Who are the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah (Majority Muslims)?
Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah
(Majority Muslims)
The Khawarij/Wahhabiyya say on how Majority of Muslims became misguided and true Islam was somehow defeated and forced into hiding or suppressed or was among a few people, until...
Mu-hammed Ibn Abdul Wahab Najdi had been sent by God, after 800 years to revive it!
ibn Abdul Wahab Najdi said the following:
‘ The best spoken word that could be said was the cause of a Bedouin coming to us one day saying he had heard something about Islam. He said,’ I bear witness that we were kuffar ( he meant all the desert Arabs) and I bear witness that the guard who came to tell us about things is of the people of Islam’. So the man bore witness that he was an unbeliever.’ Sharah Sittah Mawali’min as Sirah,pp 25-26.
Further said by his son and first successor:
Abdullah Ala sheikh who stated: ‘Indeed major shirk has become the norm for most of these people due to ignorance spreading and knowledge disappearing.” Al –Kalimat un Nafi atu fil Mukaffirat il Waqi’ah,pp. 15-16.
ibn ‘Abd al-Wahhab Najdi claimed that his aim in this school(Wahhabiyyah) of thought he innovated was to make sincere the belief in Allah’s unity (tawhid), and to abjure worshipping false gods (shirk), and that Muslims had been worshipping false gods foreight hundred years, and that he had revived their religion for them. He interpreted Qur’anic verses revealed about worshippers of false gods (mushrikin) as referring to those who worship Allah alone…
The wahhabi/salafi claim is that he is [second to Ibn Taymiyah] the only reviver Allah has sent in eight hundred years of scholarship which contradicts the hadeeth of the Messenger of Allah is which he said:
“Allah will raise for this community at the end of every hundred years the one who will renovate its religion for it.”
[Narrated by Abu Hurayrah, Sunan Abu Dawud, hadeeth no. 2011]
From Sahih Bukhari:
Quote:
X. The words of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, "A group of my community will remain victorious in the truth." They are the people of knowledge.
6881. Qays related from al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, said, "A group of my community will remain victorious until the command of Allah comes upon them while they are victorious." |
Therefore we see the true group will always remain victorious and not be subjected to conspiracy takeover as claimed by the people of bidah (rafidi/Shia and Khawarij/Wahhabiyyah).
The Ahlus Sunnah will always be the one victorious, and this hadith removes any possibility of false group being victorious over the Ahlus Sunnah.
Imam Bukhari explains the victorious group to be the people of knowledge, and hence it is established that the aimmat mujtahids and ulema of Ahlus Sunnah are this group, who would be continuously remaining in victory over others and in truth, and thereby we should cling by this victorious people and group since truth is with them and not with some lone individual that sprung forth at some odd period of Islamic history self labelling themselves with fancy titles(Salafi,AhleHadith,Deobandi/Tablighi Jamaat...etc) claiming to be upon Salaf or Quran and Sunnah, and attempting to reform/change Islam.
The continuous victory of the victorious group is proof that there would be a long continuous tradition for the Ahlus Sunnah and not like the groups that would require skipping the tradition of Imams and ulema and directly jumping to ignorantly interpret Quran and Sunnah by their own whims.
Imam Bukhari explains the victorious group to be the people of knowledge, and hence it is established that the aimmat mujtahids and ulema of Ahlus Sunnah are this group, who would be continuously remaining in victory over others and in truth, and thereby we should cling by this victorious people and group since truth is with them and not with some lone individual that sprung forth at some odd period of Islamic history self labelling themselves with fancy titles(Salafi,AhleHadith,Deobandi/Tablighi Jamaat...etc) claiming to be upon Salaf or Quran and Sunnah, and attempting to reform/change Islam.
The continuous victory of the victorious group is proof that there would be a long continuous tradition for the Ahlus Sunnah and not like the groups that would require skipping the tradition of Imams and ulema and directly jumping to ignorantly interpret Quran and Sunnah by their own whims.
Quote:
6882. Ibn Shihab reported that Humayd told him, "I heard Mu'awiya ibn Abi Sufyan giving a khutba in which he said, 'I heard the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, say, "If Allah desires good for someone, He gives him understanding in the deen. I distribute, but Allah gives. This community will remain straight until the Final Hour comes (or until the Command of Allah comes."'" (Sahih Bukhari)
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Here it says the Islamic community will remain straight until the final hour. Therefore the community or jamaah will be upon Sirat al Mustaqeem. This refutes the Wahhabiyyah theories of people of bidah who claim that the widespread Islamic community went astray or deviated or became innovators or committed shirk and so forth until some sheikh like Nasirudeen Albani and Ibn Baz had to attempt saving the community. On the contrary, the hadith instead proves the community will remain straight.
Quote:
Al-Bukhari and Muslim reported in their Sahihs that Abu Hurayrah said: the Messenger of Allah said:«حِينَ أُسْرِيَ بِي، لَقِيتُ مُوسَى عَلَيهِ السَّلَامُ فَنَعَتَهُ، فَإِذَا رَجُلٌ حَسِبْتُهُ قَالَ مُضْطَرِبٌ رَجِلُ الرَّأْسِ كَأَنَّهُ مِنْ رِجَالِ شَنُوءَةَ، قَالَ:وَلَقِيتُ عِيسَى فَنَعَتَهُ النَّبِيُّصلى الله عليه وسلّم قَالَ رَبْعَةٌ أَحْمَرُ كَأَنَّمَا خَرَجَ مِنْ دِيمَاسٍ يَعْنِي حَمَّامًا، قَالَ وَلَقِيتُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَأَنَا أَشْبَهُ وَلَدِهِ بِهِ، قَالَ: وَأُتِيتُ بِإِنَاءَيْنِ فِي أَحَدِهِمَا لَبَنٌ وَفِي الْآخَرِ خَمْرٌ، قِيلَ لِي: خُذْ أَيَّهُمَا شِئْتَ، فَأَخَذْتُ اللَّبَنَ فَشَرِبْتُ، فَقِيلَ لِي: هُدِيتَ الْفِطْرَةَ أَوْ أَصَبْتَ الْفِطْرَةَ أَمَا إِنَّكَ لَوْ أَخَذْتَ الْخَمْرَ غَوَتْ أُمَّتُك»(When I was taken on the Night Journey, I met Musa.) He described him as a man - I think he said - a curly-haired man, as if he were from the tribe of Shanu'ah. (And I met `Isa.) And the Prophet described him as being of average height, with a reddish complexion, as if he had just come out of the bath. (And I met Ibrahim, and I am the one who resembles him most among his children. I was brought two vessels, one containing milk and the other containing wine. It was said to me, `Take whichever one you want.' So I took the milk and drank it, and it was said to me, `You have been guided to the Fitrah - or - You have chosen the Fitrah. If you had chosen the wine, your Ummah would have gone astray.')'' They also recorded it with another chain of narrators.
