Al-Ash'ari was a prominent Islamic theologian and philosopher who lived in the 9th and 10th centuries CE. He is best known for founding the Ash'ari school of thought, which sought to reconcile Islamic theology with rational philosophy. His work emphasized the importance of divine revelation while also acknowledging the role of reason in understanding faith. Born in Basra, Iraq, Al-Ash'ari initially followed the Mu'tazilite school but later rejected its principles. He argued that human reason is limited and that certain truths can only be known through God's revelation. His contributions significantly shaped Sunni Islamic thought and continue to influence theological discussions today.