Written by:

Allaamah Kaukab Noorani Okarvi

(May his grace continue)

Bismil Laahir Rahmaan Nir Raheem

Was-Salaatu Was-Salaamu ‘Alaa Rasoolihil Kareem

Continued Article…Who Are Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at?

Those Muslims who are by belief Maatureedi or Ash’aree and in Jurist form the followers (مقلدين  Muqallideen) of Hanafee, Shaafi’ee, Maalikee, Hanmbalee and are associated with some correct Chain of Suufi  Doctrines Qaadiree, Chishtee, Naqshbandee, Suharwardee, Shaazli, Rifaa’ee etc. are all Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at (In one word  سنى “Sunni”). (Those Sunni Believers with correct beliefs who are not their followers or are not associated with any Suufi Chain of Doctrine they are also included in Sawaad-e-A’zam.)  Since the beginning of every era Sawaad-e-A’zam Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at have been in large quantity. But the rule of evaluation is not more or less rather it is the following of the Truth.

The title or term Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at has not been self-created after the first three periods (قرون ثلاثه Quroon-e- Salaasah). Rather before the innovated sects this expression is being used for the true Muslims with correct beliefs since the period of the sacred physical presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and the His holy Companions.

Therefore the narration of Hazrat Saiyyidinaa Imaam Zaien-ul-Aabideen Alee Bin Husaien (Allaah be pleased with them) is present that

علامة أهل السنة كثرة الصلاة على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم)) .

“To send Durood Shareef in abundance on the Beloved Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) is the sign of being Ahl-e-Sunnat.” (Al-Targheeb: 963, Al Qaulul Badee pg52, Fazaail e A’maal pg688.)

٢٦٤١ – حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلَانَ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ الحَفَرِيُّ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ الأَفْرِيقِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مَا أَتَى عَلَى بني إسرائيل حَذْوَ النَّعْلِ بِالنَّعْلِ، حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَتَى أُمَّهُ عَلَانِيَةً لَكَانَ فِي أُمَّتِي مَنْ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ، وَإِنَّ بني إسرائيل تَفَرَّقَتْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً»، قَالُوا: وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي»:

It is narrated by Abdul Laah Bin Amar that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has stated “……Certainly Bani Israa’eel  (The progeny of Israa’eel) are divided in 72 groups and my Ummat (Nation) will be divided in 73 groups, beside just one group all will go to hell.” The respected Companions (Allaah be pleased with them) said, “Yaa Rasoolal Laah! (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaieka Wa Sallam), Who will be that one group?” So the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) stated “The path on which I am and are my Companions on.” (Tirmizee:2641 , Ibne Maajah: 3992, Abu Daawood: 4597, Miskaat: 171)

Imaam Mullaa Alee Qaari (Allaah have mercy on him) has said that ما انا عليه واصحابى”Maa Anaa ‘Alaiehi Wa As-haabi‘s ” verification is undoubtedly, the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.  It is said the clarification of the statement is like this that the dwellers of Paradise are those who are by belief, by words and by action on the way of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and his Companions. Because without any difference this is well known that the matter on which the Scholars of Islaam agree is the Truth and beside this it is not true.

وعن ابن عمر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” إن الله لا يجمع أمتي أو قال: أمة محمد على ضلالة ويد الله على الجماعة ومن شذ شذ في النار “. . رواه الترمذي

It is stated by Ibne Umar (Allaah be pleased with them) in narrations he have said the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has stated, “Undoubtedly Allaah Ta’aalaa will not unite the Followers of the Muhammad on falsehood and the Have of Allaah is on the Jamaa’at .”

: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «اتبعوا السواد الأعظم فإنه من شذ شذ في النار» . رواه ابن ماجه من حديث أنس

“Follow Sawaad-e-A’zam, besides any person who detaches (by belief or by words or by action from this Jamaa’at) he is separate in fire.  The meaning and translation of this is the person who is detached from his fellow People of Paradise (Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at), he will be placed in the hell.” (Tirmizee: 2167, Kanzul Ul Ummaal: 1029, 1030, Mishkaat :173, 174)

Hazrat Ibne Abbaas (Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has said,   مَنْ فَارَقَ الجَمَاعَةَ شِبْرًا فَمَاتَ، إِلَّا مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً»

“Whoever becomes separate from the Jamaa’at (Ahl-e-Sunnat) even for a span and then dies, he will die as a rebellious sinner.” (Bukhaari: 7054)

The scholar of the opponents of Ahl-e-Sunnat Allaamah Ibne Taimiyyah has written in the interpretation of

يوم تبيض وجوه وتسود وجوه “Yauma Tabyaddu Wujoohun-Wa Taswaddu Wujooh………” (Al Qur’aan, Ch 3, Verse:106)

“Ibne Abbaas (Allaah be pleased with him) states, “On the Day of Judgment Ahl-e-Sunnat faces will be white and their opponent’s faces will be black.”

To be continued…In Shaa Allaah.