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Therefore the community will remain upon Fitra and not be led astray as claimed by the Rafidi and Wahhabiyyah heretical innovators.
Following Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah
(Majority Group- Sawad ul-'Azam)
Hadith
Alaykum bi al-jama`a fa innallaha la yajma`u ummata Muhammadin `ala dalala
Translation : "You have to follow the Congregation for verily Allah will not make the largest group of Muhammad's Community agree on error”
[ Reference : Ibn Abi Shayba relates it with a sound chain as hadith # 354 ]
Hadith
“Allah will never let my Ummah agree upon misguidance, and the hand of Allah is over the group (Jama'ah), so follow the great mass of believers (Sawad ul-'Azam), and whoever dissents from them departs to hell” [al-Hakim (1/116), and al-Dhahabi agreed with him]
Hadith
La yajma`ullahu ummati `ala dalala
"Verily Allah will not make my Community agree on error”
Reference:Tirmidhi with a fair (hasan) chain
Hadith
Inna Allaha la yajma`u ummati -- aw qala: ummata Muhammadin --`ala dalalatin wa yadullahi ma` al-jama`a
"Verily Allah will not make my Community -- or Muhammad's Community -- agree on error, and Allah's hand is with the largest Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi (gharib) #2256, Cairo ed. `Aridat al-ahwadhi (11:9)
Note here that above hadith is called Gharib but a Gharib hadith is not necessarily Daeef, even if we agree it is that Authentic hadith of Imam Hakim [rah] makes it Sahih as wordings are same. WhatWahhabis mostly do is to show only one chain and claim all hadiths are Daeef which is misguiding ignorant people actually.
Hadith
Man arada minkum bi habuhat al-jannati fal yulzim al-jama`at
"Whoever among you wants to be in the middle of Paradise, let him cling to the Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi related it and said it is sound (sahih).
Hadith
Inna al-shaytana dhaybun ka dhayb al-ghanam ya'khudh al-shat al-qasiya wal-najiya fa iyyakum wal-shu`aab wa `alaykum bil-jama`ati wal-`aammati wal-masjid
"Shaytan is a wolf like the wolf that preys on sheep, taking the isolated and the stray among them; therefore, avoid factionalism and keep to the Congregation and the collective and the masjid."
Reference: Ahmad relates it through Mu`adh and through Abu Dharr, the two chains being respectively fair [hasan] and sound [sahih] according to Haythami in Majma` al-zawa'id 6/123]
Hadith
Inna ummati la tajtami`u `ala dalalatin fa idha ra'aytum al-ikhtilaf fa `alaykum bi al-sawad al-a`zam.
"My Community shall never agree upon misguidance, therefore, if you see divergences, you must follow the greater mass or larger group”
References:
Ibn Majah (2:1303 #3950) from Anas with a weak chain.
Imam Ahmad narrates it mawquf through three sound chains to Abu Umama al-Bahili and Ibn Abi Awfa. However, it is marfu` to the Prophet from Abu Umama by Ibn Abi Shayba in his Musannaf as well as Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, the latter two's narration stating that Abu Umama heard this from the Prophet up to seven times. Bayhaqi in al-Madkhal narrates something similar from Ibn `Abbas.
Above hadith came from multiple chains, one daeef [weak] and three other Sahih ones.
Hadith
Lan tajtami`a ummati `ala dalalatin fa `alaykum bi al-jama`ati fa inna yadullahi `ala al-jama`a.
"My Community shall not agree upon misguidance. Therefore, you must stay with the Congregation, and Allah's hand is over the Congregation.
Reference: Tabarani narrated it with two chains from Ibn `Umar, one of which is sound (sahih). See Haythami, Majma` al-zawa'id, chapter on the obligation to stay with the Congregation.
Hadith
Innallaha qad ajara ummati min an tajtami`a `ala dalala
"Verily Allah has protected my Community from agreeing upon error."
[Ibn Abi `Asim narrated it in the Sunna and Wahabi so called mujtahid Albani declared it hasan in his Silsila sahiha (3:319).]
Hadith
Sahih Bukhari Book 56 Hadith 803
Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:
Alaykum bi al-jama`a fa innallaha la yajma`u ummata Muhammadin `ala dalala
Translation : "You have to follow the Congregation for verily Allah will not make the largest group of Muhammad's Community agree on error”
[ Reference : Ibn Abi Shayba relates it with a sound chain as hadith # 354 ]
Hadith
“Allah will never let my Ummah agree upon misguidance, and the hand of Allah is over the group (Jama'ah), so follow the great mass of believers (Sawad ul-'Azam), and whoever dissents from them departs to hell” [al-Hakim (1/116), and al-Dhahabi agreed with him]
Hadith
La yajma`ullahu ummati `ala dalala
"Verily Allah will not make my Community agree on error”
Reference:Tirmidhi with a fair (hasan) chain
Hadith
Inna Allaha la yajma`u ummati -- aw qala: ummata Muhammadin --`ala dalalatin wa yadullahi ma` al-jama`a
"Verily Allah will not make my Community -- or Muhammad's Community -- agree on error, and Allah's hand is with the largest Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi (gharib) #2256, Cairo ed. `Aridat al-ahwadhi (11:9)
Note here that above hadith is called Gharib but a Gharib hadith is not necessarily Daeef, even if we agree it is that Authentic hadith of Imam Hakim [rah] makes it Sahih as wordings are same. WhatWahhabis mostly do is to show only one chain and claim all hadiths are Daeef which is misguiding ignorant people actually.
Hadith
Man arada minkum bi habuhat al-jannati fal yulzim al-jama`at
"Whoever among you wants to be in the middle of Paradise, let him cling to the Congregation."
Reference : Tirmidhi related it and said it is sound (sahih).
Hadith
Inna al-shaytana dhaybun ka dhayb al-ghanam ya'khudh al-shat al-qasiya wal-najiya fa iyyakum wal-shu`aab wa `alaykum bil-jama`ati wal-`aammati wal-masjid
"Shaytan is a wolf like the wolf that preys on sheep, taking the isolated and the stray among them; therefore, avoid factionalism and keep to the Congregation and the collective and the masjid."
Reference: Ahmad relates it through Mu`adh and through Abu Dharr, the two chains being respectively fair [hasan] and sound [sahih] according to Haythami in Majma` al-zawa'id 6/123]
Hadith
Inna ummati la tajtami`u `ala dalalatin fa idha ra'aytum al-ikhtilaf fa `alaykum bi al-sawad al-a`zam.
