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WHO ARE THE AHL AS-SUNNAH
WA'L JAMA'AH?
by Sayf ad-Din Ahmad
Many people today like to classify themselves as belonging
to the Saved Sect (Firqatun-Najiyyah) - Ahl as-Sunnah Wa'l Jama'ah;
but do these people really know which is the Saved Sect, from the many
sects we have today? The following is an attempt to clarify some misconceptions
by way of definitive proofs from the Qur'an and Sunnah, as well as quotes
from the profoundly learned Classical Scholars of Islam. Know that there
is only one Saved Sect in Islam, and this is the original pristine form
of Islam that has been transmitted to us by Allah Subhana Wa Ta'ala
in his Qur'an, his Rasul (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim), the blessed
Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) and the great scholars
of Islam (Allah's mercy be upon them all) who have been following their
Straight Path for more than one thousand years of Islam's history.
The first question that should be raised is: "What differentiates one
sect from another sect?" The answer to this is simple and definitive! Know
that the chief characteristic that distinguishes one sect from another,
lies not in the differences of opinion that its scholars have attained
by making Ijtihad from the sources of the Shari'ah (this
leads to the formation of the Madhhabs), but rather the actual belief
(Aqeedah or I'tiqad in Arabic) that the scholars and laity
of the sect in question are clinging onto - since the founding of their
respective sect.
According to the unknown author of the book Belief and Islam
(pp. 78-9), the faith of the People of the Sunnah and Jama'ah was
spread as follows: "Nowadays, some mouths frequently use the name of "Salafiyya".
Every Muslim should know very well that in Islam there is nothing in the
name of the Madhhab of Salafiyya but there is the Madhhab
of the Salaf as-salihin who were the Muslims of the first two Islamic
centuries (i.e; the Companions, their successors and the followers of the
successors) which were lauded in a Hadith sharif. The ulama of Islam
who came in the third and fourth centuries are called Khalaf as-sadiqin.
The i'tiqad (belief) of these honourable people is called the Madhhab
of Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah. This is the Madhhab of Faith,
tenets of faith. The beliefs held by the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with
them all) and by the Tabi'un (Allah's mercy be upon them all) was
the same. There was no difference between their beliefs. Today most Muslims
in the world are in the Madhhab of Ahl as-Sunnah (i.e; most
Muslim's claim to be Sunni's). All the seventy-two heretical groups (see
later for the actual Hadith and its commentary) of bid'ah appeared
(mainly) after the second century of Islam. Founders of some of them lived
earlier, but it was after the Tabi'un that their books were written,
and that they appeared in groups and defied the Ahl as-Sunnah.
Rasulullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) brought the beliefs of
Ahl
as-Sunnah. The Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them all) derived
these teachings of Faith from the source (the Qur'an and Sunnah). And the
Tabi'un
(successors), in their turn, learned these teachings from the Sahaba .
And from them their successors learned, thus the teachings of Ahl as-Sunnah
reached us by way of transmission and tawatur (through many undeniable
chains of transmission). These teachings cannot be explored by way of reasoning.
Intellect cannot change them and will only help understand them. That is,
intellect is necessary for understanding them, for realizing that they
are right and for knowing their value. All the scholars of Hadith held
the beliefs of the Ahl as-Sunnah. The Imams of the four Madhhabs
in deeds, too, were in this Madhhab. Also, al-Maturidi and al-Ashari
(Allah's mercy be upon them), the two Imam's of our Madhhab in beliefs,
were in the Madhhab of the Ahl as-Sunnah. Both of these Imams
promulgated this Madhhab. They always defended this Madhhab
against heretics and materialists, who had been stuck in the bogs of ancient
Greek philosophy. Though they were contemporaries, they lived in different
places and the ways of thinking and behaving of the offenders they had
met were different, so the methods of defence used and the answers given
by these two great scholars of Ahl as-Sunnah were different. But
this does not mean that they belonged to different Madhhabs (rather
they were both from the Ahl as-Sunnah). Hundreds of thousands of
profoundly learned ulama and awliya (friends of Allah) coming after
these two exalted Imams studied their books and stated in consensus that
they both belonged to the Madhhab of the Ahl as- Sunnah.
The scholars of the Ahl as-Sunnah took the evidential source
language (nass from Qur'an and Sunnah) with their outward meanings.
That is, they gave the verses and Hadiths their outward meanings, and did
not explain away (ta'wil) the nass or change these meanings
unless there was a darura (necessity) to do so. And they never made any
changes with their personal knowledge or opinions. But those who belonged
to heretical groups and the la-Madhhabi (those who do not belong
to one of the four Madhhabs) did not hesitate to change the teachings
of Faith and Ibadat (worship) as they had learned from (the books of) Greek
philosophers and from sham scientists, who were Islam's adversaries."
What is Ahl as Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah according to Classical
Scholars
Let us now see what the definition of Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah
was according to the classical scholars of this aided, Victorious sect
(Tai'fatul-Mansoorah) of Islam.
Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad ibn Hajar al-Haytami (d. 974/1567;
R. A.)
Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haytami defined the Sunni Muslims as follows in his
book Fath al-jawad: "A Mubtadi (innovator) is the person
who does not have the faith (Aqeedah) conveyed unanimously by the
Ahl
as-Sunnah. This unanimity was transmitted by the two great Imam's Abu'l
Hasan al-Ashari (d.324/936; Rahimahullah) and Abu Mansur al- Maturidi (d.333/944;
Rahimahullah) and the scholars who followed their path." Hafiz Ibn Hajar
al-Haytami also said in his book al- Fatawa al-Hadithiyya (pg. 205):
"Man of bid'ah means one whose beliefs are different from the Ahl
as-Sunnah faith. The Ahl as- Sunnah faith, is the faith of Abu'l
Hasan al-Ashari, Abu Mansur al- Maturidi and those who followed them. One
who brings forth something which is not approved by Islam becomes a man
of bid'ah."
Imam Ahmad Shihab ad-Din al Qalyubi (d.1069/1659;
R. A.)
Imam al-Qalyubi wrote on the fourth volume of his marginalia to the book
Kanz ar-raghibin: "One who departs from what Abu'l Hasan al-Ashari and
Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (Allah's mercy be upon them) reported is not a Sunni.
These two Imam's followed the footprints of Rasulullah (Peace be upon him)
and his Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them all)."
Imam Abdullah ibn Alawi al-Haddad (d. 1132 AH; Rahimahullah),
Imam al-Haddad stated in The Book of Assistance (pg. 40): "You must correct
and protect your beliefs and conform to the pattern of the party of salvation,
who are those known from among the other Islamic factions as the "People
of the Sunnah and Jama'ah" (Ahl as- Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah).
They are those who firmly adhere to the way of the Messenger of Allah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim), and of his Companions (may Allah be pleased
with them all).
If you look with a sound understanding into those passages relating
to the sciences of faith in the Book (Qur'an), the Sunnah, and the saying
of the virtuous predecessors, whether they be Companions or followers,
you will know for certain that the truth is with the party called the Ashari
(NB-the Maturidi's are also upon the truth), named after the Shaykh Abu'l
Hasan al-Ashari, may Allah have mercy on him, who systematized the foundations
of the creed of the people of the truth, and recorded its earliest versions,
these being the beliefs with the Companions and the best among the followers
agreed upon."
Imam Abdal Ghani an-Nablusi (d. 1143/1733; Rahimahullah)
Imam an-Nablusi stated in his book al-Hadiqat an-Nadiyya (vol. 2,
pg. 103): "Jama'ah is rahma, that is, the union of Muslims on truth
brings Allahu ta'ala's Compassion. Division is adhab, that is, separation
from the Community of Muslims brings about punishment from Allahu ta'ala.
Hence, it is necessary for every Muslim to unite with those who are on
the right path. He must join and believe like them even if they are only
a small group. The right path is the path of as-Sahaba . Those who follow
this path are called Ahl as- Sunnah Wa'l Jama'ah. It should not
confuse us that many heretical groups appeared after the time of as-Sahaba
. Al-Imam al- Bayhaqi (d. 458/1066; Rahimahullah) said, 'When Muslims go
astray, you should follow the right path of those who came before them!
You should not give up that path even if you are left alone on the path!'
Najm ad-Din al-Ghazzi (d. 1061/1651; Rahimahullah)
He wrote: 'Ahl as-Sunnah Wa'l Jama'ah are those ulama who
keep on the right path of Rasullullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim)
and as-Sahaba . As-Sawad al-Azam, that is, the majority of Islamic
scholars, have followed this right path. The Firqatun-Naajiyyah which
was defined to be the group of salvation among the seventy three groups
is this true Jama'ah.' The Qur'an declares, 'Do not disunite!' This
verse means 'Do not disunite in I'tiqad, in the teachings of beliefs!'
Most ulama, for example, Abdullah ibn Masood (may Allah be pleased
with him), interpreted this verse as above and said that it meant, 'Do
not deviate from the right path by following your desires and corrupt ideas.'
This verse does not mean that there should be no disagreement in the knowledge
of Fiqh. It forbids separation which causes discord and dissension
in the knowledge of I'tiqad (see Imam al-Qurtubi's opinion later).
The disagreement in the knowledge (of Fiqh) derived through Ijtihad
in the field of practices (Amal) is not a discord, because such
disagreement has brought to sight the rights, the fards and the subtle
teachings in Amal and 'Worship (worship). As-Sahaba (Allah be pleased
with them all), too, differed from one another in those teachings that
explained the daily life, but there was no disagreement among them in the
knowledge of I'tiqad."
