Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ASH'ARIYYA AND THE WAHHABIS AKA PSEUDO-SALAFI DA'WAH REGARDING ALLAH'S ATTRIBUTES?

A: We start with the Name of Allah. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. To Allah belongs the endowments, befitting perfection, and commendations. We ask Allah to raise the rank of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, his Al (Family), and Sahabah (Companions), and to protect his nation from what he fears for it. Ameen. Thereafter:

To clarify, the Ash'ariyya and Maturidiyya are the true inheritors of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah with the only unbroken chains of transmission (sanad) back to the Salaf as-Saliheen. Now, they (Ash'ariyya and Maturidiyya) affirm (ithbaat) all of the Names (Asma') and Attributes (Sifat) of Allah ta'ala. The difference between the Ash'ariyya and Maturidiyya and the Wahhabis aka Pseudo-Salafi Da'wah is that they (Ash'ariyya and Maturidiyya) don't give Allah ta'ala's Attributes (Sifat) meanings (ma'na) that are specific or explicit to creation, nor do they attribute a kayf (how, howness or modality) to Allah ta'ala or His Attributes (Sifat).

For example, the methodology and belief of the Wahhabis aka Pseudo-Salafi Da'wah is to take Allah ta'ala's Attributes, such as Yad (Hand), Wajh (Face), 'Ayn (Eye), Saq (Shin), etc. by the literal or apparent meaning (ma'na dhahir). Let it be known that the literal or apparent meanings for all of those Attributes mentioned are: limb, organ, appendage, or body part. Those meanings are specific and explicit to creation and indicate a created thing, not the Creator. Notice: we said meanings (ma'na) because we affirm (ithbaat) the Attributes (Sifat), we just negate (nafy) those literal apparent unbefitting meanings to those Attributes.

Here is Fawzaan instructing people to take the literal and apparent meaning (ma'na dhahir) approach. In the Explanation of it-haaf al-Qaaree of Shaikh al-Fawzaan vol. 1, p. 277 onwards:

"The texts concerning the Attributes of Allah are firmly established, it is obligatory upon you to affirm them just as they are reported, upon their literal and apparent meanings (ma'na dhahir), without you imposing [or entering] your own intellect..."

Now, the methodology regarding taking those Attributes by the literal and apparent meaning (ma'na dhahir) that is used by the Wahhabis is not new; it's the same methodology used by the Mushabihah (those who like Allah ta'ala to His creation) and Mujassimah (those who attribute a body (jism) or body parts to Allah ta'ala) during the time of the Salaf, which was rejected by the Salaf as-Saliheen, and they (Salaf as-Saliheen) called that belief and methodology kufr (disbelief). Just go check the history and the methodology regarding those deviant sects.

In regards to "kayf or kayfiyyah" (how, howness, or modality), know without a doubt that Allah ta'ala, His Prophet ﷺ, and the Ulama al-Haqq never attributed kayf (how, howness, or modality) to Allah nor to His Attributes (Sifat). Kayf or kayfiyyah only refers and applies to created things according to the Arabic language, as well as all other languages. Therefore, kayf only applies to created things and not to Allah nor to His Attributes. To say we do not know the how (kayf) when referring to Allah ta'ala or His Attributes (Sifat) is to affirm a how (kayf) which is ilhad (blasphemy). This blasphemous belief is called takyeef, and the one who believes this is a mukayyifah.

In short, the Ash'ariyya and Maturidiyya affirm (ithbaat) all of Allah ta'ala's Attributes (Sifat). They just don't give the Attributes (Sifat) meanings (ma'na) that are specific or explicit to creation. To give Allah's Attributes meanings that are specific to creation is tashbeeh (anthropomorphism, likening Allah ta'ala to His creation), which is ilhad (blasphemy, belittling Allah). Know that NO Sifat (Attributes) or meanings that are specific to creation befit the majesty of Allah. Therefore, the statement "in a manner that befits or suits Allah ta'ala's majesty..." does not clear a person from committing takyeef, tashbeeh, and/or tajseem which are forms of kufr (disbelief).

Those people who claim to be Hanbali but refuse to affirm that Allah ta'ala is clear from meanings that are specific or explicit to the human or creation are NOT Hanbali and are NOT from Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah, as Imam Tahawi (d. 321 AH) said which means:

"Whoever describes Allah with a meaning (ma'na) from the meanings that apply to human beings (creation) has committed blasphemy."

To attribute to Allah a location, a direction, a limb, or an organ is a meaning from the meanings that apply to human beings (creation).

Be careful of the meanings (ma'na)you give to Allah ta'ala's Attributes (Sifat).

May Allah ta'ala guide us to the proper understanding of these matters. Ameen Allahumma Ameen.