Believers and Unbelievers

Towards a Better Understanding of the Dichotomization of Human Beings in the Maturidite Thoughts

Abstract

Islam asserts that all human beings are created by God and are dichotomized into believers, who are permitted to dwell in Paradise in the afterworld, and unbelievers, who will fall into the Fire. In order to make clear how the origin of this dichotomization is understood, the present paper reviews explanations by Maturidite theologians such as Abu al-Yusr al-Pazdawi (d. 1099), Abu al-Mu'in al-Nasafi (d. 1114) and al-Saffar al-Bukhari (d. 1139), focusing on the three stages of human existence: pre-existence, infancy and rational adulthood.
(1) For the stage of pre-existence, there are two explanations. Some argue that dichotomization occurs at this stage, on the basis of whether a person acknowledges the Lordship of God willingly or unwillingly. Others suggest that all human beings are born under the Lordship agreement, although it is assumed to be incomplete or involuntary.
(2) Infants, who are without any sin against God, are subject to obedience to God according to the covenant in pre-existence and are regarded as “provisional believers” who are able to enter into Paradise.
(3) It is incumbent on rational adults to recognize the presence of God through their own reasoning and meditation, no matter when and where they live. Based on this premise, the Maturidites assert that human beings may fall into being unbelievers when they fail to meditate on themselves and created beings and choose unbelief. In summary, the dichotomization in Maturidite thought originates from the covenant of the pre-existence, and is further clarified by decision making at the rational adult stage.