Allamah Sayyid Ahmad at-Tahtawi (d. 1231/1816; Rahimahullah)
Allamah Sayyid Ahmad at-Tahtawi, a great Hanafi Fiqh scholar of
Egypt, wrote on the subject of 'Zabayih' in his Hashiya al-Durr al-
Mukhtar:
"According to the majority of scholars of Tafsir, the
verse, 'They parted into groups in the religion,' referred to the people
of bid'ahwho would arise in this Ummah. In a Hadith reported by
Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), Rasulullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) said to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), 'The verse about
the partitions into groups in the religion refers to the people of bid'ah
and to the followers of their nafs who would arise in this Ummah.' Allah
declared in the 153rd verse of Surah Al-An'am, 'This is My Straight
path, so follow it! Follow not other ways, lest you be parted from His
way!'
(that is, Jews, Christians, and other heretics departed from
the right path; you should not part like them!). In the 103rd verse of
Surah Al-Imran, Allah declares, 'And hold fast, all of you together, to
the rope of Allah, and do not separate!' (see later for a brief commentary).
Some scholars of Tafsir said that Allah's rope meant Jama'ah, unity.
The command, 'Do not separate', shows that it is so and the Jama'ah
are the possessors of Fiqh and Ilm (knowledge).
One who descents from Fuqaha (scholars of Fiqh) as much
as a span falls into heresy, becomes deprived of Allah's help and deserves
Hell, because the Fuqaha have been on the right path and have held
on to the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) and on
to the path of al- Khulafa ar-Rashideen, the Four Khaliphs (may
Allah be pleased with them).
As-Sawad al-Azam, that is, the majority of the Muslims, are
on the path of Fuqaha. Those who depart from their path will burn
in the fire of Hell. O believers! Follow the unique group which is protected
against Hell! And this group is the one that is called Ahl as-Sunnah
Wa'l Jama'ah. For, Allah's help, protection and guidance are for the
followers of this group, and His wrath and punishment are for those who
dissent from this group. Today, this group of salvation comes together
in the Four Madhhabs, namely the Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, and Hanbali."
It is very important to have unity in the Ummah, and to achieve this goal
of unity it is incumbent that the whole Ummah has the correct and preserved
Aqeedah
of the Salaf as-salihin (may Allah be pleased with them all); since
Allah will no doubt ask us about our Aqeedah if it is not in conformity
with the divine revelation and what his Messenger (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) transmitted to us. The way of the Salaf as-salihin is the
way of the saved sect of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah. And we should
all know that the Jama'ah is the sect which has the most correct and united
Aqeedah out of all other Jama'ahs. To know what is the real Jama'ah, one
must look into the Qur'an and Hadith for evidence. If one was to look deeply
in to this matter with an open and scholarly mind, one will come to the
conclusion that this great Jama'ah is the one which is composed of the
foremost scholars of Qur'anic commentary, Hadith, Fiqh and other Islamic
sciences; it is no doubt the Jama'ah which has had the greatest following
throughout Islamic history in terms of scholars and laity, and this alone
is the main body of Islam which represents the views of the great mass
of believers (as-Sawad al-Azam) as we shall see from the Hadith evidence
below. Let us now see what Allah ta'ala has said about unity and schism
in the Holy Qur'an.
QUR'ANIC EVIDENCE
(1) Surah al-Imran (3:103):
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the rope of Allah
and be not divided."
Imam Sayf ad-Din al-Amidi (d. 631/1233; Rahimahullah) said in his al-Ihkam<
fi usul al-ahkam (The proficiency: on the fundamentals of legal rulings,
pg. 295) with regard to the above Qur'anic verse: "Allah has forbidden
separation, and disagreement with consensus ('Ijma') is separation." Hence,
if Allah has forbidden separation then surely we must all unite on the
unanimously accepted Aqeedah of our pious predecessors. And I have already
quoted Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-Haytami (Rahimahullah) as saying: "This unanimity
(in aqeedah) was transmitted by the two great Imam's Abu'l Hasan al-Ashari
and Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (Allah's mercy be upon them) and the scholars
who followed their path."
Mahmoud Ayoub wrote in The Qur'an and Its Interpreters (vol. II,
275-6): "Ibn Kathir (d. 774/1373; Rahimahullah) interprets the 'rope of
God' in verse 103 as 'The covenant of God,' citing in support of this interpretation
verse 112 below (in Surah al-Imran). Another view, he adds, is that 'The
rope of God' here refers to the Qur'an, as reported on the authority of
Ali (Allah be pleased with him) who said that 'The Qur'an is God's strong
rope and the straight way.' He cites another Hadith, on the authority of
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him), where the Prophet (Peace
be upon him) declared, 'The book of God is God's rope stretched from heaven
to earth.' Abd Allah ibn Mas'ud (Allah be pleased with him) reported -that
the Messenger of God (Peace be upon him) said, 'Surely this Qur'an is God's
strong rope, manifest light, and beneficial source of healing. It is protection
for those who hold fast to it, and a means of salvation for those who abide
by it.'
