In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Ever Merciful…
After warning his Ummah about the splitting and differing that will take place, the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) clarified that the one single group of the 73 sects that will go to Paradise is known as “the Jamaa’ah”. [1]
This is further detailed in another narration (what means): “What I and my companions are upon.” [2]
These narrations are authentic by way of their numerous supporting chains. [3]
In another crucially important hadeeth, the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) said (what means): “Those of you who live long after me shall witness great differing. So upon you is (to follow) my Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs, hold tightly to it and bite onto it with your molar teeth. And be warned of newly-invented matters (in the Religion), as every newly-invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance.” [4]
Which group today remains firm upon this way? When you look to all the various groups and their foundations, you only find one group today that claims pure adherence to the way of the Prophet and his noble companions. They are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, the people who cling tightly to the way of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) and his companions. Whether you call them Sunnis, Salafees, Atharees, Ahlul-Hadeeth, Ahlul-Athar, or any other description, they are the only ones whose true allegiance is to the Book and the Sunnah, according to the understanding of the Companions. They are the Jamaa’ah described in the hadeeth. [5]
Is the Jamaa’ah the Majority of the Muslims?
Some people are confused by a common notion that the word “Jamaa’ah” refers to the majority of the Muslims. Based on this, a minority of the Muslims who cling the way of the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) and his Companions cannot be considered “the Jamaa’ah”. Let us examine this notion more closely from textual, historical, and logical standpoints.
Textually, the Companions – the very core of the Jamaa’ah themselves – did not understand this. Remember that the Jamaa’ah is what they were upon, as mentioned in the hadeeth of the 73 sects quoted earlier.
For example, ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said, “The Jamaa’ah is what is in accordance to the truth, even if you were alone (in that).” [6]
He used to tell his students explicitly that the majority of the people have departed from the Jamaa’ah. That was still in the time of the leadership of the rightly guided Caliphs. [7]
Also, among the Prophets were those who only had a few followers. Quranic accounts of Nooh (Noah), for example, and how most of his people rejected his message, show how the Jamaa’ah upon the truth can be a small group of people, the minority. [8]
In our Ummah’s history, in fact, we find many documented cases of the Truth being supported by the minority of the Muslims, while the majority were upon misguidance. The clearest and most widely known case of this would be the trials of the Jahmiyyah and the Mu’tazilah of the early third century who tried to force the whole ummah to adopt the innovated belief that the Quran was created. While the correct beliefs (that the Quran is the Speech of Allaah, uncreated) were held by only a small band of people around the great imaam, Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d.241), most of the Muslims were on a belief opposing the Book and the Sunnah as the companions understood them. During these trials, this small minority were the actual “Jamaa’ah” spoken of in the hadeeth. [9]
The great imaam, Is-haaq ibn Raahawayh (d.238) stated:
If you ask the ignorant, ‘Who are the jamaa’ah?’ They will say, ‘All the people (together).’ But they do not know that the Jamaa’ah is a scholar who follows the footsteps of the Prophet – Allaah’s praise and peace be upon him – and his way. So whoever is with him and follows him is [one of] the Jamaa’ah.” [10]
The great scholar, Ibn Qayyim al-Jowziyyah (d.751) (may Allaah have Mercy upon him) said:
The Sawaad A’tham (i.e. the Jamaa’ah) [11] was mentioned to some of the imaams of Hadeeth, who said: Do you know who the Sawaad A’tham are? They are Muhammad ibn Aslam at-Toosee and his companions.
Then, people differed and claimed that the Sawaad A’tham, the binding proof, and the Jamaa’ah is the majority (of the Muslims), making them the yardstick by which to judge the Sunnah, thus considering the (true) Sunnah to be innovation and good things to be evil, because of the small numbers of the minorities (of the people of the Truth) in each time and place. They would say: “Whoever contradicts (the majority), Allaah will cause him to contradict them by going to the Fire.” Such people, in their differing, do not even realize that the contradictory one (in reality) is the one who opposes the Truth, even if all of the people were upon it (that which opposes the Truth), except for one of them. In such a case, they (the majority) are the opposers (not the minority). [12]
Lastly, from a logical standpoint, how could the majority of the Muslims be the “Jamaa’ah” when the Prophet (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) identified the saved sect, “the Jamaa’ah”, as a minority in the very hadeeth that people continue to quote without understanding its meaning. The hadeeth clearly states that the Muslims will split into 73 sects, and all of them will be in the Hellfire except one – “the Jamaa’ah”. So, the saved sect, the Jamaa’ah, is one group out of 73 groups, according to the Messenger of Allah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace).
