The Return of Imam al-Ash'ari from His School of Thought

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Is it true that Imam Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari returned from his school of thought? I hope for clarification on this.

Answer:
This is found in his book, in two books: *Al-Ibanah* (*Al-Ibanah 'an Ushul al-Din*), which is printed and in circulation, and in his book *Al-Maqalat* (*Al-Maqalat al-Islamiyyin wa Ikhtilaf al-Musallin*). When he mentioned the schools of thought, he stated explicitly: "And I hold to what Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal holds." He stated this explicitly; it is found in his book *Al-Ibanah* and in the book *Al-Maqalat*. They also said that he denied it in his letter to the people of the frontier, in a letter of his called *Risalat Ahl al-Thaghr*. This is found in his books; it is not merely reported from him, but the transmission is found in his books, which he wrote with his own hand. Yes. And these books are among the last things we have. Yes.