Is it true that all leaders of the conquests, such as Salah al-Din al-Ayyubi, Mehmed the Conqueror, and Omar al-Mukhtar, were Ash'aris, and that there were no Salafis among them?

Most of the Islamic conquests occurred before the emergence of Ash'ari, and subsequent conquests involved all Muslims of various schools of thought, without this being an indication of the correctness of a specific school. This demonstrates the unity of the Ummah in confronting external dangers. The innovator who strove or interpreted is excused and rewarded for his intention and effort for the religion. The Ahl al-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah) seek excuses for those from other sects who are renowned for their knowledge, righteousness, and jihad. Salafis, such as Ibn Qudamah, participated with Saladin, and Ibn Taymiyyah in the war against the Tatars. The criterion for the correctness of belief lies in its conformity with the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and the actions of the Companions, not in jihad, which any Muslim may undertake.