Development of Muslim Theology: Appendix I: Illustrative Documents: III. A Short Creed by Al-Ash‘ari

This is a classical Islamic creedal statement (*aqida*) from the Hanbali tradition, presenting the doctrinal positions of the school founded by Ahmad ibn Hanbal and positioning itself explicitly against rationalist theological movements such as the Mu'tazilites and Jahmites. Its central argument is that correct belief consists in adhering strictly to the Qur'an, the Prophetic Sunna, and the transmitted reports of the early Companions, without introducing rational speculation or novel interpretations (*bid'a*). On theology proper, the text insists that God's attributes — hands, face, eyes, settlement upon the throne — must be affirmed as literally stated in scripture, "without asking how" (*bila kayfa*), rejecting allegorical reinterpretation while also refusing anthropomorphic speculation. The creed upholds hard predestinarianism: human works are created and decreed by God, unbelievers are in unbelief because God wills it and has sealed their hearts, and even the guidance of the faithful is God's unilateral act. Politically, it endorses the Sunni succession — Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali — condemns armed rebellion against Muslim rulers even unjust ones, and affirms the eschatological apparatus of intercession, the grave's punishment, the Bridge, the Balance, and the beatific vision of God on Judgment Day. Readers interested in medieval Sunni orthodoxy, the polemics against Mu'tazilite theology, or the doctrinal foundations of the Hanbali school will find this a compact and representative primary source.

Development of Muslim Theology: Appendix I: Illustrative Documents: III. A Short Creed by Al-Ash‘ari

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