You do the math – Is ONE SECT out of 73 the majority or the minority? [13]
Al-Munaawee (d.1031) said in his famous explanation of aSuyootee’s al-Jaami’ as-Sagheer, explaining the hadeeth of the 73 sects:
فيه كثرة أهل الضلال وقلة أهل الكمال
“In it (the hadeeth) is that the people of misguidance are many, and the people of completeness (proper adherance) are few.” [14]
Once you have understood this – may Allaah bless me and you with understanding – it should be crystal clear that the Prophetic solution to the problem of disunity is not to simply follow what the majority of the Muslims are upon, or to focus on the name or label of a group, while ignoring the reality of what they are upon.
The only way to be saved from the Hellfire in the face of the widespread splitting and differing of the Muslims today is by standing with the Jamaa’ah who cling devoutly to the Book and the Sunnah as understood by the Companions.
Written by: Moosaa Richardson (updated 1434-11-25, 1436-11-6)
rev.JF.OH
FOOTNOTES:
[1] An authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam Ibn Maajah in his Sunan (#3992).
[2] An authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam at-Tirmithee in his Jaami’ (#2641).
[3] Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan said, “The hadeeth is authentic by way of its numerous (supporting) routes. The scholars have authenticated it and used it as a proof.” (As-Salafiyyah: Haqeeqatuhaa wa Seemaa’uhaa, p.47)
[4] An authentic hadeeth collected by Imaam Aboo Daawood in his Sunan (#4607).
[5] For a response to some of today’s confused preachers who seem to think that the Jamaa’ah is the group of Muslims that only calls themselves “the Muslims” and nothing else, read this.
[6] Collected by Imaam al-Laalakaa’ee in Sharh Usool Ali’tiqaad (#160).
[7] The great Companion Ibn Mas’ood died in the year 32, during the Caliphate of ‘Uthmaan ibn ‘Affaan (may Allaah be pleased with both of them). He told his student, ‘Amr ibn Maymoon, “Verily, the majority of the people are the ones splitting away from the Jamaa’ah! Verily, the Jamaa’ah is what is in accordance with the Truth, even if you were alone (i.e. the only one upon the Truth).” It was reported by al-Laalakaa’ee in Sharh Usool Ali’tiqaad (no.160), and Ibn al-Qayyim quoted it in I’laam al-Muwaqqi’een (5/388).
[8] For examples, review Soorah Hood (11:25-49) and Soorah Nooh (71:1-28).
[9] The Sawaad A’tham (السواد الأعظم) is a phrase that means “the main body” or “the huge gathering”. It is used by the scholars as a synonym for the Jamaa’ah.
[10] Hilyat al-Owliyaa’ (9/239)
[11] Imaam Ibn al-Qayyim said in I’laam al-Muwaqqi’een (5/389): “All of the people were in contradiction (to the Truth) in the time of Ahmad ibn Hanbal, except for a small group. They were the Jamaa’ah themselves (of that time). The judges, the muftees, and the Caliph of that time and his followers were all in opposition (to the Truth). It was Imaam Ahmad by himself who was the Jamaa’ah!”
[12] I’laam al-Muwaqqi’een (5/389)
[13] Note: This does not necessitate that Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah must always be a minority. They have had strong points in history, and the very Sunnah of Allaah within the creation is that the level of guidance among His servants fluxuates, due to the Wisdom He chooses to test His servants with. People revive and renew Islamic beliefs and practices periodically (at the head of every century, for example, as established in authentic narrations).
In the reality that we live in, consider the condition of the Muslims today, and how the Ash’arees alone claim – for example – to make up the vast majority of today’s Muslims. (This claim is not established in reality.) Consider the reality of the spread of innovation and how many Muslims attach themselves to it, whether it be Khurooj, Shiasm, Soofism, Ikhwanism, Ash’arism, etc., and this is while many of them make claims that they are from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. The reality of their beliefs and practices is so commonly in contrast to the claims and the labels.
