Who was Abu Mansoor al-Maturudi? Did he belong to Ahlus Sunnah? And what is the opinion of leading Imams regarding him, especially Sheikh Ul Islam Ibn Taimiyah?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Az-Zirikli said in Al-A‘laam in regard to the biography of Abu Mansoor Al-Maatureedi: “Muhammad ibn Muhammaed ibn Mahmoud, Abu Mansoor Al-Maatureedi, among the Imaams of Kalaam (theology). He is traced back to Maatureed, a locality in Samarkand. Among his books are Kitaab At-Tawheed (manuscript), Awhaam Al-Mu‘tazilah, Ar-Radd ‘ala Al-Qaraamitah, Ma’aakhith Ash-Sharaa’i‘ (on the principles of Fiqh), Kitaab Al-Jadal, Ta’weelaat Al-Quran (manuscript), Ta‘weelaat Ahl As-Sunnah (whose first volume is printed), Sharh Al-Fiqh Al-Akbar Al-Mansoob lil-Imaam Abu Haneefah. He died in Samarkand in the year 300 A.H.” [End of quote]

Abu Mansoor Al-Maatureedi opposed Ahl As-Sunnah in many issues; for more benefit on the stance of Ahl As-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa‘ah with regard to the Maatureedis, please refer to Fatwa 10400.

Also, to learn the statements of Ibn Taymiyyah about his critique of the Ash‘aris and Maatureedis, and how he was not alone in his critique of them, please refer to Fatwa 16542.

Allaah Knows best.