Methodology
♦ The Saved-Sect clings to the methodology of the Jamaa’ah of the Companions in belief, speech, actions and in understanding the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. As Allaah says: So if they believe in the like of that which you (Sahaabah) believe, then they are rightly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. [Qur’aan 2:137]
♦ The Saved-Sect gives importance to tawheed, which is singling out Allaah for worship and supplication, seeking help in times of hardship and at times of ease, sacrifice and vowing, trusting in Allaah alone, ruling by that which Allaah has revealed.
♦ The Saved-Sect does not give precedence to their opinions or anybody else’s over what Allaah and His Messenger have said. They say, “We hear and we obey” leaving their opinions or desires to the saying of Allaah and His Messenger .
♦ Saved-Sect is the only Jamaa’ah that strives to revive the Sunnah of Allaah's Messenger in their ’aqeedah (creed), ’ibaadah (worship), sulook (behaviour) and in their lives, thus becoming strangers amongst others - as Allaah’s Messenger mentioned in his saying, “Islaam started as something strange and will return as something strange as it began, so Toobaa (a tree in Paradise) is for the Strangers.” [Muslim]
♦ The Saved-Sect love and honour all the Imaams and Scholars. However, they do not hold ta-’assub (bigoted blind adherence) to any particular one (Imaam) of them. On the contrary, they take fiqh (rulings) from the Qur'aan and the authentic ahaadeeth, upon the understanding, and sayings of all the Scholars (Imaams) - if it is in agreement with the authentic ahaadeeth. Indeed, this is what the Imaams prescribed, that you should take their saying if it agrees with the authentic hadeeth and leave whatever disagrees with it.
♦ The Saved-Sect orders good and forbids evil. Thus it rejects the innovated ways and destructive parties and groups which split the Ummah: those that innovate in the Religion and innovate with regards to the Sunnah of the Prophet and his Companions.
♦ The Saved-Sect calls the Muslims to cling to the Book of Allaah - the Qur'aan and to the Sunnah of the infallible Messenger , the one who did not speak from his own desires.
And so, the Saved-Sect are the Ahlul-Hadeeth (People of the Hadeeth) – they are the true Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah. They are those, as the excellent saying goes:
The Ahlul-Hadeeth are the People of the Messenger (), although they accompany him not,
they accompany (him in) his every movement.
O Allaah! make us from the Ahlul-Hadeeth and give us sustenance to act upon the hadeeth, and grant us love of its people and do not make us amongst those who follow their desires, opinions and misguided interpretations.
Allaah’s Messenger said: “There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah, victorious upon the Truth, not being harmed by those who oppose them, until the command of Allaah comes about, and they are like that.” [Muslim]
So who then are the Saved-Sect and the Victorious Group as has been mentioned in the above hadeeth?
♦ Ibn al-Mubaarak, rahimahullaah, said: “I say they are the Ashaab ul-Hadeeth (People of the Hadeeth).”
♦ Imaam al-Bukhaaree, rahimahullaah, said: “(my teacher) Alee ibn al-Madeenee said: ‘They are the Ashaab ul-Hadeeth’” Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (p.27)
♦ Imaam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, rahimahullaah, said: “If this Victorious Group are not the Ashaab ul-Hadeeth, then I do not know who they are.” Related by al-Haakim in Ma'rifatu 'Uloom-il-Hadeeth.
♦ Shaykh 'Abdul-Qaadir al-Jeelaanee, rahimahullaah, in his book Ghuniyatut-Taalibeen said: “As for al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved-Sect), it is Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah (page 193), and he further says (page 186): “There is only one name for Ahlus-Sunnah - and that is Ahlul-Hadeeth - and apart from this there is no other name. And bid’atee (people of innovation) who call themselves Ahlus-Sunnah do not comply to that name.”
Indeed the Ahlul-Hadeeth, by the virtue of their competence in the study of the Sunnah and what is related to it, are the most knowledgeable people without exception, of the Sunnah of their Prophet and his character, his battles and what he achieved. So the Ahlul-Hadeeth, may Allaah gather us with them, do not fanatically call to the saying of any individual Imaam except Muhammad . Verily others fanatically call to the sayings of their Imaams, (although the Imaams forbade them from that) just as the Ahlul-Hadeeth fanatically call to the sayings of the Prophet . So then, it is no wonder that the Ahlul-Hadeeth are truly the Victorious Group and the Saved Sect.
♦ Imaam al-Khateeb al-Baghdaadee in his book Sharaf Ashaab ul-Hadeeth has said: Indeed Allaah has made the Ahlul-Hadeeth the pillars of the Sharee’ah and by them He has destroyed every despicable innovation. So they are the authority amongst His creation, and the link between the Prophet and his Ummah and the ones who strive hard in the preservation of the texts of the narrations. Their rays of light are luminous and their virtues are well known, as opposed to every other sect that tends towards desires and prefer opinion which they adhere to, except the Ashaab ul-Hadeeth. Since the Book of Allaah is their provision, the Sunnah is their proof, the Messenger their leader and to him is their ascription. They do not deviate upon vain desires, nor turn to mere conjecture. They accept what is reported from the Prophet and they are the trustworthy and reliable ones, who memorise the Religion and are its treasurers, its storehouses of knowledge and its bearers. If anyone differs about a hadeeth, then it is referred back to them. Thus, their judgement is accepted and listened to. From them is every Scholar and Imaam, and every true ascetic, and one of excellence, and precise reciter and righteous Khateeb. They are the Saved-Sect and their way is the straight one..." Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (p. 7-9).
