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Athari, in English, 'textualism', which is derived from the Arabic word athar, meaning "narrations". schools of Sunni Aqidah. Their disciples are called the Atharis. The Atharis are considered to be one of three accepted Sunni schools of Aqidah: Ashari, Maturidi, and Athari.
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The Athari methodology of textual interpretation is to avoid delving into extensive theological speculation. They believe in Allah and his characteristics in the fashion that they were mentioned in the Quran, the Sunnah and by the Sahabah. They do not attempt to further interpret the aforementioned texts by giving a literal meaning like the Ẓāhirīs nor through tahreef (distortion), ta‘weel (figurative interpretation), tamtheel (making a likeness), tashbeeh (resemblance), nor ta’teel (denial). They avoid entering into philosophical and rational discussions of matters relating to Islamic beliefs that are not supported by the Quran, the Sunnah or the understanding of the Sahabah with specific wording; rather, their discussion and presentation of beliefs revolves entirely around textual evidences found in these sources, without taking the path of the literalists either, the Ẓāhirīs. The Atharis believe this to be the methodology adhered to by the first three generations of Muslims (i.e. the Salaf), therefore making it the school of Sunni Aqidah that they believe is the closest to the truth.
Due to the emphasis of the Hanbali school of thought on textualism, Muslims who are Hanbali usually prefer the Athari in Aqidah. However atharis are not exclusively Hanbali, many muslims form the other four schools of thought, including Hanafis, adhere to the Athari school of Aqidah also.
Prominent figures
While there is no precise founder of this school of creed within Islam, Ahmad ibn Hanbal is often pointed to as an early champion of the Athari creed. This became a serious issue within the Muslim World during the Mu'tazili controversy over the belief of the Qur'an being created, rather than being the speech of Allah. Others are cited as earlier proponents, such as, Sufyan al-Thawri (d. 778) was a Follower from Kufa who held what would later become the Athari creed..[1]
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