What is the reality of the Hanbalis being called "Hashwiyyah," and what is the difference between them and the Maturidis?

The Hanbalis are the followers of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Describing them as "Hashwiyyah" is a term coined by the people of innovation (Ahl al-Bid'ah) and kalam (speculative theology) to refer to the followers of the methodology of the righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih). The origin of the word is disputed; it might mean that they are from the "common folk" (hashw al-nas), or that they adhere to the words of Allah and His Messenger without resorting to rational and philosophical rules. This description aims to alienate people from following them.

Ibn Taymiyyah refuted these accusations, explaining that the belief of the people of Hadith (Ahl al-Hadith) is pure Sunnah, and that anthropomorphism (tashbih) and corporealism (tajseem) are more prevalent among others than among the Hanbalis. He also clarified that the methodology of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah is an ancient methodology, predating the four Imams, and it is the methodology of the Companions.

As for the Maturidis, they diverged from the methodology of the righteous predecessors in several fundamental principles, including: prioritizing intellect over transmitted texts (naql), defining faith as mere assent (tasdeeq) only, differentiating between the wording of the Qur'an and its meaning, and their allegorical interpretation (ta'weel) of texts concerning faith and their nullification (ta'teel) of verses describing attributes, as they only affirmed eight attributes.