Humanistic View of the Divine Attributes: A Comparative Study of Abul Ḥasan Ash`arī and Ibn Taymiyyah

This article is responsible for comparing the views of Abul Ḥasan Ash'arī and Ibn Taymiyyah on the non-indicative and indicative attributes of God and their humanistic interpretation of them with a descriptive-analytical method. In the category of non-indicative attributes, Ibn Taymiyyah has often taken the approach of his predecessor, salaf, and related the subject to the same preferred way of the Sunnis, but Ash'arī has tried to prove those attributes. Despite the slight differences between them, they have reached similar conclusions, which is the introduction of God with human-like attributes. But on the subject of indicative attributes, there is not much difference between the two theologians. Because the thought of the two is basically the same and goes back to a single intellectual origin, that is the same as stopping in appearances, without any explanation. In fact, Ash'arī and Ibn Taymiyyah do not differ much in the field of theology and have practically failed to offer a coherent thought. Part of this lack goes back to the theological method of the two, who, by a superficial interpretation of the attributes of God, have practically introduced a humanistic deity. This article shows the aspects of their humanistic view of God and states that both of them have practically failed to introduce pure Islam to their followers.