QUESTION:
A claim has been stated that the scholars of the Hanafi Madhab have wrongly interpreted the Aqeedah of Imam Abu Hanifah and that Maturidi’ism and Ashari’ism are Bid’ah. The correct interpretation and Minhaj of Hanafi theology is as espoused by Sheikh Ibn Abil Izz, a later Hanafi scholar, and this is what Hanafis of today should follow. Is it correct what he says? Please comment.
ANSWER:
The Imaams of Fiqh were either Maaturidiyya or Ashaa’ira in matters of Aqeedah.
Imaam ibn ‘Asaakir Rahimahullah writes in Tabyeenu Kidhbil Muftari on Pg.410: “The majority of the Ulama in all the lands followed the Ashaa’ira in matters pertaining to Aqeedah, and the A’immah of all the cities in all eras called towards it. All the Fuqahaa of the Hanafiyyah, Maalikiyyah and the Shaafi’iyyah were either in agreement with it, or attributed themselves to it, or were pleased with the praiseworthy effort of Imaam al-Ash`ari.”
Imaam Ibn us-Subki Rahimahullah writes in Tabaqaat: “Shaikhul Islam Izz ibn Abdis Salaam mentioned that the Shaafi’ees, Maalikis, Hanafis and the seniors of the Hanbalis were all unanimous upon the Aqeedah of Imaam al-Ash`ari.
Re: – The Aqeedah of the Ahlus Sunnah and a Refutation of the Madaalikah Pg.133
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: – 28 Safar 1444 / 14 September 2023
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