"My Community shall never agree upon misguidance, therefore, if you see divergences, you must follow the greater mass or larger group”
References:
Ibn Majah (2:1303 #3950) from Anas with a weak chain.
Imam Ahmad narrates it mawquf through three sound chains to Abu Umama al-Bahili and Ibn Abi Awfa. However, it is marfu` to the Prophet from Abu Umama by Ibn Abi Shayba in his Musannaf as well as Ibn Jarir al-Tabari, the latter two's narration stating that Abu Umama heard this from the Prophet up to seven times. Bayhaqi in al-Madkhal narrates something similar from Ibn `Abbas.
Above hadith came from multiple chains, one daeef [weak] and three other Sahih ones.
Hadith
Lan tajtami`a ummati `ala dalalatin fa `alaykum bi al-jama`ati fa inna yadullahi `ala al-jama`a.
"My Community shall not agree upon misguidance. Therefore, you must stay with the Congregation, and Allah's hand is over the Congregation.
Reference: Tabarani narrated it with two chains from Ibn `Umar, one of which is sound (sahih). See Haythami, Majma` al-zawa'id, chapter on the obligation to stay with the Congregation.
Hadith
Innallaha qad ajara ummati min an tajtami`a `ala dalala
"Verily Allah has protected my Community from agreeing upon error."
[Ibn Abi `Asim narrated it in the Sunna and Wahabi so called mujtahid Albani declared it hasan in his Silsila sahiha (3:319).]
Hadith
Sahih Bukhari Book 56 Hadith 803
Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al-Yaman:
[...]
,
..... He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language (i.e Arabic) " I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?"
He said, "Adhere to the CONGREGATION OF MUSLIMS and their Chief." I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor a chief (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allah while you are still in that state."
So if Congregation of Muslims [Sawad us Adham ] is not available one is advised to keep away from all smaller sectsaccording to Sahih Bukhari.
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`a
"Allah's hand is over the group."
[Sunan Tirmidhi , Hadith termed hasan]
al-Munawi said: "Allah's hand is over the group means His protection and preservation for them, signifying that the collectively 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. Whoever diverges from the overwhelming majority concerning what is lawful and unlawful and on which the Community does not differ has slipped off the path of guidance and this will lead him to hell.
[al-Munawi, Sharh al-Jami` al-saghir 3:449]
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`at wa man shadhdha shadhdha ila al-nar.
"Allah's hand is over the group, and whoever dissents from them departs to hell”
[Tirmidhi (gharib) from Ibn `Umar, al-Hakim both from Ibn `Umar and Ibn `Abbas, and Ibn Jarir from Ibn `Umar.]
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`a, ittabi`u al-sawad al-a`zam fa innahu man shadhdha shadhdha ila al-nar.
"Allah's hand is over the group, follow the largest mass, for verily whoever dissents from them departs to hell”
[ Narrated by al-Hakim and al-Tabari from Ibn `Abbas, and al-Lalika'i in al-Sunna and al-Hakim also narrated it from Ibn `Umar.]
Hadith
Man faraqa al-jama`ata shibran mata maytatan Jahiliyya.
"Whoever leaves the Community or separates himself from it by the length of a span, dies the death of the Jahiliyya (period of ignorance prior to Islam)"
[Sahih Muslim (Imara #55) through Ibn `Abbas. Muslim relates it with slight variations through three more chains. Ibn Abi Shayba also relates it in his Musannaf.]
Hadith
“Abu Ghalib said that during the crisis with the Khawarij in Damascus he saw Abu Umama one day and he was crying. He asked him what made him cry and he replied:
,
..... He said, "Yes, there will be some people who will invite others to the doors of Hell, and whoever accepts their invitation to it will be thrown in it (by them)." I said, "O Allah's Apostle! Describe those people to us." He said, "They will belong to us and speak our language (i.e Arabic) " I asked, "What do you order me to do if such a thing should take place in my life?"
He said, "Adhere to the CONGREGATION OF MUSLIMS and their Chief." I asked, "If there is neither a group (of Muslims) nor a chief (what shall I do)?" He said, "Keep away from all those different sects, even if you had to bite (i.e. eat) the root of a tree, till you meet Allah while you are still in that state."
So if Congregation of Muslims [Sawad us Adham ] is not available one is advised to keep away from all smaller sectsaccording to Sahih Bukhari.
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`a
"Allah's hand is over the group."
[Sunan Tirmidhi , Hadith termed hasan]
al-Munawi said: "Allah's hand is over the group means His protection and preservation for them, signifying that the collectively 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. Whoever diverges from the overwhelming majority concerning what is lawful and unlawful and on which the Community does not differ has slipped off the path of guidance and this will lead him to hell.
[al-Munawi, Sharh al-Jami` al-saghir 3:449]
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`at wa man shadhdha shadhdha ila al-nar.
"Allah's hand is over the group, and whoever dissents from them departs to hell”
[Tirmidhi (gharib) from Ibn `Umar, al-Hakim both from Ibn `Umar and Ibn `Abbas, and Ibn Jarir from Ibn `Umar.]
Hadith
Yadu Allah `ala al-jama`a, ittabi`u al-sawad al-a`zam fa innahu man shadhdha shadhdha ila al-nar.
"Allah's hand is over the group, follow the largest mass, for verily whoever dissents from them departs to hell”
[ Narrated by al-Hakim and al-Tabari from Ibn `Abbas, and al-Lalika'i in al-Sunna and al-Hakim also narrated it from Ibn `Umar.]
Hadith
Man faraqa al-jama`ata shibran mata maytatan Jahiliyya.
"Whoever leaves the Community or separates himself from it by the length of a span, dies the death of the Jahiliyya (period of ignorance prior to Islam)"
[Sahih Muslim (Imara #55) through Ibn `Abbas. Muslim relates it with slight variations through three more chains. Ibn Abi Shayba also relates it in his Musannaf.]
Hadith
“Abu Ghalib said that during the crisis with the Khawarij in Damascus he saw Abu Umama one day and he was crying. He asked him what made him cry and he replied:
"They followed our religion," then he mentioned what was going to happen to them tomorrow. Abu Ghalib said: "Are you saying this according to your opinion or from something you heard the Prophet say?" Abu Umama said: "What I just told you I did not hear from the Prophet only once, or twice, or three times, but more than seven times. Did you not read this verse in Al `Imran: The day faces will be white and faces will be dark..."? (3:106) to the end of the verse. Then he said: I heard the Prophet say: "The Jews separated into 71 sects, 70 of which are in the fire; the Christians into 72 sects, 71 of which are in the fire; and this Community will separate into 73 sects, all of them are in the fire except one which will enter Paradise." We said: "Describe it for us." He said: " The Sawad al-a`zam [the majority group ] ."
