مسك بودكاست | أهل السنة والجماعة إما أشاعرة أو ماتريدية

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prophesied that his Ummah would divide into 73 sects, with only one being saved. This saved sect is those who follow the path of the Prophet and his companions, known as Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah. Many today attempt to challenge the authenticity of this Hadith, but it has been affirmed by prominent scholars. The saved sect represents the vast majority of Muslims, not a small group, while the 72 misguided sects are a minority.

After the Prophet's passing, various sects emerged, starting with individuals challenging the Prophet's judgments. During the time of Caliph Ali, the Khawarij (extremists) emerged, who deemed those committing major sins as disbelievers. Ahl al-Sunnah, however, assert that a Muslim who commits a sin does not become an infidel unless they deem the sin permissible. Other sects like the Rafidah, Mu'tazilah, and Jabriyyah also appeared, forming the 72 predicted sects.

The Ash'aris and Maturidis are integral parts of Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah. They emerged during a time when various deviant sects were spreading misconceptions. Imams Abu Mansur al-Maturidi and Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, both from the period of the righteous predecessors, rose to defend the true Islamic creed. They refuted the Khawarij and Mu'tazilah, emphasizing that Allah's will is absolute and that humans do not create their own actions. Al-Ash'ari, initially a Mu'tazili, later renounced their teachings after a prophetic dream, dedicating his life to refuting their errors. These two schools clarified and preserved the true creed of the Prophet and his companions using both textual and rational proofs.

Some individuals advocate for Muslims to abandon the teachings of the four Imams (Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi'i, Ahmad) and the Ash'aris/Maturidis, urging them to follow only the Quran and Sunnah directly. This approach is flawed because the Imams and the Ash'aris/Maturidis derived their teachings directly from the Quran and Sunnah. Many everyday rulings and interpretations require deep scholarly understanding that an ordinary person cannot attain. Attempting to interpret religious texts without proper knowledge leads to misinterpretations and deviations, as illustrated by erroneous interpretations of Quranic verses and Hadith. This attitude of rejecting established scholarship ultimately aims to dismantle the foundations of Islam.

The Ash'aris and Maturidis played a crucial role in clarifying concepts related to Allah's attributes, especially in response to the Mushabbihah (those who liken Allah to creation). They asserted that Allah is unlike His creation in any way, shape, or form. They explained that verses and Hadith that outwardly might suggest anthropomorphic attributes (like Allah being 'in the sky' or 'seated on the Throne') should not be taken literally, as this contradicts the foundational principle that 'there is nothing like Him'. They introduced 'Ta'wil' (allegorical interpretation) for such texts to prevent Tashbih (likening Allah to creation) and explained the true meanings that affirm Allah's transcendence. They are not 'Mu'attila' (those who negate Allah's attributes); rather, they affirm attributes in a way that befits Allah's majesty and without anthropomorphism.

Many renowned scholars throughout Islamic history were Ash'ari or Maturidi, including Imam Al-Bayhaqi, Imam Al-Nawawi, Ibn Hajar Al-Asqalani, Al-Ghazali, and Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi. Even Sultan Mehmet the Conqueror, praised by the Prophet, was a Maturidi in creed. This demonstrates that the Ash'ari and Maturidi schools represent the mainstream Sunni understanding of Islam. They were instrumental in defending the faith against various heresies and preserving the true Aqidah (creed) of the Prophet and his companions. The Prophet's prophecy about the people of Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (ancestor of Imam Al-Ash'ari) further attests to their importance.

Some groups actively fight against the Ash'aris because their rational and textual proofs expose the falsehood of their own doctrines, such as anthropomorphism. There is also a dangerous trend of ignorance regarding Islamic creed, exploited by enemies of Islam to mislead youth and sow discord. The speaker emphasizes that Islam is a religion of moderation, free from extremism (Ghuloo) and negligence (Tafrit). Exaggerated interpretations of religious texts can lead to dangerous outcomes, such as declaring Muslims as infidels, which can instigate violence and chaos. The true path is to follow the middle way, as taught by the Prophet, avoiding rigidity and leniency.

To remain steadfast on the correct path, individuals must seek authentic knowledge from qualified scholars who have a chain of transmission back to the Prophet (PBUH). Relying solely on self-study from books without guidance can lead to severe misunderstandings and errors. Learning from true teachers (Mashaykh) enables individuals to discern correct teachings from misguided ones. This commitment to traditional learning, even requiring significant sacrifice and effort, is the only way to safeguard one's faith and practice during these challenging times.