Ibn Kathir interprets the injunction, 'and do not be divided' to
mean strict adherence to unity among Muslims. He reports on the authority
of Abu Hurayrah (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) said, 'God will be pleased with three acts from you, and wrathful
with three others. He wishes that you worship Him alone without associating
any thing with Him; that you hold fast all together to the rope of God
and be not divided; and that you show loyalty to those whom God has set
in authority.' (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, II, pp. 83-4)
Qurtubi (d. 671/1273; Rahimahullah) agrees with Tabari (d. 923 CE;
Rahimahullah) and Ibn Kathir regarding the meaning of 'the rope of God'
in verse 103. He cites with approval the famous traditionist Ibn al-Mubarak
(d. 181/797; Rahimahullah) who said, 'Surely unity is God's rope; therefore
hold fast all together to 'its firm handle' (see Qur'an 2:256).' Qurtubi
adds that 'God enjoins concord and forbids dissension, for in disunity
is perdition, and in unity salvation.'
Qurtubi offers two possible interpretations of the phrase 'And be
not divided': 'Be not divided in your religion as were the Jews and Christians
divided in their religions' and 'Be not divided in following different
false opinions and purposes. Rather, be brothers in God's religion.' As
a jurist, Qurtubi observes that, 'There is no indication in this verse
of the prohibition of disagreement in the branches (furu') [of fiqh] as
this in reality is not dissension. This is because true dissention is one
wherein concord and unity become virtually impossible.
As for disagreement in judgements based on personal effort (ijtihad),
it is due to differences in deducing obligations (fara'id) and the minutiae
of law.' On page 279, Imam al-Razi (d. 606/1210; Rahimahullah) was quoted
as saying in conclusion to his commentary on the above verse: 'If a person
going down into a well must hold fast to a rope in order that he may not
fall in, so also the Book of God, His covenant, religion and obedience
to Him, as well as unity and harmony among the people of faith are means
of security for anyone who holds fast to them from falling into the bottom
of Hell.'"
(2) Surah al-Imran (3:105):
"And be not like those who separated and disputed after
the clear proofs had come unto them: For such there is an awful doom."
(3) Surah al-Imran (3:110):
"Ye are the best community that has been raised up for
mankind. Ye enjoin the good and forbid the evil; and ye believe in Allah"
(4) Surah Al-An'am (6:159):
"As for those who divide their religion and break up
into sects, thou has no part in them in the least: Their affair is with
Allah: He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did."
(5) Surah Al-Mu'minun (23:52-53):
"And verily this Ummah of yours is a single Ummah and
I am your Lord, so keep your duty unto Me. But they have broken their religion
among them into sects, each sect rejoicing in its tenets."
(6) Surah Al-Rum (30:32):
"Those who split up their Religion, and become Sects,
each sect exulting in its tenets."
(7) Surah Al-Nisa (4:115):
"He that disobeys the Apostle (Muhammad) after guidance
has been made clear to him and follows a way other than that of the believers,
We appoint for him that unto which he himself hath turned, and expose him
unto Hell - a hapless journey's end!"
(8) Surah Al-An'am (6:153):
"This is My Straight path, so follow it. Follow not other
ways, lest ye be parted from His way. This has he ordained for you, that
ye may ward off (evil)."
HADITH EVIDENCE
Imam Abu Dawood
Imam Abu Dawood (Rahimahullah) has quoted the well known Hadith concerning
the division of the Muslim Ummah into seventy- three sects in his Sunan
(3/4580, English edn):
Abu Amir al- Hawdhani said, "Mu'awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (may
Allah be pleased with him) stood among us and said, 'Beware! The Apostle
of Allah
(may peace be upon him) stood among us and said': 'Beware! The
People of the Book before (you) were split up into 72 sects, and this community
will be split up into 73, seventy-two of them will go to Hell and one of
them will go to Paradise, and it is the majority group (Jama'ah).'
Another version of the above Hadith has been reported by Hafiz Ibn Kathir
(Rahimahullah) in The Signs Before The Day of Judgement (pg. 14):
"Awf ibn Malik reported that the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) said, 'The Jews split into 71 sects: one will enter Paradise
and 70 will enter Hell. The Christians split into 72 sects: 71 will enter
Hell and one will enter Paradise. By Him in Whose hand is my soul, my Ummah
will split into 73 sects: one will enter Paradise and 72 will enter Hell.'
Someone asked, 'O Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), who will they
be?' He replied, 'The main body of the Muslims (al-Jama'ah).'
Awf ibn Malik is the only one who reported this Hadith, and its isnad
is acceptable." And in another version of this Hadith the Prophet (Peace
be upon him) goes on to say that the saved sect,
"...Are those who follow my and my Sahaba's path" (Tirmidhi,
vol. 2, pg. 89)
Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad al-Sirhindi (d. 1034/1624; Rahimahullah) who is
regarded by many people in the Indian sub-continent as a great renovator
of the Tenth Islamic Century (Mujaddid alf Thani) wrote in his Maktubat
(Vol. 3, Letter 38):
"It was declared in a Hadith that this Ummah would part
into 73 groups, 72 of which would go to Hell. This Hadith informs us that
the 72 groups will be tormented in the Fire of Hell. It does not inform
us that they will remain in torment eternally. Remaining in the torment
of Hell Fire eternally is for those who do not have Faith. That is, it
is for disbelievers. The 72 groups, on account of their corrupt beliefs,
will go to Hell and will burn as much as the corruptness of their beliefs.
