Is everything in the Ash'ari school in accordance with the school of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah and the righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih)? And what is their true position on the allegorical interpretation (ta'wil) of the Names and Attributes, knowing that Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari lived his life as a Mu'tazili, then as a Mutakallim (theologian), and then Allah guided him to the school of Ahl al-Sunnah, but when we say "Ash'aris," are they only his followers who are upon the school of Ahl al-Sunnah?
Source: FtawySummarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Imam al-Ash'ari went through three stages in establishing his creed. Most of those affiliated with his madhhab agreed with him in the second stage, during which he was not upon the pure Sunnah. The Ash'aris differed from the methodology of the Pious Predecessors in many fundamental principles. They affirm seven attributes for Allah Almighty: Life, Knowledge, Power, Will, Hearing, Sight, and the inherent Speech (Kalam Nafsi), while they allegorically interpret (ta'wil) or entrust the meaning (tafwid) of other attributes.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
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