Theological Schools in Islam

Islamic theology is a complex and diverse field, with various schools of thought emerging over the centuries. The main theological schools in Islam are the Mu'tazili, Ash'ari, Maturidi, and Athari schools.[1]

Mu'tazili School

The Mu'tazili school is one of the earliest systematic schools of Islamic theology, emerging in the mid-8th century CE.[2] Mu'tazili theologians emphasized the use of reason and rational thought, positing that the injunctions of God are accessible through rational thought and inquiry.[3] They also affirmed that the Quran was created (makhlūq) rather than co-eternal with God.[4]

Ash'ari School

The Ash'ari school developed as a response to the Mu'tazila, founded by Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī in the 10th century CE.[5] Ash'ari theologians still taught the use of reason in understanding the Quran but denied the possibility of deducing moral truths by reasoning.[6] They established a middle way between the doctrines of the Aṯharī and Muʿtazila schools.[7]

Maturidi School

The Maturidi school was founded by Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī in the 10th century CE and is the most popular theological school amongst Muslims, especially in the areas formerly controlled by the Ottomans and the Mughals.[8] Maturidis say that the unaided human mind is able to find out that some of the more major sins such as alcohol or murder are evil without the help of revelation.[9]

Athari School

The Athari school is a movement of Islamic scholars who reject rationalistic Islamic theology (kalam) in favor of strict textualism in interpreting the Quran.[10] Atharis engage in an amodal reading of the Quran, as opposed to one engaged in ta'wil (metaphorical interpretation).[11]

Jurisprudence Schools in Islam

Islamic jurisprudence, or fiqh, is the understanding and interpretation of Islamic law, as derived from the Quran and the Hadith.[12] There are several schools of Islamic jurisprudence, known as madhhab.

Sunni Schools of Jurisprudence

The four main Sunni schools of jurisprudence are the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools.[13] These schools differ in their methodology and interpretation of Islamic law.

Hanafi School

The Hanafi school was founded by Abū Ḥanīfa al-Nuʿmān in the 8th century CE and is one of the most widely followed schools of Islamic jurisprudence.[14]

Maliki School

The Maliki school was founded by Mālik ibn Anas in the 8th century CE and is predominantly followed in North Africa.[15]

Shafi'i School

The Shafi'i school was founded by Muḥammad ibn Idrīs al-Shāfiʿī in the 8th century CE and is followed in various parts of the world, including Egypt, Syria, and Indonesia.[16]

Hanbali School

The Hanbali school was founded by Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal in the 9th century CE and is known for its strict and literal interpretation of Islamic law.[17]

Shia Schools of Jurisprudence

The main Shia school of jurisprudence is the Ja'fari school, named after Ja'far al-Ṣādiq, the sixth Shia Imam.[18] The Ja'fari school is further divided into two branches: the Usuli school and the Akhbari school.

The main theological schools in Islam are the Mu'tazili, Ash'ari, Maturidi, and Athari schools, while the main jurisprudence schools are the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali schools for Sunnis, and the Ja'fari school for Shias.