Full Article: PDF
Scientific Object Identifier: http://s-o-i.org/1.1/TAS-06-158-17
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.15863/TAS.2026.06.158.17
Language: English
Citation: Palvanov, O.B., & Saminоv, M.R. (2026). Lexical and terminological analysis of the concept of “istiwa”: approaches of the Maturidi and Ash’ari schools of Kalam. ISJ Theoretical & Applied Science, 06 (158), 281-285. Soi: https://s-o-i.org/1.1/TAS-06-158-17 Doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.15863/TAS.2026.06.158.17 |
Pages: 281-285
Published: 30.06.2026
Abstract: The perspectives of the Maturidi and Ash’ari schools regarding the concept of istiwa’ constitute the core methodology for interpreting anthropomorphic or ambiguous (mutashabih) texts, which serve as a fundamental basis of Islamic creed (‘aqidah). Imam al-Ash’ari’s position of isbat bi-la kayf (affirmation without specifying modality) in his work Al-Ibanah and Imam al-Maturidi’s rational-logical argumentation in Kitab al-Tawhid exhibit a profound conceptual harmony. The divergences between the two schools are not of a fundamental nature but rather consist of methodological nuances in applying the methods of ta’wil (metaphorical interpretation) and tafwid (relegation of meaning to God). These linguistic foundations are comprehensively validated from a lexical-semantic perspective through Raghib al-Isfahani’s analysis in Al-Mufradat concerning the syntactic patterns of the verb istiwa’ when suffixed with the prepositions ‘ala and ila. This moderate and systematic approach of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jama‘ah is directed toward defending the pristine, scholarly creed concerning the Essence and Attributes of Allah, while establishing the invalidity of the doctrines held by the anthropomorphic (mushabbihah, mujassimah, karramiyyah) and anti-anthropomorphic (mu‘tazilah) sects. All methodological measures, intellectual proofs, and scholarly interpretations advanced by these two schools strictly rely upon the absolute principle of tanzih (transcendence) encapsulated in verse 11 of Surah ash-Shura.
Key words: maturidiyyah, ash’ariyyah, istiwa, ta’wil, tafwid, tanzih, mutashabih verses.
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