BENEFIT 290: Exempting someone from takfīr based on ta'wīl does not imply that the same exemption applies when it comes to tabdi’

Sheikh Abu Bilal hafidahullah states: "Ahlus-Sunnah unanimously agree that ta’wil (misinterpretation) prevents takfir. However, Ahlus-Sunnah have declared tabdi’ on the Ash'aris and the Mu'tazilah, yet they did not declare takfīr on them, even though some of their statements are statements of Kufr. For instance, the Ash'aris denied the attributes of Allah, and this is considered Kufr in Allah. Similarly, the Mu'tazilah affirmed abstract names but denied the attributes, which is also considered Kufr, and they claimed the Qur'an was created, which is likewise Kufr in Allah. Despite this, Ahlus-Sunnah refrained from declaring takfir, only labelling them as innovators. This is because they saw them as potentially applying ta’wil in some matters, so they refrained from declaring them disbelievers. Many scholars from Ahlus-Sunnah refrained from takfir, though some did declare the Mu'tazilah and even the Ash'aris as disbelievers. However, the correct stance is that the Ash'aris are not disbelievers, and likewise the Mu'tazilah, due to their presence of ta’wil. However, they are certainly considered innovators. Abdulhadi narrates that a thousand scholars, or even two thousand, declared the Ash'aris to be innovators, and if he wished, he could cite the same from ten thousands or more. This is mentioned in his work "Ijtima' al-Juyush wal-Dasakir fi Ar-Radd ala ibn Asakir," where he refutes Ibn Asakir, who was influenced by the Ash'aris. He mentions that a thousand, or even two thousand, scholars, or even ten thousands, held the view that the Ash'aris are innovators. So how can they be considered part of Ahlus-Sunnah when thousands of scholars have declared them to be innovators? Abdulhadi, may Allāh have mercy on him, in his refutation of Ibn Asakir, declares that the Ash'aris are indeed innovators and not Ahlus-Sunnah..." ___ Related benefits ⤵️ https://t.me/almanhajussalafi/1038 https://t.me/AlHajoori/562