[Reference : Haythami said in Majma` al-zawa'id: Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu`jam al-kabir and al-Awsat, and its all narrators are trustworthy (thiqat) This hadith is Sahih ]
Hadith
Sataftariqu ummati `ala thalathat wa sab`ina firqatin kulluhum fil nari ila millatin wahidat, qalu man hiya ya rasulallah, qala ma ana `alayhi wa as-habi
"My Community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the fire except one group. They asked: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Those that follow my way and that of my companions."
[ Sunan tirmidhi 18:2650, sunan Abu Dawud, and al-Darimi related it.]
Hadith
What is meaning of word Sawad us Azam according to Sahih hadiths itself
لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِالنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَعَلَ يَمُرُّ بِالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَمَعَهُمْ الْقَوْمُ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَمَعَهُمْ الرَّهْطُ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى مَرَّ بِسَوَادٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ مُوسَى وَقَوْمُهُ وَلَكَنِ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ فَانْظُرْ قَالَ فَإِذَا سَوَادٌ عَظِيمٌ قَدْ سَدَّ الْأُفُقَ مِنْ ذَا الْجَانِبِ وَمِنْ ذَا الْجَانِبِ فَقِيلَ هَؤُلَاءِ أُمَّتُكَ وَسِوَى هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ فَدَخَلَ وَلَمْ يَسْأَلُوهُ وَلَمْ يُفَسِّرْ لَهُمْ فَقَالُوا نَحْنُ هُمْ وَقَالَ قَائِلُونَ هُمْ أَبْنَاؤُنَا الَّذِينَ وُلِدُوا عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ هُمْ الَّذِينَ لَا يَكْتَوُونَ وَلَا يَسْتَرْقُونَ وَلَا يَتَطَيَّرُونَ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ فَقَامَ عُكَّاشَةُ بْنُ مِحْصَنٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا مِنْهُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَامَ آخَرُ فَقَالَ أَنَا مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ سَبَقَكَ بِهَا عُكَّاشَةُ
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: When the Prophet (S) was taken to the (heavens for the) Mi’raj, he passed by a Prophet and Prophets with whom were a group of people, a Prophet and Prophets with whom was a raht, a Prophet and Prophets with whom was nobody till he passed by a great multitude (sawad us azam) . He asked. “Who is this?” He was told, “Musa and his people, but raise your head and see.”
He said, “I saw a great multitude that had plugged the horizon from this side barricaded the horizon from that side.” He was told, “These are you ummah and apart from these there are seventy thousand of your ummah who will enter paradise without any accounting.” Then he came (home) and they did not ask him and he did not explain to them. They said (to one another), “We are among them.” And some said, “they are the children born on nature and on Islam.’ The Prophet came out and said, “They are those who do not have themselves cauterised or treated with incantation (charms) , or believe in omens, but on their Lord do they rely.Ukashah ibn Mihsan got up and said, “Am I one of them,O Messenger of , “Yes.” Then another came and asked, “Am I one of them?” He said, “Ukashah overtook you in that.”
[Sahih Bukhari 5752,Sahih Muslim 220, Ahmed 2448, sunan tirmidhi 17:2454]
Hadith
The Messenger (SalAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said;
إفترقت اليهود على احدى وسبعين فرقة،
وافترقت النصارة على إثنتين وسبعين فرقة،
وتفترق أمتي على ثلاث وسبعين فرقة
“The Jews were divided among themselves into seventy one or seventy two sects, and the Christians were divided among themselves into seventy one or seventy two sects. And My Ummah will be divided among itself into seventy three sects.”
[ Abu Dawud Book (Kitab Al-Sunnah) #40 ,Hadith # 4579 ,
, sunan al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim and musnad Ahmad among several others, reported this Hadith. At-Tirmidhi said; “Hadeethun Hassanun Sahih”. ]
Hadith
In another variation, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu `Amir `Abdullah bin Luhay said; "We performed Hajj with Mu`awiyah bin Abi Sufyan. When we arrived at Makkah, he stood up after praying Dhuhr and said; ‘The Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu alaihi wasallam) said;
إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابَيْنِ افْتَرَقُوا فِي دِينِهِمْ عَلى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، وَإِنَّ هذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ سَتَفْتَرِقُ عَلى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً يَعْنِي الْأَهْوَاءَ كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا وَاحِدَةً وَهِيَ الْجَمَاعَةُ وَإِنَّهُ سَيَخْرُجُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ تَجَارَى بِهِمْ تِلْكَ الْأَهْوَاءُ كَمَا يَتَجَارَى الْكَلَبُ بِصَاحِبِه، لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهُ عِرْقٌ وَلَا مَفْصِلٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَه
‘The People of the Two Scriptures divided into seventy-two sects. This Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all in the Fire except one, that is, the Jama’ah. Some of my Ummah will be guided by desire, like one who is infected by rabies; no vein or joint will be saved from these desires.’’”
ثنتان وسبعون في النار. قيل: يا رسول الله
من هم؟ قال: الجماعة
“Seventy two in hell fire and one in the Jannah: that is the 'Jama’ah.'”
[ Abu Dawood (2/503), Ahmad (4/102) and al-Haakim (1/128)] among others, with similar wording but with the following addition ]
From above Hadiths following things can be seen
► The hadith of Sawad us Azam [following majority] comes from several chains. From many Sahih chains and few weak , Please be careful because Wahabis [salafis] misquote and show only Daeef chains to misguide others where as if same words are present in Sahih chains or hasan ones than Daeef hadith itself is termed as Sahih.
► The term Congregation [jama'h] and Sawad us Azam [ largest group] are used to define same group of Muslims which will be on right path.
► The Largest group or congregation of Muslims will follow Quran and Sunnah and way of Sahabas [ra] as well. Like Ahlus Sunnah does.
[Reference : Haythami said in Majma` al-zawa'id: Tabarani narrated it in al-Mu`jam al-kabir and al-Awsat, and its all narrators are trustworthy (thiqat) This hadith is Sahih ]
Hadith
Sataftariqu ummati `ala thalathat wa sab`ina firqatin kulluhum fil nari ila millatin wahidat, qalu man hiya ya rasulallah, qala ma ana `alayhi wa as-habi
"My Community will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the fire except one group. They asked: Who are they, O Messenger of Allah? He said: Those that follow my way and that of my companions."
[ Sunan tirmidhi 18:2650, sunan Abu Dawud, and al-Darimi related it.]
