Questions: What is aqeedah? What does the aqeedah Maturidi and the aqeedah Ashari mean? Do we automatically follow one of these aqeedahs because we already follow the Hanafi Madhab, or not?
What are the biggest differences between the different aqeedahs? Is this something I should know, since there are already different groups within Islam, to distinguish myself from others?
I would appreciate your guidance.
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الحمد لله رب العالمين والصلاة والسلام على سيد المرسلين وعلى اله و اصحابه اجمعين
Answer:
The term Aqeedah is derived from the Arabic root word ‘Aqd’, which literally means a bond, knot, or firm tie. In technical terminology, Aqeedah refers to a belief that is firmly established in the heart and held with absolute certainty, free from doubt or hesitation. For instance, a Muslim’s belief in the absolute Oneness of Allah Almighty constitutes a fundamental Aqeedah.
(القواعد في العقائد)
Following the passing of the Noble Messenger of Allah ﷺ from this world, the Muslim community remained actively engaged in continuous struggle and effort for the preservation and propagation of Islam. As a result, the banner of Islam continued to rise, and large numbers of people entered the fold of Islam. However, alongside this widespread acceptance, the Muslim community was confronted with a number of intellectual challenges. Among these was the increasing engagement of philosophers with the Muslim world. These philosophers began directing their attention toward Islam and subsequently raised objections against Islamic teachings, and in some instances, even questioned the Divine Being of Allah Almighty.
In response to these intellectual challenges, Muslim scholars systematically developed a scholarly discipline known as Ilm al-Kalam. This field aimed to defend and articulate Islamic beliefs through rational argumentation grounded in revelation. Among the most prominent scholars associated with this discipline were Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash‘ari (may Allah have mercy on him) and Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (may Allah have mercy on him). These distinguished scholars reinforced and clarified the doctrines of Islamic belief in the light of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Over time, this body of scholarship came to be formally recognized as Ilm al-Kalam, and these two eminent personalities are regarded as its principal founders.
Although certain differences exist between the two Imams regarding some subsidiary theological issues, both hold the esteemed status of leading Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama‘ah. Adherence to the theological methodology of either Imam does not deviate a Muslim from the straight path.
This naturally raises the question of whether it is necessary for every Muslim to study Ilm al-Kalam. The answer is that such study is not obligatory for all. Engagement in this discipline is restricted to scholars who are “راسخ في العلوم”—that is, those who are deeply grounded and firmly established in the religious sciences and possess comprehensive expertise in Islamic knowledge. For the ordinary Muslim, it is sufficient to acquire essential religious knowledge and to adhere to the beliefs transmitted by the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah, as these beliefs represent a concise and authentic summary of the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. This approach serves as a safeguard for the common believer against deviation and misguidance.
If, however, an individual seeks to explore these complex theological discussions in greater depth, it becomes necessary for him to immerse himself thoroughly in the vast corpus of Islamic sciences. Only through such rigorous preparation can one extract intellectual benefit—much like retrieving pearls from the depths of an ocean—rather than falling into confusion or error, as occurred with certain philosophers.
It is worth noting that the majority of Hanafi scholars adhere to the theological positions of Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (may Allah have mercy on him) in matters of creed.
Ultimately, if the pursuit of such knowledge is driven by sincerity and scholarly rigor, then these subjects may indeed be studied with proper research and understanding. Otherwise, for the general Muslim, familiarity with the fundamental beliefs of Islam and knowledge of essential religious matters remains entirely sufficient.
And Allah Almighty knows best.
Answered by the Hafiz-e-Millat team
Verified by Maulana Naziem Qadri
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