One group, the 73rd, will be saved from Hell Fire because their belief
is not corrupt. If among the members of this one group there are those
who committed evil deeds and if these evil deeds of theirs have not been
forgiven through repentance or intercession, it is possible that these,
too, will burn in Hell as much as their sins. All of those who are in the
72 groups will go to Hell. But none of them will remain in Hell eternally.
Not all of those who are in this one group will go to Hell. Of these only
those who have committed evil deeds will go to Hell. The 72 reported groups
of bid'ah, which will go to Hell, should not be called disbelievers, because
they are Ahl al-Qibla (people of the Qibla in prayer). But, of these, the
ones who disbelieve those facts in the Deen that are indispensably required
to be believed, as well as those who deny the rules of the Shari'ah which
every Muslim has heard and knows, become disbelievers."
In another letter (vol. 1, letter 80) he said:
"There is no doubt whatsoever that the sect that made conforming
to the conduct of the Prophet's Companions (may Allah be pleased with them
all) necessary, that alone is the Ahl as Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah."
Shaykh Abdal Qadir al-Jilani (d. 561/1166; Rahimahullah) stated in his
commentary to the above Hadith in Ghunyat at-Talibin (pg. 90),
"The Believer should adapt himself to the Sunnah and to
the Jama'ah. The Sunnah is the way shown by Rasulullah (Peace be upon him).
The Jama'ah is composed of the things done unanimously by the Sahaba who
lived in the time of the four caliphs called Khulafa' ar-Rashidin (and
others in their path). A Muslim must prevent the multiplication of the
men of bid'ah and keep away from them, and should not greet them (as given
in many Hadith on this issue). Ahmad ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah), the Imam
of our Madhhab, said that greeting a man of bid'ah meant loving him since
it had been declared in a Hadith, 'Disseminate (your) greeting (salaam)!
Love one another in this way!" He also said (pg. 143): "The title, Ahl
as-Sunnah, which the innovators have expressed for themselves is not appropriate
for them."
Ibn Taymiyya
Ibn Taymiyya hit the right point when he described those who
are the real Sunni's in his Aqeedat-il-Wasitiyyah (pg. 154):
"Their creed is the religion of Islam which was sent to
the world by Allah through the Prophet (Peace be upon him). But the Prophet
(Peace be upon him) said, 'My Ummah will get divided into 73 sects and
each one will go to Hell save one and that one is the Jama'at.' Also in
one Hadith he said, 'They are those people who will follow this path which
I and my Sahaba follow today.' Therefore they have caught hold of Islam
unalloyed from every adulteration and these are the people of Ahl as-Sunnah
Wa'l Jama'ah. This group includes the truthful, the martyrs and the virtuous;
it includes the minarets of guidance, lamps in the darkness and owners
of such superiorities and virtues who have been already mentioned. It includes
the saints and also those Imams on whose guidance Muslims are unanimous.
It is this successful group about which the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
has said: 'One group from my Ummah will always remain dominant with truth;
the opponents will never be able to harm its members or afflict them upto
the Doomsday.'"
Imam Muslim
Imam Muslim (Rahimahullah) has collected a number of variant Hadith
on the saved sect. He has related a longer version of the last Hadith quoted
above:
"Abdal Rahman ibn Shamasa al-Mahri said: 'I was in the company
of Maslama bin Mukhallad and Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (may Allah be
pleased with them).' Abdullah said, 'The Hour shall come only when the
worst type of people are left on the earth. They will be worse than the
people of pre-Islamic days. They will get what ever they ask off Allah.'
While we were sitting Uqba ibn Amir came, and Maslama said to him, 'Uqba,
listen to what Abdullah says.' Uqba said, 'He knows, so far as I am concerned,
I heard the Prophet (Peace be upon him) say: A group of people from my
Ummah will continue to fight in obedience to the Command of Allah, remaining
dominant over their enemies. Those who will opose them shall not do them
any harm. They will remain in this condition until the Hour over takes
them.' (At this) Abdullah said, 'Yes. Then Allah will raise a wind which
will be fragrant like musk and whose touch will be like the touch of silk;
(but) it will cause the death of all (faithful) persons, not leaving behind
a single person with an iota of faith in his heart. Then only the worst
of men will remain to be overwhelmed by the Hour.'" (Sahih Muslim,
3/4721, English ed'n, see also Sahih al-Bukhari, 9/414, English
ed'n)
Imam Nawawi
Imam Nawawi (d. 676/1277, Rahimahullah) said in his Sharh Muslim
(vol. 2, pg. 143):
"The group of people (mentioned in the above Hadith)
consists of scholars, jurisprudents, authorities on Hadith, those who enjoin
Good and forbid Evil and all such persons who do good deeds. Such righteous
persons may be found spread all over the world."
