AHADITH IN PRAISE OF THE ASH`ARIS THE PROPHETIC NARRATIONS IN PRAISE OF THE ASH`ARIS
The Prophet praised the Ash`aris in numerous narrations concerning which al-Qushayri said that they bore not only the external meaning of the tribe of the Companion Abu Musa al-Ash`ari, but also the additional meaning of the followers of his descendent Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`ari, meaning the Ash`ari school. Among these narrations:
- “O you who believe! Whoever among you turns back from his Religion, know that in his stead Allah will bring a people whom He loves and who love Him, humble toward believers, stern toward disbelievers, striving in the way of Allah, and fearing not the blame of any blamer. Such is the grace of Allah which He gives to whom He will. Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.”
(5:54) When Allah revealed this verse, the Prophet pointed to Abu Musa al-Ash`ari and said: “They are that man’s People.”[39]
[39] Narrated from `Iyad by Ibn Abi Shayba and al-Hakim who said it is sahEEh by Muslim’s criterion, and by al-Tabarani with a sound chain as stated by al-Haythami. [40] As quoted in al-Qurtubi’s Tafsir (verse 5:54). [41] As cited in Tabyin Kadhib al-Muftari and Tabaqat al-Shafi`iyya al-Kubra (3:362-363). [42] Hadith of the Prophet narrated from Anas ibn Malik with a sound (sahih) chain by Ahmad in his Musnad. [43] Hadith of the Prophet narrated from Abu Hurayra by Bukhari and Muslim in their Sahihs. [44] Hadith of the Prophet narrated from `Imran ibn Husayn by Bukhari in his Sahih. [45] Al-Subki, Tabaqat al-Shafi`iyya al-Kubra (3:364). [46] Hadith of the Prophet narrated from Abu Musa al-Ash`ari by Bukhari and Muslim. [47] Hadith of the Prophet narrated from Hasan al-Basri in the mode of mursal (missing the Companion link) by Ibn Shihab al-Zuhri in Ibn Sa`d’s Tabaqat. Among those who explained the Ash`aris mentioned in the hadith to include reference to latter-day Ash`aris are Imam Abu al-Qasim al-Qushayri, al-Subki, and Ibn `Asakir.
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