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What is the meaning of "Al-Ashʿari's earning" (كسب الأشعري), and does it conform to the doctrine of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The أهل السنة والجماعة (Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah) believe that Allah is the Creator of the servants' actions, and the servants are true doers of those actions through their capability and will, which Allah created in them. Therefore, they are recompensed for them.

On the other hand, the Ash'aris believe that the servant's capability has no effect on his action. This is what they termed "al-kasb" (acquisition), meaning that the servant is inwardly compelled but outwardly free to choose. Thus, Allah creates the action at the servant's capability, not by means of it. This view contradicts the position of Ahl al-Sunnah and is considered an annulment of the Sharia.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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