Imam al-Tirmidhi
Imam al-Tirmidhi (Rahimahullah) said:
"The explanation of al- Jama'ah according to the people
of knowledge: They are the people of Fiqh, knowledge and Hadith." (Sunan
al-Tirmidhi, 4/2167; Ahmad Shakir ed'n)
Imam Bukhari (Rahimahullah) stated in his Sahih (vol. 9, chapter.
10, English ed'n),
"The statement of the Prophet (Peace be upon him):
'A group of my followers will remain victorious in their struggle in the
cause of the Truth.' Those are the religious(ly) learned men (Ahl ul-Ilm)."
Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (Rahimahullah) said about this group:
"If it is not the people of Hadith, then I do not
know who they may be." (Sahih Muslim Sharif-Mukhtasar Sharh Nawawi,
vol. 5, pg. 183, W. Zaman )
Qadi Iyad
Qadi Iyad (Rahimahullah) said in ash-Shifa (pg. 188):
"In a Hadith >from Abu Umama (Allah be pleased with
him), the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, `A group of my community will
remain constant to the truth, conquering their enemy
until the command of Allah comes to them while they are still in that condition.'
He was asked, 'Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), where are they?'
He replied, `In Jerusalem.'"
Imam Muslim
Imam Muslim (Rahimahullah) has related in his Sahih (3/4553) under the
chapter heading 'Instruction to stick to the main body of the Muslims in
the time of the trials and warning against those inviting people to disbelief',
a Hadith on the authority of Hudhaifa ibn al-Yaman (Allah be pleased with
him), who said:
"People used to ask the Messenger of Allah (may peace
be upon him) about the good times, but I used to ask him about (the) bad
times fearing lest they overtake me. I said, 'Messenger of Allah, we were
in the midst of ignorance and evil, and then God brought us this good (time
through Islam). Is there any bad time after this good one?' He said, 'Yes'.
I asked, 'Will there be a good time again after that bad time?' He said,
'Yes, but therein will be a hidden evil.' I asked, 'What will be the evil
hidden therein?' He said, '(That time will witness the rise of) the people
who will adopt ways other than mine and seek guidance other than mine.
You will know good points as well as bad points.' I asked, 'Will there
be a bad time after this good one?' He said, 'Yes. (A time will come) when
there will be people standing and inviting at the gates of Hell. Whoso
responds to their call, they will throw them into the fire.' I said, 'Messenger
of Allah (Peace be upon him), describe them for us.' He said, 'All right.
They will be a people having the same complexion as ours and speaking our
language.' I said, `Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), what do you
suggest if I happen to live in their time?' He said, 'You should stick
to the main body of the Muslims and their leader' I said, 'If they have
no (such thing as the) main body of the Muslims and have no leader?' He
said, 'Separate yourself from all these factions, though you may have to
eat the roots of trees until death comes to you and you are in this state.'"
The Prophet, peace be upon him, as saying:
"A group of people from my Ummah will continue to fight
in obedience to the command of Allah, remaining dominant over their enemies.
Those who will oppose them shall not do them any harm. They will remain
in this condition until the Hour overtakes them."
(4) Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of
Allah (Peace be upon him) as saying:
"Who (ever) defected from the obedience (to the Amir) and
separated from the main body of the Muslims - then he died in that state
- would die the death of one belonging to the days of Jahiliyya (pre-Islamic
ignorance). And he who is killed under the banner of a man who is blind
(to the cause for which he is fighting), who gets flared up with family
pride and fights for his tribe - is not from my Ummah, and whoso from my
followers attacks my followers (indiscriminately) killing the righteous
and the wicked of them, sparing not (even) those staunch in faith and fulfilling
not his obligation towards them who have been given a pledge (of security),
is not from me." (Sahih Muslim, 3/4557 & 4555; English ed'n)
Imam al-Bayhaqi
Imam al-Bayhaqi (d. 458/1066; Rahimahullah) stated in his:
The Seventy-Seven Branches of Faith (pg. 42-3), under the fiftieth
branch of faith (50 - Holding firmly to the position of the majority):
"God Most High has said: Hold fast, all together,
to the rope of God, and do not be disunited. [3:103]. Muslim (Rahimahullah)
relates on the authority of Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him) that
the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, 'Whoever is disobedient, and departs
from the majority, and then dies, has died in a state of Jahiliyya.'
He also relates the following Hadith on the authority of Ibn Shurayh
(Allah be pleased with him):
"After I am gone, there will come days of corruption and
turmoil. When you see people damaging the unity of the Community of Muhammad
(Peace be upon him), you must fight them, whoever they may happen to be.
