22-Reconciling Rationalism and Tradition - Al-Ash’ari

In the Golden Age of Islam, Rationalist Mu'tazilites and Traditionalist Hanbalis debated the proper direction of Islamic thought, theology and exploration.  The man who tried to bridge the gap, and whose name today is synonymous with Orthodox Sunni theology was Al-Ash'ari.  His answers to the tough questions of the nature of the universe, of the Qur'an and free will would come to be the definitive positions of Sunni Islamic doctrine until today.  In this episode, we look at the man, his task and his theology.