al-ashʿari: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowAcademic, Theological
Quick answer
What does “al-ashʿari” mean?
Referring to Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī, the founder of the Ashʿarī school of Islamic theology.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Referring to Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī, the founder of the Ashʿarī school of Islamic theology.
Pertaining to the dominant theological school in Sunni Islam, which seeks to reconcile reason with revelation and emphasizes God's absolute power and knowledge.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences; usage is identical in academic/theological contexts.
Connotations
Specialised theological term with no distinct regional connotations.
Frequency
Exclusively used in academic or religious studies; virtually never in general discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “al-ashʿari” in a Sentence
[the] Ashʿarī school of [theology/philosophy][adhere to/follow] Ashʿarī doctrineVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “al-ashʿari” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Ashʿarī perspective offers a nuanced view on divine attributes.
American English
- Ashʿarī theology became dominant in many parts of the Muslim world.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Central term in Islamic Studies, Religious Studies, and Theology departments.
Everyday
Never used.
Technical
Specific term within Islamic theology and philosophy.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “al-ashʿari”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “al-ashʿari”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “al-ashʿari”
- Misspelling: al-Ash'ari, al-Ashari. Incorrect pronunciation with a hard 'sh' or stress on the wrong syllable.
- Using it as a general adjective for anything Islamic.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī (873–935 CE) was a Muslim theologian who founded the Ashʿarī school, which became a cornerstone of Sunni orthodoxy.
A key idea is divine occasionalism, where God is the direct cause of every event and created things have no inherent causal power.
Yes, it remains highly influential, particularly in parts of the Arab world, North Africa, and Southeast Asia, and is taught in many traditional Islamic institutions.
Ashʿarī theology uses rational argument to defend tradition, while Atharī theology (often associated with Salafism) rejects theological reasoning (kalām) in favor of a literal reading of sacred texts.
Referring to Abū al-Ḥasan al-Ashʿarī, the founder of the Ashʿarī school of Islamic theology.
Al-ashʿari is usually academic, theological in register.
Al-ashʿari: in British English it is pronounced /ˌælæʃəˈriː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌælɑːʃəˈriː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Al-ASH-ari' - ASH as in the start of 'Ashari', the founder from the ASHes of theological debate between reason and revelation.
Conceptual Metaphor
SCHOOL OF THOUGHT IS A PATH (e.g., 'follow the Ashʿarī path').
Practice
Quiz
Al-Ashʿarī is primarily associated with which field?