Abu al-Hasan al-Ash'ari was an influential Islamic theologian born in 873 CE in Basra, Iraq. He is best known for founding the Ash'ari school of thought, which sought to reconcile Islamic theology with rational philosophy. Al-Ash'ari emphasized the importance of divine revelation and the limits of human reason in understanding faith. Throughout his life, al-Ash'ari engaged in debates with various philosophical and theological schools, particularly the Mu'tazilites. His works, such as "Al-Ibanah," laid the groundwork for Sunni orthodoxy and significantly shaped Islamic thought. Al-Ash'ari's ideas continue to influence Muslim scholars and theologians today.