from the doctrines of the Mu'tazilah to defending the doctrines of Ahl al-Sunnah wa-l-Jamā'ah through rational arguments, and wrote books on this subject.”

Ibn 'Asākir quoted passages from his writings.

[Al-Ash'arī’s words in al-Ibānah]

Among them is his statement:

“If someone says: ‘You have rejected the teachings of the Mu'tazilah, Qadariyyah, Jahmiyyah, Harūriyyah, Rāfidah, and Murji'ah. Tell us, then, what position you profess and what faith you follow.’

He should be told:

‘The position we profess and the faith we follow consist in holding fast to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Prophet—may Allah bless him and grant him peace—and what has been transmitted from the Companions, the Successors, and the leading scholars of hadith. We hold firmly to this and profess the position held by Ahmad ibn Hanbal—may Allah brighten his face, raise his rank, and grant him abundant reward—and as for those who oppose