Story Of Imam Abul Hassan al-Ashari: Founder from Ashari Theological School.

 

Source: Tebuireng Online.

Today, we will discuss about Imam Abul Hassan al-Ashari, founder from Ashari Theological School. He is one Islamic Scholar who became one popular theological school at Islamic History, Ashari that is Islamic Theological School at Sunni Islam. Ok, please read this article until end and subscribe my blog for more informations about Islamic History and Civilization. Ok, lets start it.

Abul Hassan, born at Bashra, Iraq  at 873 AD, with original name Ali ibn Ismail al-Ashari. Ali ibn Ismail, is student from al-Jubbai, one scholar from Mutazila School. Mutazila School, is one popular Islamic Theological School at this time that prioritzing logica and philosophy. This school argue that Allah Subhanahuwataala dont has characters and Koran ( Islamic Holy Book) is creatures.  Ali ibn Ismail, at begin of his life, adherent Mutazila School. But, at Fiqh, Ali adherent Shafii School, one popular school at Fiqh that founded by Imam Shafii. And, at theology, Imam Shafii has different mind with Mutazila. It is make Ali leave School Of Mutazila. One story, that written by Harun Nasution, said one day, Ali dream he meet Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam said to Ali that School Of Mutazila is wrong and people who at correct way are Scholar Of Hadiths ( Islamic Oral Tradition from Propeth Muhammad Shallahu Alaihi Wasallam).  When at Mutazila, Ali is important figure. He is spokesman from this group. But, he start doubt truth of Mutazila School.

After think about truth from Mutazila School, Ali went to mosque and he  go on pulpit. At pulpit, he said he was out from School Of Mutazila. After this, Abul Hassan Ali found new school that basic on Hadiths  that named School Of Ashari. This school prioritzing Hadiths as his main teaching, not like Mutazila that prioritzing logica and philosophy.  After Abul Hassan leave Mutazila, Mutazila suffer his weakness. Many Mutazila  Scholars, such as Abu Isa al-Warraq and Abu al-Hussain Ahmad ibn ar-Rawandi. According Historian Philip.K.Hitti, ar-Rawandi is one Mutazila Scholars who considered as heretic at his age.  At this time, Imam Abul Hassan compile his new theology. Ashari Theology focuss at keep Hadiths as main refrences at religion. And, Abul Hassan write several books for spread his teaching. From his books are Kitab al-Luma fi al-Rad ala Ahl al-Ziagh wa al-Bida and al-Ibanah an Usul al Dianah. Abul Hassan argue that Allah seen at afterlife.  Abul Hassan also argue that Allah Subhanahuwataala has face,  hand, and eye, but it is dont have shape and we dont know how it. According Imam Abul Hassan, Muslims who make big fault still Muslim, but his fault make him as  Fasiq . Abul Hassan s minds spread by his followers, from them Ibn Mujahid and Abul Hassan al-Bahili. They have students named Muhammad ibn al-Tayyib ibn Muhammad Abu Bakr al-Baqilani.

Imam Abul Hassan al-Ashari die at Baghdad, Iraq, at 935 AD.  May Allah Subhanahuwataala bless him. And, his teaching spread by next scholars. Such as Imam  Abu Hamid al-Ghazali ( 1058-111 AD) who can sayed as one Ashari Theological big scholar. He spread Ashari Teaching and  ripen Ashari s concept. For biography of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali, we was discuss it and  you can open this article for complete explained:

Abu Hamid Al-Ghazali: Persian Sufism Scholar.

Refrences:

Nasution, Harun: Teologi Islam: Aliran aliran Sejarah Analisa Perbandingan, UI  Press, 1978 M.

Ansary, Tamim: Dari Puncak Bagdad:Sejarah Dunia Versi Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2017 M.

  Hitti, Philip.K: History Of The Arabs: Rujukan Induk dan Paling Otoritatif Tentang Sejarah Peradaban Islam, Penerbit Serambi, 2006 M.