Hadith
What is meaning of word Sawad us Azam according to Sahih hadiths itself
لَمَّا أُسْرِيَ بِالنَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ جَعَلَ يَمُرُّ بِالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَمَعَهُمْ الْقَوْمُ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَمَعَهُمْ الرَّهْطُ وَالنَّبِيِّ وَالنَّبِيَّيْنِ وَلَيْسَ مَعَهُمْ أَحَدٌ حَتَّى مَرَّ بِسَوَادٍ عَظِيمٍ فَقُلْتُ مَنْ هَذَا قِيلَ مُوسَى وَقَوْمُهُ وَلَكَنِ ارْفَعْ رَأْسَكَ فَانْظُرْ قَالَ فَإِذَا سَوَادٌ عَظِيمٌ قَدْ سَدَّ الْأُفُقَ مِنْ ذَا الْجَانِبِ وَمِنْ ذَا الْجَانِبِ فَقِيلَ هَؤُلَاءِ أُمَّتُكَ وَسِوَى هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ أُمَّتِكَ سَبْعُونَ أَلْفًا يَدْخُلُونَ الْجَنَّةَ بِغَيْرِ حِسَابٍ فَدَخَلَ وَلَمْ يَسْأَلُوهُ وَلَمْ يُفَسِّرْ لَهُمْ فَقَالُوا نَحْنُ هُمْ وَقَالَ قَائِلُونَ هُمْ أَبْنَاؤُنَا الَّذِينَ وُلِدُوا عَلَى الْفِطْرَةِ وَالْإِسْلَامِ فَخَرَجَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فَقَالَ هُمْ الَّذِينَ لَا يَكْتَوُونَ وَلَا يَسْتَرْقُونَ وَلَا يَتَطَيَّرُونَ وَعَلَى رَبِّهِمْ يَتَوَكَّلُونَ فَقَامَ عُكَّاشَةُ بْنُ مِحْصَنٍ فَقَالَ أَنَا مِنْهُمْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ قَالَ نَعَمْ ثُمَّ قَامَ آخَرُ فَقَالَ أَنَا مِنْهُمْ فَقَالَ سَبَقَكَ بِهَا عُكَّاشَةُ
Sayyidina Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated: When the Prophet (S) was taken to the (heavens for the) Mi’raj, he passed by a Prophet and Prophets with whom were a group of people, a Prophet and Prophets with whom was a raht, a Prophet and Prophets with whom was nobody till he passed by a great multitude (sawad us azam) . He asked. “Who is this?” He was told, “Musa and his people, but raise your head and see.”
He said, “I saw a great multitude that had plugged the horizon from this side barricaded the horizon from that side.” He was told, “These are you ummah and apart from these there are seventy thousand of your ummah who will enter paradise without any accounting.” Then he came (home) and they did not ask him and he did not explain to them. They said (to one another), “We are among them.” And some said, “they are the children born on nature and on Islam.’ The Prophet came out and said, “They are those who do not have themselves cauterised or treated with incantation (charms) , or believe in omens, but on their Lord do they rely.Ukashah ibn Mihsan got up and said, “Am I one of them,O Messenger of , “Yes.” Then another came and asked, “Am I one of them?” He said, “Ukashah overtook you in that.”
[Sahih Bukhari 5752,Sahih Muslim 220, Ahmed 2448, sunan tirmidhi 17:2454]
Hadith
The Messenger (SalAllahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said;
إفترقت اليهود على احدى وسبعين فرقة،
وافترقت النصارة على إثنتين وسبعين فرقة،
وتفترق أمتي على ثلاث وسبعين فرقة
“The Jews were divided among themselves into seventy one or seventy two sects, and the Christians were divided among themselves into seventy one or seventy two sects. And My Ummah will be divided among itself into seventy three sects.”
[ Abu Dawud Book (Kitab Al-Sunnah) #40 ,Hadith # 4579 ,
, sunan al-Tirmidhi, al-Hakim and musnad Ahmad among several others, reported this Hadith. At-Tirmidhi said; “Hadeethun Hassanun Sahih”. ]
Hadith
In another variation, Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu `Amir `Abdullah bin Luhay said; "We performed Hajj with Mu`awiyah bin Abi Sufyan. When we arrived at Makkah, he stood up after praying Dhuhr and said; ‘The Messenger of Allah (SalAllahu alaihi wasallam) said;
إِنَّ أَهْلَ الْكِتَابَيْنِ افْتَرَقُوا فِي دِينِهِمْ عَلى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، وَإِنَّ هذِهِ الْأُمَّةَ سَتَفْتَرِقُ عَلى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً يَعْنِي الْأَهْوَاءَ كُلُّهَا فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا وَاحِدَةً وَهِيَ الْجَمَاعَةُ وَإِنَّهُ سَيَخْرُجُ فِي أُمَّتِي أَقْوَامٌ تَجَارَى بِهِمْ تِلْكَ الْأَهْوَاءُ كَمَا يَتَجَارَى الْكَلَبُ بِصَاحِبِه، لَا يَبْقَى مِنْهُ عِرْقٌ وَلَا مَفْصِلٌ إِلَّا دَخَلَه
‘The People of the Two Scriptures divided into seventy-two sects. This Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects, all in the Fire except one, that is, the Jama’ah. Some of my Ummah will be guided by desire, like one who is infected by rabies; no vein or joint will be saved from these desires.’’”
ثنتان وسبعون في النار. قيل: يا رسول الله
من هم؟ قال: الجماعة
“Seventy two in hell fire and one in the Jannah: that is the 'Jama’ah.'”
[ Abu Dawood (2/503), Ahmad (4/102) and al-Haakim (1/128)] among others, with similar wording but with the following addition ]
From above Hadiths following things can be seen
► The hadith of Sawad us Azam [following majority] comes from several chains. From many Sahih chains and few weak , Please be careful because Wahabis [salafis] misquote and show only Daeef chains to misguide others where as if same words are present in Sahih chains or hasan ones than Daeef hadith itself is termed as Sahih.
► The term Congregation [jama'h] and Sawad us Azam [ largest group] are used to define same group of Muslims which will be on right path.
► The Largest group or congregation of Muslims will follow Quran and Sunnah and way of Sahabas [ra] as well. Like Ahlus Sunnah does.
Who is "Ahlus Sunnah" today
(Majority Group)?
In India they are more than 60-70%, also Sunnis following similar Aqeeda like:
Shaykh GF Haddad, Nuh ha Meem Keller, Sheikh Nizim ud din Haqqani , Pir Saif us Rehman Mubarak , Mufti Akhtar Raza khan , Shah turab ul Haq, Moulana Ilyas Qadri , Moulana Okarvi , Dr Tahir ul Qadri and many many other leading scholars from around the world under whom millions of sunnis learn Islam today from Naqshbandi, Chisti, Qadri, Shadli, Suharwardia silsilas and so many more have same aqeeda around the world and are Ahlus Sunnah [sunni muslims]
In India-Pakistan only Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammat [Sufi/Barelwi Sunni movement ] is more than 50% check following link for proof:Here
Hanafis, Shafis, Malikis, Hanbalis [all muqalids], and all Sufi silsilas who have same Aqeeda [beliefs] live all around the world and follow Ahlus Sunnah, Alhamduliallah
Now a Reply to confusion regarding Quranic verses with proper context
First of all we have to agree that there is No CONTRADICTION IN QURAN AND SAHIH HADITHS.
