Defining the Ash'ari School of Thought.

Al-Hawini: Question... We hear a lot about the Ash'aris, and we know nothing about them or their works except that they engage in figurative interpretation of the attributes only; so can you tell us more about them?

The Shaykh : The Ash'ari school is a school of thought in creed, as is the Maturidi school. These people share with the people of the Sunnah the belief in some of the attributes, unlike the Mu'tazilah. So they are with the Sunnah in some matters and with the Mu'tazilah in others. I advise students of knowledge not to strain themselves by learning the views that contradict the Sunnah, but rather I advise them to become acquainted with the Sunnah and the correct creed. After that, if the opportunity arises for them and they are able to know the schools that contradict the school of the people of the Sunnah and the Hadith, and if they can refute them and defend the school of the people of the Sunnah, then let them do so. Otherwise, it is sufficient for them to know the true school, and there is no blame on them after that if they do not become acquainted with what contradicts this school. And I want us to suffice with this amount for now so that we may take a break, if Allah wills.

The questioner : May Allah reward you with good.