Who are the Ash'aris, and are they considered among the Ahl al-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah), and is it true that many scholars, such as Imam al-Nawawi, follow the Ash'ari methodology?

Summary of the Answer:

The Ash'aris are a sect that traces its origins to Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, who went through several phases. He began as a Mu'tazili, then followed the school of Ibn Kullab. Scholars differ regarding his complete return to the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah (the People of the Sunnah). Some believe that he fully conformed to Ahl al-Sunnah in his later life, citing his book Al-Ibanah as evidence. Others maintain that he did not completely abandon the Kullabiyyah, but rather some remnants of it remained with him.

The later Ash'aris contradicted al-Ash'ari himself in many of his statements and mixed their school with the principles of the Jahmiyyah, the Mu'tazilah, and the philosophers. They denied attributes such as highness (uluw), ascending (istiwa'), and speech (kalam).

The title "Ahl al-Sunnah" is used in two senses: The first includes those who oppose the Rawafid (Shi'a), and this includes the Ash'aris and others. The second refers to those who followed the correct creed of the Salaf (early generations) and the Ahl al-Hadith (People of Hadith), and this does not include the Ash'aris or others who mixed their theological principles with innovative ones. They are determinists (Jabariyyah) concerning destiny, Murji'ah concerning faith, and negators (Mu'attilah) concerning attributes.

It is only correct to attribute someone to the Ash'ari school if they adhere to its methodology in creed. One who agrees with them on some issues but not others is not to be attributed to them.