In India-Pakistan only Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammat [Sufi/Barelwi Sunni movement ] is more than 50% check following link for proof:Here
Hanafis, Shafis, Malikis, Hanbalis [all muqalids], and all Sufi silsilas who have same Aqeeda [beliefs] live all around the world and follow Ahlus Sunnah, Alhamduliallah
Now a Reply to confusion regarding Quranic verses with proper context
First of all we have to agree that there is No CONTRADICTION IN QURAN AND SAHIH HADITHS.
To understand Quran in correct perspective we to follow Sahih hadiths and Classical Authentic tafsirs of Al Quran. Once we put all of these together Inshallah everything will not only be cleared but also all confusions will be eliminated too
First I would like to Quote a Hadith about what Khawarijies do and how they are the worst creations of Mankind
Sahih Hadith states
وكان ابن عمر يراهم شرار خلق الله وقال إنهم انطلقوا إلى آيات نزلت في الكفار فجعلوها على المؤمنين
"Ibn Umar considered the Khawarij and the heretics as the worst beings in creation, and he said: They went to verses which were revealed about the disbelievers and applied them to the Believers.
Bukhari Chapter Khawarjites
Ibn Hajr al Asqalani (rah) said in Fath ul Bari: قلت : وسنده صحيح That its sanad is sahih
Source: Here
First I would like to Quote a Hadith about what Khawarijies do and how they are the worst creations of Mankind
Sahih Hadith states
وكان ابن عمر يراهم شرار خلق الله وقال إنهم انطلقوا إلى آيات نزلت في الكفار فجعلوها على المؤمنين
"Ibn Umar considered the Khawarij and the heretics as the worst beings in creation, and he said: They went to verses which were revealed about the disbelievers and applied them to the Believers.
Bukhari Chapter Khawarjites
Ibn Hajr al Asqalani (rah) said in Fath ul Bari: قلت : وسنده صحيح That its sanad is sahih
Source: Here
Now anyone who quotes verses of Quran revealed for kafirs and applies them on Muslims is a Khawariji /Wahhabiyah
Now let us analyze all Quran verses revealed on Issue of sects inshallah
Misquotation of Quranic Verse:
"As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no part of them in the least. Their affair is with Allah; He will in the end tell them the truth of all that they did."
AlQuran(6:159)
Tafsir al jalalayn says[ * تفسير تفسير الجلالين/ المحلي و السيوطي (ت المحلي 864 هـ) مصنف و مدقق ]
{ ٱلْحَمْدُ للَّهِ } جملة خبرية قصد بها الثناء على الله بمضمونها من أنه تعالى مالك: لجميع الحمد من الخلق أو مستحق لأن يحمدوه و(الله) علم على المعبود بحق { رَبّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ } أي مالك جميع الخلق من الإنس والجنّ والملائكة والدواب وغيرهم وكل منها يطلق عليه عالم، يقال: عالم الإنس وعالم الجنّ إلى غير ذلك. وغلب في جمعه بالياء والنون أولو العلم على غيرهم وهو من العلامة لأنه علامة على موجده.
Those who have sundered their religion, by being at variance over it, accepting some [aspects] of it and rejecting others, and have become differing parties, sects with regard to such [matters] (a variant reading [for farraqū, ‘they have sundered’] has fāraqū, meaning that they have abandoned the religion to which they were enjoined, and they are the Jews and the Christians), you have no concern with them at all, in other words, do not be concerned with them. Their case will go to God — He will take charge of it — then He will inform them, in the Hereafter, of what they used to do, and requite them for it: this was abrogated by the ‘sword’ verse [Q. 9:5].
Arabic source: Here
Tafsir Ibn Khatir says:
قال مجاهد وقتادة والضحاك والسدي: نزلت هذه الآية في اليهود والنصارى. وقال العوفي عن ابن عباس في قوله: { إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعًا }: وذلك أن اليهود والنصارى اختلفوا قبل مبعث محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فتفرقوا، فلما بعث محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم أنزل الله عليه
Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said that this Ayah was revealed about the Jews and Christians. Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas commented,
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعًا﴾
(Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects...) "Before Muhammad was sent, the Jews and Christians disputed and divided into sects. When Muhammad was sent, Allah revealed to him,
Arabic source: Here
So this verse is revealed for Kafirs who left Islam and divided into deviant sects
Misquotation of Quranic Verse :
"Surely, this brotherhood of yours is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher. Therefore serve me and no other. But they broke their religion into sects among them; yet they will all return to Us." AlQuran(21:92-93)
Tafsir al-Jalalayn says:
{ إِنَّ هَٰذِهِ } أي ملة الإِسلام { أُمَّتُكُمْ } دينكم أيها المخاطبون: أي يجب أن تكونوا عليها { أُمَّةً وَاحِدَةً } حال لازمة { وَأَنَاْ رَبُّكُمْ فَٱعْبُدُونِ } وحِّدونِ.
But they, that is to say, some of those being addressed, fragmented their affair among themselves, that is, they became divided in the matter of their religion, and at variance over it — these are the [different] sects of the Jews and the Christians. God, exalted be He, says: All shall return to Us, and We will requite each according to his deeds.
[* تفسير تفسير الجلالين/ المحلي و السيوطي (ت المحلي 864 هـ) مصنف و مدقق]
Arabic source: Here
So this verse is revealed for Kafirs who left Islam and divided into deviant sects as well.
Misquotation of Quranic Verse:
"And surely this brotherhood of your is a single brotherhood, and I am your Lord and Cherisher. Therefore fear Me and no other. But people have broken their religion into sects, each group rejoicing in that which is with them. But leave them in their confused ignorance for a time."
AlQuran(23:52-54)
Tafsir al jalayn says:
{ فَتَقَطَّعُواْ } أي الأتباع { أَمَرَهُمْ } دينهم { بَيْنَهُمْ زُبُراً } حال من فاعل «تقطعوا» أي أحزاباً متخالفين كاليهود والنصارى وغيرهم { كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ } أي عندهم من الدين { فَرِحُونَ } مسرورون.
But they, the followers, split into sects regarding their affair, their religion (zuburan, ‘sects’, is a circumstantial qualifier of the subject of the verb taqatta‘ū, ‘they split’), in other words, [they became] opposing parties, the likes of the Jews and the Christians and others, each party rejoicing in, exultant with, what they had, that is, with the religion they had.