[14] Faydh al-Qadeer (2/21)
As-Salaamu alaykum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatu,
May Allah reward you for this poignant reminder, and may Allah guide us to, and keep us upon the truth.
Perhaps the implied claim that one sect in 73 is the minority could be clarified. It is indeed likely that it’s the minority, but not certain. By many accounts, Catholics outnumber all other sects of Christianity, and they are often considered a single sect. […] It is possible for a single subgroup to outnumber all other subgroups, and hence, hold the majority. […]
I have a vague recollection of a Hadith which mentions 1 in 1000 going to Jannah, and my family has a vague recollection of a Hadith about 1 white hair on a black horse being like the number of people upon truth among those upon falsehood. Are these points/Hadith true? Are they appropriate in this context?
May Allah aid you in your efforts to gain and spread knowledge and truth.
Jazakallahu khayran. [comment edited by admin for brevity]
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. May Allaah reward you for your questions dear brother. The first issue you have asked about has been dealt with in the article and in the comments. The second issue – There is a hadeeth in the Saheeh collections of al-Bukhaaree and Muslim which states that one out of every 1000 will be saved from the Fire, but the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) explained that it refers to Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj being the vast majority of the people of the Fire. The same hadeeth ends with a description of the Muslims making up half of the people of Paradise, yet their numbers compared to others are like a white hair on a black bull. (Muslim #379, on the authority of Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree)
The relationship of this text to our discussion is unclear, as these are ratios of (A) the people of Paradise compared to Ya’jooj and Ma’jooj, (B) the Ummah of Muhammad (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace) in Paradise compared to the members of all previous ummahs who made it to Paradise, and (C) the Ummah of Muhammad compared to the total numbers of the other nations (Muslims or non-Muslims). These ratios are inconclusive in a discussion about the ratio of rightly guided Muslims from the Ummah of Muhammad to the misguided Muslims from the Ummah of Muhammad (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). And Allaah knows best.
Do any scholars state that the hadith of the 73 sects shows that most Muslims will be misguided and/or enter the Hellfire? Also, is it not possible that more Muslims than not will adhere to the save sect? If so, wouldn’t that mean that majority of the Muslims are not necessarily scattered within the 72 misguided sects?
Moreover, if “Jamaa’ah” doesn’t mean the majority, does this same meaning apply regarding the concept of Ijmaa?
Al-Munaawee (d.1031), in his larger explanation of as-Suyootee’s “al-Jaami’ al-Sagheer”, stated this explicitly when explaining the hadeeth of the 73 sects, saying: ( وفيه كثرة أهل الضلال وقلة أهل الكمال ) = “In it (the hadeeth of 73 sects) is that the people of misguidance are many, and the people of completeness (proper adherance) are few.” (Faydh al-Qadeer, 2/21)
Having said this, it is also true that the Jamaa’ah may have been the majority at certain times throughout history, especially in the time of the Companions and at the peak of a revival, when Allaah renews the Religion for the people through the efforts of the mujaddideen, like ‘Umar ibn ‘Abdil-‘Azeez (end of the first century) and ash-Shaafi’ee (end of the second century).
Ijmaa’ is a different term that refers to the complete body of scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah (not the misguided groups) agreeing on a specific ruling. While both terms come from the base ja-ma-‘ah ( ج – م – ع ), the connection between the two in this discussion is not very relevant, except that we could say that ijmaa’ (consensus) is always the truth, since the Ummah does not unite upon error, and so the people of the Jamaa’ah could never oppose ijmaa’ (knowingly). And Allaah knows best.
