretchedness is defined as disbelief.  According to Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.), felicity is dying upon Islam and wretchedness is dying upon disbelief. 

Regarding the eighth, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that it is rationally impermissible for disbelief to be pardoned.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that it is rationally permissible but textually impermissible.  Imam al-Ash’ari’s (r.a.) view is based upon a rational judgement alone, whereas Imam al-Maturidi’s (r.a.) view is based on observation of Allah’s (s.w.t.) Will. 

Regarding the ninth, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said it is rationally and textually impermissible for the believers to abide eternally in the Hellfire and for the disbelievers to abide in Paradise.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that it is rationally permissible, but textually impermissible. 

Regarding the tenth, some of the Maturidiyyah say that al-ism wa al-musammah, the name and the thing named, are one.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) believed that there is a distinction between the two and tasmiyyah, the act of naming.  Some of them divided a name into three categories: itself, other than itself, and a third category that is neither itself nor other than itself.  There is agreement that tasmiyyah, the act of naming, is other than them, the name and the thing named, and it is what is established with the one named.  This is taken from Bidayah al-Kalam. 

Regarding the eleventh, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that being male is a condition for prophethood, and consequently, it is impermissible for a woman to be a prophetess.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that being male is not a condition for it, and that being female does not negate it.  This is taken from Bidayah al-Kalam. 

And regarding the last, Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) said that the action of the servant is called an acquisition and not creation, and that the Action of the Real is called Creation and not acquisition – and both are inclusive of action.  Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) said that “action” denotes a Real Bringing into existence and the acquisition of the servant is called “action” only figuratively.  It has been said, “That which is permissible for the All-Powerful to be singularly is called Creation, and that which is impermissible for the All-Powerful to be described with is acquisition.  The gist of this disagreement is that Imam al-Ash’ari (r.a.) held that the word “action” is literal when applied to Allah (s.w.t.) since He is the Doer, and is figurative when applied to the servant.  Imam al-Maturidi (r.a.) on the other hand, held that the word “action” is also literal when applied to the servants.