Is it true that the majority of the Muslims in this day and age are all Ash’arees? Q&A with Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad

The Ash’arees are a group who ascribe themselves to Abul-Hasan al-Ash’aree whose full name was ‘Alee bin Ismaa’eel, may Allah have mercy upon him, who died in the year 330 A.H. In regards to his creed then he went through three stages: At first he was upon the way of the Mu’tazliah sect. Then after this he was caught between the Mu’tazilah and the way of the Sunnah. He affirmed some of the attributes (of Allah) and misinterpreted the rest. Then finally he followed the way of the first three generations of Muslims from this Ummah. He clarified this in his book entitled al-Ibaanah which is one of his last books or the last book that he wrote. He explained that he was upon the belief of the Imaam of Ahlu-Sunnah; Ahmad bin Hanbal, may Allah have mercy upon him, as well as the other people of the Sunnah. He affirmed everything that Allah affirmed for Himself and what His messenger, peace be upon him, affirmed from Allah’s names and attributes in the manner in which only befits Allah. This is without saying “How” or without comparing Him to His creation. And without distorting His names or misinterpreting them just as Allah the Mighty and Majestic says: {There is nothing like Him. He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.}

The Ash’arees today remain upon the way he was upon before he changed to the belief of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jama’aah. It is commonly held amongst some of the people today that the Ash’arees number 95% of the Muslims. This statement is incorrect from several angles:

Firstly in order for this percentage to be confirmed there must be a detailed census initiated and this has not been done. It is a claim based on mere allegations.

Secondly even if it was proved that they did in fact reach this number then being a majority does not indicate soundness and correctness of belief. Soundness and correctness of belief is obtained by following what the first three generations of Muslims from this Ummah were upon; following the companions and those who followed their way. It is not by following the belief of their companion who died in the fourth century and who recanted from his earlier beliefs and positions.

Thirdly the way of the Ash’arees it is believed in by those who teach it in their Islamic institutions or by their scholars who are upon this creed. As for the common ordinary people-they are the true majority-then they don’t know anything about the creed of the Ash’arees. They are upon the natural disposition (of Tawheed) that was proven within the belief of the teenage girl (who was asked where Allah is) in the narration relayed by Muslim in his Saheeh. The creed that should be applied and believed in is the natural disposition (of Tawheed) found in the creed of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jama’aah.

The Muhaddith (Hadeeth Scholar) of Madeenah, Shaykh ‘Abdul-Muhsin al-‘Abbaad 
Taken from his explanation of the Creed of Ibn Abee Zayd al-Qayrawaanee
called Qatf-ul-Janee ad-Daanee pages 33-34
Translated by Thomas Maldonado