Regarding the majority of the people who ascribe to Islaam today, Shaykh Saalih al-Fowzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:
“When we look to the Muslim world, we do not see any serious commitment to Islaam with most of those who ascribe to it, except the few that Allaah has had Mercy on. They are (mostly) Muslims by name only, the ‘aqeedah of most of them is lost. They worship other than Allaah, calling on saints and righteous people, clinging to graves and tombs, not establishing the prayer, not paying zakaat, not fasting, etc. They are not fulfilling the basic obligations Allaah asked of them, nor are they even preparing physically to engage in combat against the disbelievers! This is the case with the majority of those who ascribe themselves to Islaam – they have lost their religion, so Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic, caused them to be lost.”
https://www.bakkah.net/en/importance-towheed-neglecting.htm
Why did you not post the comment of ours with the fatwa of ‘Allaamah Saalih al-Fawzaan? [comment abridged]
Because your claimed fatwa was not found on the website of Shaykh al-Fowzaan. We wrote you an email asking about it, but it seems that all the emails you use here are not real. If you are not a troll, simply provide links to your claims and a working email for follow-up.
Do not use bad words against us such as ‘troll’ or such curses.
Shaykh [Fulaan]… Shaykh [Fulaan] said about Shaykh [Fulaan]… and Shaykh [Fulaan]…
[link removed, response heavily edited by admin]
Salman, you are welcome to benefit from the material here at Bakkah.net. Your comments about this shaykh and that shaykh are simply not welcome here. No one called you a troll or cursed you, so save the drama. You still have not provided a valid email address or a proof of your previous claim.
Notice how accurately our scholars speak when they say: Those most vocal about their claim that jarh and ta’deel do not exist today are actually the MOST ACTIVE in jarh and ta’deel themselves.</ strong>
It amazes me that people who claim to follow the Quran and Sunnah believe Muslims can unite with Rafidas if we just stop calling them Rafidas. What unity does a muslim want with people who curse and hate the best carriers of this religion?! (the cherished Companions)
Basil, jazaak Allaahu khayran for your comment. I totally agree. It is absolutely foolish to think that Muslims can unite with the Raafidhah, for example, by simply “dropping the labels”, so the Muslims of Ahlus-Sunnah, called either Sunnees or Salafees, meaning: their religion is to follow the Book and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Companions and early Muslims (Salaf), which is the only true Islaam, and without doubt, it is the Jamaa’ah, the Saved Sect, and the Siraat al-Mustaqeem… these people MUST drop this distinction that the scholars of Islaam throughout history have always used to clarify the correct Islaam from the false paths attributed to it. This label of distinction is to be dropped and we are to unite with people of heretic beliefs because they also drop their labels?! So now our unity is based on the shunning of labels (which identify people and their beliefs)?! And this is made to be the “saved sect”? What a ridiculous load of rubbish, the natural result of people in the West with no knowledge of Islaam taking positions to give fatwaas, leading masses of people into confusion in their Religion. May Allaah keep us away from such foolish fatwaas.
This is why the Salafee Da’wah is so clear and easy to follow. We ask our Salafee question that ALWAYS distinguishes true Islaam from falsehood: This idea you have (shunning labels being key to Muslim unity), is it something understood and practiced by the Companions? If it is, it is the Deen of Allaah. If it is not, then it is innovation and misguidance. This is what true Islaam is based on. So the Quran and the Sunnah is not left to any person’s re-interpretation and opinion. The Book and the Sunnah are to be understood how those who witnessed their revelation understood them, otherwise the concept is clear falsehood. Every Muslim who understands his religion comprehends this and takes this as his way to see past people’s claims and into their realities. And Allaah knows best.
As salaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,
You stated,
“. . . . so the Muslims of Ahlus-Sunnah, called either Sunnees or Salafees, meaning: their religion is to follow the Book and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Companions and early Muslims (Salaf), which is the only true Islaam, and without doubt, it is the Jamaa’ah, the Saved Sect, and the Siraat al-Mustaqeem… these people MUST drop this distinction that the scholars of Islaam throughout history have always used to clarify the correct Islaam from the false paths attributed to it.”
I have been asked by a member of my family when the term Salafi was first used to describe the correct path, by whom, and for what specific purpose. This person sees using this term as splitting the Ummah and unnecessary. It is a sticking point for them. It is causing much fitna for me, as it is difficult to be under the guardianship of someone who opposes Salafiyyah. Can you assist me with helping them understand?
