Not declaring the Mu'tazilah and the Asha'irah disbelievers despite their denial of the attributes

Question:
The people of the Sunnah say that whoever denies the attributes of Allah is a disbeliever, and yet they do not declare the Mu'tazilah and the Asha'irah disbelievers. What is the reason for that? And what is the benefit of our saying

Answer:
Of what is correct, they do not declare them disbelievers absolutely. No, they declare their imams and scholars disbelievers, those who knew the truth but did not accept it; they declare them disbelievers. As for their followers, the taqlid (following a scholar without knowing his evidence) and the ta'wil (figurative interpretation) people, these are excused. They are not declared disbelievers because they follow by imitation, thinking their imams are right, and the falsity of what they are upon is not made clear to them. They followed them out of ignorance, so takfir (declaring someone a disbeliever) is excused for them, and it is said that this is misguidance and they are misguided, but they are excused by taqlid, ta'wil, and ignorance. As for their scholars and callers who knew the truth but denied it, these are declared disbelievers.