[* تفسير تفسير الجلالين/ المحلي و السيوطي (ت المحلي 864 هـ) مصنف و مدقق ]
Arabic source: Here
This is for disbelievers too, nothing for Muslim in the verse!
Misquotation of Quranic verse :
"Turn back in repentance to Him, and fear Him. Establish regular prayers, and be not among those who ascribe partners to God -- those who split up their religion, and become mere sects, each party rejoicing in that which is with itself!" AlQuran(30:31-32)
Tafsir al jalalayn says:
{ مُّنِيبِينَ } راجعين { إِلَيْهِ } تعالى بما أمر به ونهى عنه حال من فاعل (أقم) وما أريد به، أي أقيموا { وَٱتَّقُوهُ } خافوه { وَأَقِيمُواْ ٱلصَّلوٰةَ وَلاَ تَكُونُواْ مِنَ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ }.
{ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ } بدل بإعادة الجار { فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ } باختلافهم فيما يعبدونه { وَكَانُواْ شِيَعاً } فِرَقاً في ذلك { كُلُّ حِزْبٍ } منهم { بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ } عندهم { فَرِحُونَ } مسرورون، وفي قراءة «فارقوا» أي تركوا دينهم الذي أُمروا به.
turning, referring, to Him, exalted be He, concerning what He has commanded and what He has forbidden (munībīna, ‘turning’ is a circumstantial qualifier referring to the subject [of the verb] aqim, ‘set up’, in other words [addressing the third plural person] aqīmū, ‘set up’) and fear Him and establish prayer and do not be among the idolaters,[of] those (mina’lladhīna is a substitution [for al-mushrikīna, ‘idolaters’] using the same operator of the oblique [min]) who have divided up their religion, by being at variance over what they worship, and have become [dissenting] factions, sects divided over this [matter], each party, among them, rejoicing, delighting, in what they have (a variant reading [for farraqū] is fāraqū, in other words, ‘of those who have parted with the religion to which they have been commanded’).
[* تفسير تفسير الجلالين/ المحلي و السيوطي (ت المحلي 864 هـ) مصنف و مدقق ]
Arabic source: Here
Tafsir Ibn Khatir proves again this is for Idols and kafirs
{ مِنَ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعاً كُلُّ حِزْبٍ بِمَا لَدَيْهِمْ فَرِحُونَ } أي: لا تكونوا من المشركين الذين قد فرقوا دينهم، أي: بدلوه وغيروه، وآمنوا ببعض، وكفروا ببعض، وقرأ بعضهم: (فارقوا دينهم)، أي: تركوه وراء ظهورهم، وهؤلاء كاليهود والنصارى والمجوس وعبدة الأوثان، وسائر أهل الأديان الباطلة مما عدا أهل الإسلام؛ كما قال تعالى
(Of those who Farraqu Dinahum (split up their religion), and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.) means, do not be of the idolators who split up their religion, i.e., changed it by believing in parts of it and rejecting other parts. Some scholars read this as Faraqu Dinahum, meaning "neglected their religion and left it behind them.'' These are like the Jews, Christians, Zoroastrians, idol worshippers and all the followers of false religions, besides the followers of Islam, :
Then Ibn Khatir says if tafsir of same verse : Follow Ahlus sunnah group [sawad us adham only]
[الأنعام: 159] الآية، فأهل الأديان قبلنا اختلفوا فيما بينهم على آراء ومثل باطلة، وكل فرقة منهم تزعم أنهم على شيء، وهذه الأمة أيضاً اختلفوا فيما بينهم على نحل، كلها ضلالة إلا واحدة، وهم أهل السنة والجماعة، المتمسكون بكتاب الله وسنة رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم وبما كان عليه الصدر الأول من الصحابة والتابعين وأئمة المسلمين في قديم الدهر وحديثه، كما رواه الحاكم في " مستدركه ": أنه سئل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم عن الفرقة الناجية منهم فقال:
(Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects, you have no concern in them in the least. Their affair is only with Allah) (6:159). The followers of the religions before us had differences of opinions and split into false sects, each group claiming to be following the truth. This Ummah too has split into sects, all of which are misguided apart from one, which is Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama`ah, those who adhere to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah and what was followed by the first generations, the Companions, their followers, and the Imams of the Muslims of earlier and later times. In his Mustadrak, Al-Hakim recorded that the Messenger of Allah was asked which of the sects was the saved sect and he said:
[* تفسير تفسير القرآن الكريم/ ابن كثير (ت 774 هـ) مصنف و مدقق ]
Arabic source: Here
Misquotation of Quranic verse :
“As for those who divide their religion and break up into sects, thou hast 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.”
[Al-Qur'an 6:159]
Tafsir al jalalayn :
{ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ } باختلافهم فيه فأخذوا بعضه وتركوا بعضه { وَكَانُواْ شِيَعاً } فرقاً في ذلك. وفي قراءة «فارقوا» أي تركوا دينهم الذي أمروا به وهم اليهود والنصارى { لَّسْتَ مِنْهُمْ فِى شَىْءٍ } أي فلا تتعرّض لهم { إِنَّمَا أَمْرُهُمْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ } يتولاه { ثُمَّ يُنَبِّئُهُم } في الآخرة { بِمَا كَانُواْ يَفْعَلُونَ } فيجازيهم به، وهذا منسوخ بآية السيف[5:9].
Those who have sundered their religion, by being at variance over it, accepting some [aspects] of it and rejecting others, and have become differing parties, sects with regard to such [matters] (a variant reading [for farraqū, ‘they have sundered’] has fāraqū, meaning that they have abandoned the religion to which they were enjoined, and they are the Jews and the Christians), you have no concern with them at all, in other words, do not be concerned with them. Their case will go to God — He will take charge of it — then He will inform them, in the Hereafter, of what they used to do, and requite them for it: this was abrogated by the ‘sword’ verse [Q. 9:5].