Jazak Allahu khairan
Wa ‘alaykum as-Salaamu wa rahmatullaah. In the earliest dictionaries of ascriptions, like the mainstream, widely known and respected “Kitaab al-Ansaab” of as-Sam’aanee (d.562 – from almost 900 years ago), the ascription to Salafiyyah, that one is called a Salafee, is mentioned as a valid ascription in use by the Muslims. There is no contention mentioned there, no is there any indication that there was ever a problem with it, in any era. The books written on that topic, the validation of ascriptions, are many, and I do not know any book that ever mentioned any issue with the ascription to Salafiyyah. Anyone who thinks it is a modern invention is grossly misinformed. Ignorance is widespread, and people repeat things they have no knowledge of! And how could ascribing to the core of this Ummah cause splitting? The Salaf are the Companions, their students, and the best of the early generations. They are the carriers of this Religion to us, by the Permission of Allah. People call themselves “Ash’aree” or “Tableeghee” on deviation in basic creed, and people don’t challenge the ascription, and all other types of ascriptions to all types of things. Why is it that when someone ascribes to the Sunnah, the Athar, or the Salaf, THAT -and only THAT- is division, while those things are what keep us away from division, by the Permission of Allah?
BaarakAllahu feek ya akhi Moosa, its articles like these that are a thorn in the neck of innovators and people of misguidance. But the truth must be clarified from the falsehood. People who cut and paste words of the scholars to confuse others. Da’wah Salafiyyah is clear, like the night is from the day.
as salam alaykum wa rahmatullaahi wa baarakatuhu,
dear brother, jaazak Allaahu khayra for the effort you exercise in spreading the authentic sunnah of our beloved, the Prophet Muhammad, sala Allaahu alayhi wa salam.
I believe to have found an error, which was most likely a typo in shaa Allaah:
“The great Companion Ibn Mas’ood died in the year 32, during the Caliphate of ‘Alee ibn Abee Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with both of them)…”
This great companion, radi Allaahu anhu, as far as Allaah has granted me to know about him died during the Caliphate of Uthmaan, radi Allaahu anhuma, and also in respect to the year 32H -> it was three years before the Caliphate of Ali, radi Allaahu anhu. Baarak Allaahu feek to change these matters for our general benefit and that of all the Muslims.
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Jazaak Allaahu khayran Abaa Nuh, you have done well to point out that mistake. It has been corrected. May Allaah bless you! Please check your email.
Speaking about which minhaj to follow, a well-known da’ee said:
“This Manhaj or that is only good if it leads to Jannah and only Allah
will decide that. Nobody has any guarantee about that. And anyone who claims categorically that his way leads to Jannah is speaking with
arrogance and without knowledge. Rasoolullah (S) mentioned that those who are closest to his way and
the way of his Sahaba are the saved group, but let’s reflect for a
while, if Allah used the benchmark of the Sahaba and not His Mercy,
then how many of is will enter Jannah? And if Allah uses His Mercy
then who knows what will please Him and who He will permit into the
Jannah? After all He is the owner of Jannah and not any of our many
groups, each claiming it for themselves. And He is not going to ask our permission before permitting anyone into His Jannah.”
Is this a legitimate statement?
Allaah has clarified His Religion to the people, and through the detailed teachings of His Messenger (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), He has made the way to Paradise as clear as a gleaming, bright road, its night is as clear and obvious as its day, as described by the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace). It is the way of the Prophet and his rightly guided Caliphs, and all those who held to it from the early pious Muslims. This is the Saved Sect that the Messenger of Allaah (may Allaah raise his rank and grant him peace), and this is the way to Paradise. Whoever wants Paradise, he must take this path with sincerity and diligence.
Then, ultimately, all of those who take this Path will go to Paradise, by the Mercy of Allaah and His Grace alone. This is His Promise, and He does not break His Promises.
Additionally, Allaah will bestow His Favor upon some of those who did not take this Path, whomever He chooses, from those who had not died upon polytheism. This is also His Right. That also will only happen through His Mercy and Grace alone. They are forgiven for their erroneous way, not praised for it.
