Does the doctrine of the later Ash'aris conform to the doctrine of their earlier imams, such as Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari, or are there differences in methodology and principles, particularly concerning the number of attributes they affirm?

There is a disagreement between early and later Ash'aris concerning the khabariyyah (reported) attributes, which are additional to the seven or eight established attributes. The early Ash'aris affirm them, while the later ones interpret them allegorically (ta'wil) or consign their meaning to God (tafwid).

The khabariyyah attributes such as wrath (ghadab), pleasure (rida), face (wajh), two hands (yadayn), and istiwa' (God's establishment over the Throne) were affirmed by Ibn Kullab, Al-Harith Al-Muhasibi, Abu Al-Abbas Al-Qalanisi, Imam Al-Ash'ari and his early companions, Abu Bakr Ibn Furak, Al-Qushayri, and Al-Bayhaqi. This is the doctrine of the generality of those affiliated with the people of Sunnah and Hadith. Al-Ash'ari's own statement regarding the affirmation of these attributes did not differ; rather, he invalidated the interpretations that negated them.

As for Abu Al-Ma'ali Al-Juwayni and his followers, they deny these attributes, then they differed between ta'wil (allegorical interpretation) and tafwid (consigning the meaning to God).

Qadi Abu Bakr Al-Baqillani counted fifteen ancient attributes and named the attributes exceeding the eight as khabariyyah attributes. This is the doctrine of the imams of the people of Sunnah and Hadith.