Arabic link: Here
Tafsir Ibn Khatir says on this verse:
قال مجاهد وقتادة والضحاك والسدي: نزلت هذه الآية في اليهود والنصارى. وقال العوفي عن ابن عباس في قوله: { إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ فَرَّقُواْ دِينَهُمْ وَكَانُواْ شِيَعًا }: وذلك أن اليهود والنصارى اختلفوا قبل مبعث محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم فتفرقوا، فلما بعث محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم أنزل الله عليه
Mujahid, Qatadah, Ad-Dahhak and As-Suddi said that this Ayah was revealed about the Jews and Christians. Al-`Awfi said that Ibn `Abbas commented,
(Verily, those who divide their religion and break up into sects...) "Before Muhammad was sent, the Jews and Christians disputed and divided into sects. When Muhammad was sent, Allah revealed to him,
Arabic link: Here
Misquotation of Quranic Verse :
“Truly Pharaoh elated himself in the land and broke up its people into sects … for he was indeed a maker of mischief.” (Quran, 28:4)
Tafsir al jalalyn:
{ إِنَّ فِرْعَوْنَ عَلاَ } تعظّم { فِى ٱلأَرْضِ } أرض مصر { وَجَعَلَ أَهْلَهَا شِيَعاً } فِرَقاً في خدمته { يَسْتَضْعِفُ طَآئِفَةً مِّنْهُمْ } هم بنو إسرائيل { يُذَبِّحُ أَبْنَآءَهُمْ } المولودين { وَيَسْتَحِى نِسَآءَهُم } يستبقيهنّ أحياء، لقول بعض الكهنة له: إنّ مولوداً يولد في بني إسرائيل يكون سبب زوال ملكك { إِنَّهُ كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُفْسِدِينَ } بالقتل وغيره
Truly Pharaoh had exalted himself in the land, the land of Egypt, and reduced its people into sects, groups, to serve him, oppressing a group of them, namely, the Children of Israel, slaughtering their sons, the new-born, and sparing their women, keeping them alive — for some of the [Egyptian] priests had told him, ‘A new-born of the Children of Israel shall bring about the end of your kingdom’. Indeed he was of those who cause corruption, through [the use of] slaughter and otherwise.
Arabic source : here
This verse is not even talking about religious sects, but sects [groups] like Salves, governors, soldiers, ministers etc which firon made , , I am sure no one will take this as religious sects now
Misquotation of Quranic Verse :
The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
“[Ironically] they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves.” (Quran, 42:14-15)
Tafsir al jalanyn says:
{ وَمَا تَفَرَّقُواْ } أي أهل الأديان في الدين بأن وحّد بعض وكفر بعض { إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ } بالتوحيد { بَغِيّاً } من الكافرين { بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبّكَ } بتأخير الجزاء { إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى } يوم القيامة { لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ } بتعذيب الكافرين في الدنيا { وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُورِثُواْ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ } وهم اليهود والنصارى { لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ } من محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم { مُرِيبٍ } موقع في الريبة.
And they did not become divided, that is, the adherents of the [monotheistic] religions [did not become divided] in religion — so that some affirmed the Oneness [of God], while others rejected it — except after the knowledge, of His Oneness, had come to them, out of [jealous] rivalry, on the part of the disbelievers, among themselves. And were it not for a Word that preceded from your Lord, to defer requital [of them], until an appointed term, [until] the Day of Resurrection, it would have [already] been judged between them, to chastise the disbelievers in this world. And indeed those who were made heirs to the Scripture after them, namely, the Jews and the Christians, are truly in grave doubt concerning him, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Arabic source: Here
This verse is not even talking about religious sects, but sects [groups] like Salves, governors, soldiers, ministers etc which firon made , , I am sure no one will take this as religious sects now
Misquotation of Quranic Verse :
The same religion has He established for you as that which He enjoined on Noah - the which We have sent by inspiration to thee - and that which We enjoined on Abraham, Moses, and Jesus: Namely, that ye should remain steadfast in religion, and make no divisions therein: to those who worship other things than Allah, hard is the (way) to which thou callest them. Allah chooses to Himself those whom He pleases, and guides to Himself those who turn (to Him).
“[Ironically] they broke up into sects only after the knowledge had come to them, due to jealousy and resentment among themselves.” (Quran, 42:14-15)
Tafsir al jalanyn says:
{ وَمَا تَفَرَّقُواْ } أي أهل الأديان في الدين بأن وحّد بعض وكفر بعض { إِلاَّ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءَهُمُ ٱلْعِلْمُ } بالتوحيد { بَغِيّاً } من الكافرين { بَيْنَهُمْ وَلَوْلاَ كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِن رَّبّكَ } بتأخير الجزاء { إِلَىٰ أَجَلٍ مُّسَمًّى } يوم القيامة { لَقُضِيَ بَيْنَهُمْ } بتعذيب الكافرين في الدنيا { وَإِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ أُورِثُواْ ٱلْكِتَٰبَ مِن بَعْدِهِمْ } وهم اليهود والنصارى { لَفِى شَكٍّ مِّنْهُ } من محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم { مُرِيبٍ } موقع في الريبة.
And they did not become divided, that is, the adherents of the [monotheistic] religions [did not become divided] in religion — so that some affirmed the Oneness [of God], while others rejected it — except after the knowledge, of His Oneness, had come to them, out of [jealous] rivalry, on the part of the disbelievers, among themselves. And were it not for a Word that preceded from your Lord, to defer requital [of them], until an appointed term, [until] the Day of Resurrection, it would have [already] been judged between them, to chastise the disbelievers in this world. And indeed those who were made heirs to the Scripture after them, namely, the Jews and the Christians, are truly in grave doubt concerning him, Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Arabic source: Here
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Thanks to brother FSN
(Edited by ADHM)
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Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad ibn Hajar al-Haytami (d. 974/1567)
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 (aqid'ah) 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)
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 nota 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)
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 (peace and blessings be upon him), 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)
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. Tafriqa 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 al-Kiram. 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-Kiram.
Al-Imam al-Bayhaqi (d. 458/1066) 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) wrote: 'Ahl as-Sunnah Wa'l Jama'ah are those ulama who keep on the right path ofRasullullah (Peace and blessings be upon him) and as-Sahaba al-Kiram. 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 al-Karim declares, 'Do not disunite!' This ayat 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 ayat as above and said that it meant, 'Do not deviate from the right path by following your desires and corrupt ideas.' This ayat 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 Ibadah (worship). As-Sahaba al-kiram (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)
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 ayat, '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 (Peace and blessings be upon him) said to Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her),
'The ayat 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 ayat 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 ayat 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 (Peace and blessings be upon him) 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 aqidah of the Salaf as-salihin (may Allah be pleased with them all); since Allah will no doubt ask us about our aqidah if it is not in conformity with the divine revelation and what his Messenger (Peace and blessings be upon him) transmitted to us.
The way of the Salaf as-salihin is the way of the saved sect of theAhl 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 aqid'ahout 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.
more info: Here
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Hadith 73 Sects
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! TheApostle 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 (72) of them will go to Hell and one of them will go to Paradise, and it is the majority group (Jama'ah).'
Shaykh al-Islam Ahmad al-Sirhindi (d. 1034/1624)
Who is regarded by many people in the Indian sub-continent as a great renovator of the Tenth Islamic Century (Mujaddid alf Thani 1000 year Mujaddid) 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 Iman. 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) Sultan of the Awliyyah 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 al-Kiram 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."
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."
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