The statement you have quoted seems to be an attempt to confuse the landmarks of the correct path. We are to ascertain the correct path, which Allaah invites us to, ascertain it with knowledge and follow it, knowing it to be the correct path, inviting others to it, informing them that it is the correct path, warning others not to lose themselves in other paths. All of this is part of follow as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem (the Straight Path). The quoted statement seems to lose this idea. When we call to the Salafee way of grounded knowledge and righteous action, the way of the Book and the Sunnah in truth, we do so with knowledge and humbleness, not ignorance and arrogance.
As such, the statement, “Anyone who claims categorically that his way leads to Jannah is speaking with arrogance and without knowledge,” is BASELESS and CONTRADICTORY to the Islaamic texts about the Straight Path and the obligation to follow it and call to it. Review the content of the above article carefully to put things back in their places. And Allaah knows best.
Anyone who claims that knowing the Straight Path, following it, and calling to it with proofs and evidences is “a form of arrogance and ignorance” – Such a claimant is in reality the most arrogant and ignorant of the people himself!
Asalamualaykum Jazaakallahu khairan akhi. I know you have clarified this but if it is possibke could you expand on this. Some of the misguided speakers of today, such as muhammad shareef, promote strongly the idea the Jamaa’ah is indeed the majority, as it is a foundation for their ikhwaani agenda, we seek refuge with Allah. They mention that the hadeeth about the 72 sects does not mention the amount of followers each sect has. You have given a quote which refutes this, baarakAllahu feek, but could you expand on this will other quotes maybe and what the scholars mention, jazaakallahu khairan.
Wa ‘alaykum Salaam wa rahmatullaah. “If you ask the ignorant, ‘Who are the jamaa’ah?’ They will say, ‘All the people (together).’ But they do not know that the jamaa’ah is a scholar who follows the footsteps of the Prophet – Allaah’s praise and peace be upon him – and his way. So whoever is with him and follows him is [one of] the jamaa’ah.” -Imaam Ishaaq ibn Raahawayh (d.238)
Source: Hilyatul-Owliyaa’ (9/238,239) as quoted by our brother Owais Al-Haashimee here.
Assalamu alaykum Wa Rahmatullah
Can you tell me the literal Arabic meaning of “The Sawaad A’tham”? Can you quote to me the hadith that it is mentioned in? I have read the hadith is weak, is this true?
Jazakallah Khair
wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. I’m worried that when you ask what the “literal Arabic meaning” of as-Sawaad al-A’tham (السواد الأعظم) is, you might not be focused on understanding the phrase as it was understood by the Salaf, as there are many people today who abandon the correct early understanding and make claims based on the linguistic meanings of phrases like “jamaa’ah”, “as-sawaad al-a’tham”, and others.
Firstly, in some of the narrations of the hadeeth of splitting into 73 sects, the saved sect is referred to as “as-sawaad al-a’tham”. It seems to carry a similar meaning to “al-jamaa’ah” and thus scholars have accepted it as the same meaning and considered it authentic, despite the weakness in the chains. Imaam Al-Aajurree (d.360) in his classic book, “ash-Sharee’ah”, established that the two phrases share the same meaning and reference.
So based on that, everything said about “the jamaa’ah” also applies to the phrase “as-sawaad al-a’tham”.
While it may seem to indicate the vast majority linguistically, similar to “al-jamaa’ah”, consider what Ishaaq ibn Raahawayh (d.238) said: لو سألت الجهال من السواد الأعظم؟ قالوا: جماعة الناس ولا يعلمون أن الجماعة عالم متمسك بأثر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وطريقه، فمن كان معه وتبعه فهو الجماعة، ومن خالفه فيه ترك الجماعة
“If you ask the ignorant people who the sawaad a’tham is, they will say: It is the main body of people. Yet they do not know that the Jamaa’ah is a scholar holding firmly to the narration of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) and his way. Whoever is with him and follows him is the Jamaa’ah, and whoever opposes him has left the Jamaa’ah.” This is from Hilyat al-Owliyaa’ (9/239). The same page includes narrations of ‘Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak (d.181) describing the same “Sawaad A’tham” as individuals by name.
These were two of the greatest imaams of the Salaf and how they understood the term. So be upon their way, and shun the contradictory explanations of the later generations, who focused too heavily on what they understood to be the linguistic meanings of the phrases. And Allaah knows best.
salaam alaikum brother moosa,
Among the salafi websites, there is a statement from Imam Malik rahimahullah that is quoted often and is a beautiful statement indeed.
