Do the Ash'aris fall under the designation "Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" when it is used in contrast to the Rafidah, and does this classification have a basis?

The well-known matters of dispute between the Sunnis and the Rafidah, such as the issue of the Caliphate, the Imamate, and the doctrine concerning the Companions, were not differed upon by the Ash'aris. Rather, they agreed with the truth and refuted the invalidators, which led to their being considered among the Ahl al-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah) in general, as opposed to the Rafidah.

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah clarified that the Ash'aris are the closest of the theological sects to the Sunnah, the Jama'ah, and the Hadith, and are considered part of them when compared to the Mu'tazilah and the Rafidah.

Furthermore, it is stated in "Al-Mawsu'ah al-Muyassarah" (The Simplified Encyclopedia) that the Ash'ari creed is attributed to the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in the general sense, in opposition to the Shi'ah, and they are praised for their defense of the Sunnah and the truth against the Batiniyyah, the Rafidah, and the philosophers.

Dr. Safar al-Hawali distinguishes between two meanings of the term "Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah": the general meaning, which is in opposition to the Shi'ah (and includes the Ash'aris), and the specific meaning, which is in opposition to the innovators and people of desires (and does not include the Ash'aris).