Rethinking The Universe;Abū Manṣūr Al-Māturīdī’s Challenge to Traditional Philosophy

Tahir Uluç’s study offers a fresh perspective on Abū Manṣūr al-Māturīdī, shedding light on his engagement with the origins of the universe and his contributions to debates that have often been eclipsed by the works of later figures like al-Ghazālī. This book highlights Māturīdī’s thoughtful critiques of philosophical doctrines, including atheistic pre-eternalism, Aristotelian hylomorphism, and Neoplatonic emanationist cosmologies. Uluç carefully examines these critiques within the framework of Māturīdī’s theistic and creationist worldview, showing how he addressed and challenged established philosophical concepts of his time. By situating Māturīdī’s contributions in the broader context of Islamic intellectual history, Uluç not only emphasizes the significance of his ideas but also encourages a reevaluation of his place in the tradition. This study provides an insightful resource for those interested in the intersection of Islamic theology and philosophy, particularly in debates on creation and the nature of existence.