MATURIDIYAH

a Muslim orthodox school of theology named after its founder Abu Mansur Muhammad al-Maturidi (d. 944). The Maturidiyah is similar in basic outlook to another orthodox school, that of al-Ash'ari (d. 935), the Ash'ariyah, that has received more attention and praise as the champion of the true faith. The Maturidiyah claims more popularity in the area known historically as Transoxania, where it was founded. The Maturidi school is characterized by its reliance on the Qur'an (Islamic scripture) without reasoning or free interpretation. Its members argued that since Muhammad himself had not used reason in this respect, it is an innovation (bid'ah) to do so, and every innovation is a heresy according to a well-known prophetic saying. The later Maturidiyah, however, acknowledged the possibility of fresh problems for which there was no precedent in either the Qur'an or Hadith (accounts of sayings of the Prophet Muhammad), and modified this rigid rule, allowing for rational inferences when necessary. The Maturidiyah entered the discussion of compulsion and free will, which was at its peak in theological circles at the time of its founding. They followed a doctrine similar to that of the Ash'ariyah, emphasizing the absolute omnipotence of God and at the same time allowing man a minimum of freedom to act so that he may be justly punished or rewarded. In the later stages of its development, however, the Maturidiyah took an independent course and stated unequivocally that man has the utmost freedom to act, a point of view derived directly from many verses in the Qur'an and the Hadith. The Maturidiyah differed also from the Ash'ariyah on the question of the assurance of salvation. They held that a Muslim who sincerely performed his religious duties as prescribed by God in the Qur'an, and as explained and taught by his prophet, is assured of a place in heaven. The Ash'ariyah maintained that one is not saved unless God wills him to be saved, and that no one knows whether he is a believer or not, for only God can make such a decision.