Abdal Hakim Murad
Abdal Hakim Murad (the translator of the above book) said in the footnote
to the fiftieth branch of faith:
"Orthodoxy in Islam is defined as the doctrine of
Ahl al-Sunna wa'l Jama'ah, the People of the Sunna and the Community. To
know whether a doctrine or practise is orthodox or heretical, the Muslim
is required to find out whether it is recognised by the majority of Muslim
scholars (see later for Imam al-Munawi's commentary). Thus even without
looking into their theology, he will know that sects such as the Isma'ilis,
the Khariji's, the Wahhabi's, the Twelver Shi'a and others (not to mention
anti-Islamic groupings such as the Ahmadiya and the Bahais) are to be repudiated.'"
Ibn Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (Peace be
upon him) as saying:
"One who found in his Amir [the ruler of the Islamic state,
holding the station of caliphate] something which he disliked should hold
his patience, for one who separated from the main body of the Muslims even
to the extent of a handspan and then he died, would die the death of one
belonging to the days of Jahiliyya." (Sahih Muslim, 3/4559; English ed'n
& Sahih al-Bukhari, 9/257; English ed'n)
Imam's Ahmad and Abu Dawood (Allah's mercy be upon them) said that Abu
Dharr (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Prophet (Peace be upon him)
as saying:
"He who separates from the main body (of the Ummah) by even
a hand's breadth from the Community he throws off Islam from his neck.
(Mishkat-ul-Masabih, 1/185 & Sunan Abu Dawood, 3/4740)
The following five Hadith have been mentioned by the great scholar of
Hadith, Hafiz Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Jawzi (d. 597/1201; Rahimahullah) in
his Talbis Iblis in the section entitled: Adherence to the Sunnah
and Jama'ah. A section of the above work has been translated by Abu Ameenah
Bilal Philips in to English, on pages 4-5.
Hafiz Ibn al-Jawzi was noted for his exceptional stringency in accepting
Hadith, and he has been known to have declared some of the Hadith in Bukhari/Muslim
to be Da'eef, as well as declaring some sound Hadith to be fabricated!
Nevertheless, I would like to make it clear to those readers who are unaware
of the status of Bilal Philips, that he has heavily depended on the classifications
of al-Albani in most of his books! If the esteemed reader is convinced
that the errors of al-Albani are most apparent, then one should beware
of the status of those Hadiths that have been used by Bilal Philips (on
account of his accepting al-Albani's classifications). Bilal Philips seems
to be a leading critic of Taqleed who has been swept away by the tide of
modern day "Salafiyyism"; and it seems that he has 'blindly' accepted the
classifications of al-Albani without himself reverifying al-Albani's classifications!
I ask you, is this not a clear cut example of Taqleed? If it has been proven
that al-Albani's classifications are unreliable, would it not be just for
Bilal Philips to re-verify all the Hadiths that have been authenticated
by al-Albani and correct any misclassifications in his books? Allah know's
best.
(7) 'Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported that on one occasion
Allah's Messenger (Sall Allahu alaihi wa Aalihi wa Sallim) stood up among them
and said, "Whoever among you desires the centre of paradise should keep
close to the Jama'ah for the Devil closely accompanies the solitary individual
and is more distant from two." (Collected by Imam Tirmidhi )
(8) And 'Arfajah (Allah be pleased with him) reported (Allah's Messenger,
peace be upon him, as saying): "that Allah's hand is over the Jama'ah and
the Devil is with whoever deviates from the Jama'ah." (Collected by Imam
al-Tabarani )
(9) 'Abdullah (ibn Masood; Allah be pleased with him) reported that
once Allah's Messenger (Peace be upon him) drew a line in the dust with
his hand and said, "This is the straight path of Allah." Then he drew a
series of lines to the right of it and to the left and said, "Each of these
paths has a devil at its head inviting people to it." He then recited (Qur'an
6:153), "Verily this is my straight path so follow it and do not follow
the (twisted) paths." (Collected by Ahmad, Nisai and Darimi; see Mishkat
ul-Masabih, 1/166)
(10) Mu'adh ibn Jabal (Allah be pleased with him) reported that Allah's
Messenger (Peace be upon him) said, "The Devil is like a wolf among humans
as a wolf is among sheep; it snatches the stray sheep. So beware of the
paths which branch off and adhere to the Jama'ah, the masses and the masjid."
(Collected by Imam Ahmad; NB- The version given in Mishkat, 1/184, also
on the authority of Imam Ahmad does not have the addition 'the masses and
the masjid.')
(11) And Abu Dharr (Allah be pleased with him) reported from the
Prophet (Peace be upon him) that, "Two are better than one, and three better
than two; so stick to the Jama'ah for verily Allah, Most Great and Glorious,
will only unite my nation on guidance.' (Collected by Ahmad )
(12) Al-Harith al-Ashari (Allah be pleased with him) reported that
the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) said: "I bid you to do five
things: to remain attached to the main body (Jama'ah of Muslims), listen
to your ruler (the Khalif of the Islamic state) and obey him, and migrate,
and fight in the way of Allah. And he who detaches himself >from the main
body of the Muslims (Jama'ah) to the extent of one span of hand, he in
fact, throws off the yoke of Islam from his neck, and he who calls with
the call of ignorance, he is one from the denizens of Hell beyond doubt,
even if he observes fast and says prayers and considers himself as a Muslim."