Imaam Maalik (d.179H), rahimahullaah said, “And the last part of this Ummah cannot be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part.” [Related by al-Qaadee ‘Iyaadh in ash-Shifaa (2/676)]
As far as I have been able to ascertain, al-Qadee Iyaadh died in the 6th century after the Hijrah. So there is a large time gap involved. Therefore, my simple question is: who authenticated this statement from Imam Malik? I wish to pass this information on (to those not upon salafiyyah) when I provide this statement of the Imam so that I am not accused of not verifying information/statements/quotations.
Wa ‘alaykas-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. It has been reported from Imaam Maalik that he narrated this from his teacher Wahb ibn Kaysaan. Wahb used to say it consistently at the end of his gatherings. This has been reported with a chain in Abul-Qaasim al-Jowharee’s Musnad al-Muwatta’, report #783. It is likely that it later became more famous as a statement of Maalik rather than Wahb due to the popularity of Maalik. And Allaah knows best.
Asalamu alaikum .
I have a question regarding two hadith. the first hadith is as follows
Ibn Abbaas (radi’Allaahu anhu) said Allaah’s Messenger (salllallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “He who sees from his ruler something he dislikes, let him be patient with him, for he who splits away from the Jamaa’ah by a handspan and then dies, dies a death of Jaahiliyyah [ignorance].”
[Bukharee 9/145, Muslim & Ahmad]
what does jama’ah mean in the above hadith?
The second hadith is when Hudhaifa (RA) asked the Prophet (salllallahu alaihi wasallam) what to do if there is no Imam or Jama’a?
what does imam andjama’ah mean in the above hadith?
JazakAllahu khaira
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله
When you say,
“Textually, the Companions – the very core of the Jamaa’ah themselves – did not understand this” , do you mean that the companions did not interpret the jam’ah to be the majority of the muslims?
السلام عليكم akhi moosa,
Some people think that the only diffentiation that is to be made amongst the sects is on matters of tawheed and its three categories. Is this correct? What about one who affirms the 3 categories of tawhid but rejects one or more of the sunnah.if my understanding is correct then such a person, if he remains adamant on this deviation, is taken out of ahlus sunnah wal jama’a
وعليك السلام ورحمة الله
That is a false assumption. The Murji’ah said eemaan does not increase, nor are actions from eemaan, and they are one of the sects. The Shia & the Naasibiyyah have hatred for some of the Companions, and they are from the sects. And there are many examples, and Allaah knows best.
As salaam alaykum brother,
I have a group of friends who maa shaa’ Allaah attend Quraan classes, pray, fast pay zakat and perform hajj, yet they practice certain acts that have no evidence in the Quraan or sunnah.
They will attend mixed weddings, celebrate birthdays, hold khatams to name a few. Although there is plenty of evidence against these practices they hold the opinion that they are not doing anything wrong.
Do they fall into one of the deviated sects?
How can I advise them?
Wa ‘alaykum as-salaamu wa rahmatullaah. They seem to be influenced by modern non-Muslim culture, and this is very common. Gently and patiently advise them, while you do not take part in those activities yourself.
السلام عليكم ورحمة الله وبركاته
I came across a hadeeth in which the Messenger of Allaah صلى الله عليه وسلم speaks very harshly about the Qadariyyah. From the website I found it’s attributed to Ibn Umar and collected by Abu Dawud (the site also claims Al-Albani رحمه الله authenticated it). Here’s the arabic text of the hadeeth:
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ الْقَدَرِيَّةُ مَجُوسُ هَذِهِ الأُمَّةِ إِنْ مَرِضُوا فَلاَ تَعُودُوهُمْ وَإِنْ مَاتُوا فَلاَ تَشْهَدُوهُمْ ”
I have two questions on the matter Ustadh:
1. Is it authentic?
2. (If it is authentic) Can this hadeeth be used as evidence for abandonment/harshness towards all deviant groups, like how the salaf were? There are people who refuse to accept the manners of the salaf towards ahlul bid’ah, as if it’s no longer applicable in these times…
Yes, and yes. And Allaah knows best.