3. He mentioned that differences in creed are narrow and that the people who claim that the Madhhab of AlAsha`irah is false should be asked to refer to the Fatwas of Ibn Taymiyah and read what Ibn Taymiyah wrote about Abu AlHasan AlAsh`ary so that we could perceive how ignorant those people are. (end of quote)
A: It should be said that many sects undoubtedly went astray due to the difference in creed, such as AlMu`tazilah, AlJahmiyyah, AlRafidah, AlQadariyyah, and others. Likewise, AlAsha`irah went astray regarding the issues in which they disagreed with the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and with the example of the elite of this Ummah; the Imams of guidance of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them), the Tabi`un (the generation after the Companions and the Prophet) who righteously followed them, and the guided Imams, in their Ta'wil (allegorical interpretation) of Allah's Names and Attributes in an incorrect manner. However, Abu AlHasan AlAsh`ary (may Allah be merciful with him) was not one of AlAsha`irah, even if they associated themselves with him. He gave up their Madhhab and embraced the Madhhab of AhlulSunnah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim main body). Thus, the Imams' praise of him is not praise of the Madhhab of AlAsha`irah
Besides, it is incorrect to charge whoever objects to AlAsha`irah, regarding what they opposed of the creed of AhlulSunnah, with ignorance, since the reality of ignorance is to fabricate (falsehood) against Allah (Exalted be He) without knowledge. Yet, the one who derives from the Qur'an and the Sunnah and from the established rules of the Shari`ah, following the path of the Salaf (righteous predecessors), and denouncing those who allegorically interpret the Names and Attributes of Allah in a mistaken way, should not be charged with ignorance.