(Musnad Ahmad, vide: Selection from Hadith, no. 288; by A.H. Siddique)
(13) Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) reported Allah's Messenger
(Peace be upon him) as saying: "Follow the great mass (as- Sawad al-Azam)
for he who kept himself away from it, in fact would be thrown in Hell Fire."
(Ibn Majah; vide: Mishkat, 1/174, by A.H. Siddiqui). The translator of
Mishkat-ul-Masabih (A.H. Siddiqui, pg. 113) said in the footnote to the
last Hadith: "There is a good deal of difference of opinion as to what
the term Sawad al-Azam implies. The overwhelming majority of the scholars
are of the view that As- Sawad al-Azam means the largest group of the learned
scholars and pious persons whose opinions are held in high esteem in Islam."
Imam al-Shafi'i (Rahimahullah)
The Imam said in his Risala (pg. 252-3): "Sufyan (ibn Uyayna) told us
from Abd al-Malik ibn Umayr from Abd al-Rahman ibn Abd Allah ibn Masood
from his father, that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, `God will grant
prosperity to His servant who hears my words, remembers them, guards them,
and hands them on. Many a transmitter of law is no lawyer (faqih) himself,
and many may transmit law to others who are more versed in the law than
they. The heart of a Muslim shall never harbour vindictive feelings against
three: sincerity in working for God; faithfulness to Muslims; and conformity
to the community of believers (Jama'ah) - their call shall protect (the
believers) and guard them from (the Devil's) delusion.'" (vide: Sunan
al-Darimi, vol. 1, pp. 74-6; Ibn Hanbal, vol. 6, pg. 96; Musnad
al-Shafi'i, vol. 1, pg. 16; Mishkat-ul-Masabih, 1/228; and al-Bayhaqi
in his al-Madkhal ). Imam al-Shafi'i said (pg. 253): "The Apostle's
(Peace be upon him) order that men should follow the Muslim community is
a proof that the I'jma' (consensus) of the Muslims is binding."
Imam al-Shafi'i (Rahimahullah) stated in al-Risala (pg. 286-7):
"And Sufyan (also) told us from `Abd Allah ibn Abi Labid from `Abd Allah
ibn Sulayman ibn Yasar from his father, who said: `Umar ibn al-Khattab
(Allah be pleased with him) made a speech at al-Jabiya in which he said:
The Apostle of God (Peace be upon him) stood among us by an order from
God, as I am now standing among you, and said: Believe my Companions, then
those who succeed them (the Successors), and after that those who succeed
the Successors; but after them untruthfulness will prevail when people
will swear (in support of their saying) without having been asked to swear,
and will testify without having been asked to testify. Only those who seek
the pleasure of Paradise will follow the community, for the devil can pursue
one person, but stands far away from two. Let no man be alone with a woman,
for the devil will be third among them. He who is happy with his right
(behaviour), or unhappy with his wrong behaviour, is a (true) believer.'"
(see also Musnad al-Shafi'i, vol. 2, pg. 187; and Ibn Hanbal, vol.
1, pg. 112-13, 176-81). Imam al-Shafi'i said in conclusion to this Hadith:
"He who holds what the Muslim community (Jama'ah) holds shall be regarded
as following the community, and he who holds differently shall be regarded
as opposing the community he was ordered to follow. So the error comes
from separation; but in the community as a whole there is no error concerning
the meaning of the Qur'an, the Sunnah, and analogy (qiyas)."
Imam Hakim
Imam Hakim (1/116) has related a Sahih Hadith from the Prophet (Peace
be upon him) in the following words: "My Ummah shall not agree upon error."
Imam al-Tirmidhi
Imam al-Tirmidhi (4/2167) reported on the authority of Ibn Umar (Allah
be pleased with him) from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace),
who said: "Verily my Ummah would not agree (or he said the Ummah of Muhammad
) would not agree upon error and Allah's hand is over the group and whoever
dissents from them departs to Hell." (see also Mishkat, 1/173)
Imam al-Azizi
Imam al-Azizi (d. 1070/1660; Rahimahullah) quoted Imam al- Munawi's
(d. 1031/1622; Rahimahullah) commentary to the last Hadith in his al-Siraj
al-munir sharh al-Jami al-saghir (3.449), as follows:- Allah's hand
is over the group (al-Azizi:) Munawi says, "Meaning his protection and
preservation of them, signifying that the collectivity of the people of
Islam are in Allah's fold, so be also in Allah's shelter, in the midst
of them, and do not separate yourselves from them." The rest of the Hadith,
according to the one who first recorded it (Tirmidhi), is:- and whoever
descents from them departs to hell.
Meaning that whoever diverges from the overwhelming majority concerning
what is lawful or unlawful and on which the Community does not differ has
slipped off the path of guidance and this will lead him to hell." (vide:
The Reliance of the Traveller, pg. 25)
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