What do you say about someone who supports the Ash'ari theological school and claims it is the school of the Hanafis, Shafi'is, and Malikis?
The Ash'ari school of thought in creed is based on the views of Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari in his second phase, in which he agreed with Ibn Kullab. Al-Ash'ari later recanted many of those views and affirmed his creed, which conformed to the Ahl al-Hadith, in his books: Maqalat al-Islamiyyin, Al-Ibanah, and Risala ila Ahl al-Thaghr.
Much of what the Ash'aris hold today contradicts the Qur'an and Sunnah, the sayings of the Companions and the Tabi'in. They differ from the Salaf on major issues such as faith (Iman), divine decree (Qadar), the divine speech (Kalam), the divine highness (Uluw), and many of the attributes which they interpret metaphorically (ta'wil) or consign their meanings (tafwid).
The claim that Ash'arism is the madhhab of the Hanafis, Shafi'is, and Malikis is incorrect. Most Hanafis follow the Maturidi school, and those Shafi'is and Malikis who agree with the Ash'aris are their later adherents. Many of the early Ash'aris did not profess what their later adherents do.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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