The criterion for the Jamaa’ah of the Saved-Sect or the Victorious Group is not the number of people following it; rather it is in clinging to the Truth i.e., the Book and the Sunnah; even if those upon it are few and even if in some period of time only one person is upon the truth, then he is the Jamaa’ah.
Allaah’s Messenger said: “I order you to fear Allaah, and to hear and obey, even if an Abyssinian slave becomes your leader. For verily, those of you who live long after me will see many differences, so I order you to stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me. Bite onto that with your molar teeth and beware of the newly invented matters, for verily every innovation is misguidance.” [Saheeh: Ahmad, Tirmidhee, etc.]
And he also said, "Indeed, the people of the Book before you split-up into seventy-two sects. And this nation will split-up into seventy-three sects, seventy two are in the Fire and one is in Paradise" [Hasan: Aboo Daawood]. It was asked, 'Who is that one?' He replied, "That which I and my Companions are upon." [Hasan: Tirmidhee].
So Allaah indicates in the Qur'aan to that which the Messenger pointed to i.e. the Saved Sect are those people who follow the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of His Messenger and who are upon the manhaj (methodology) of Sahaabah with perfection.
Allaah says in the Qur'aan: Say (O Muhammad): “If you really love Allaah then follow me, Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins…” [Qur’aan 5: 31]. And Allaah also says: “And the first to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar and Those Who Followed Them Exactly. Allaah is well pleased with them, as they are well pleased with Him. He has prepared for them gardens under which rivers flow, to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success. [Qur’aan 9:100]
The above two noble verses show that the evidence of ones love of Allaah is in his following of the Messenger Muhammad in belief, speech and action, as well as in following his companions, , from the Muhaajiroon and the Ansaar and Those Who Followed Them Exactly in belief, speech and action. So this proves that, the latter part of this Ummah should follow the manhaj of as-Salaf-us-Saaliheen (the Pious Predecessors). As for the one who opposes the manhaj of the Sahaabah, then he is from those who are deviated. Allaah warns in the Qur'aan: And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad ) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, And Follows Other Than The Believers’ (Sahaabah) Way, We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell – what an evil destination! [Qur’aan 4:115]
We must refrain from showing the defects of Sahaabah and that which happened between them. Their affair is with their Lord and He is well-pleased with them. So do not abuse any one from amongst the Companions . This is based on the Prophet’s saying: "Let none of you abuse my Companions. For by Him in whose Hand is my soul, if one of you spent (in the way of Allaah) the equivalent of mount Uhud in gold it would not reach a handful nor half a handful of what they spent.” [Bukhaaree, Muslim, etc.]
As-Salaf-us-Saaliheen includes the first three gener-ations about whom the Messenger of Allaah has said in many ahaadeeth: "The best of the people are my generation (sahaabah), then those after them (taabi’een), then those after them (atbaa’ ut-taabi’een)" [Bukhaaree]
It is important here to note that the opinions of the Sahaabah are accepted only on the basis of their ijmaa’ (consensus) and not on their individual sayings, since they cannot unite upon error as Allaah’s Messenger said: Indeed Allaah will not make my Ummah or the Ummah of Muhammad, agree on misguidance, and the Hand of Allaah is with the Jamaa’ah (community). [Saheeh: Tirmidhee]
Stick to the footsteps of the Salaf,
even if people abandon you. Beware of the views of men,
even if they beautify it for you with words.
If Allaah would had left mankind to pass judgements upon the actions and sayings of their own, then judgement would change from person to person and from time to time and it is not possible for any human to pass a definite and unchanging ruling. Since, that is the case, Allaah has made it binding upon the servants to obey Him and to obey the Messenger and warned them against disobedience. Allaah says: It is not fit for a believing man or a believing woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger has certainly strayed into a plain error. [Qur’aan 33: 36]. And He also says: He who obeys the Messenger, has indeed obeyed Allaah. [Qur’aan 4: 80]
The Messenger said, “I have left amongst you two things. You will not go astray as long as you hold fast to them: The Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.” [Saheeh: al-Haakim, Muwatta, etc.]
Allaah has ordered that whenever there arise a disagreement and difference, it should be referred back to Allaah and His Messenger so that the final judgement is that of the Book and the Sunnah. He, the Mighty and Majestic, says: O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. [Qur’aan 4: 59]
This aayah explains that all the disputes are to be referred back to the Book and the Sunnah and regards it as the sign of truthfulness and proof of eemaan. And he who does not refer back in judgement to the Book and the Sunnah in disputes, then he is not a believer in Allaah and the Last Day. Perhaps the clearest proof of this great matter which is counted as the crux of the eemaan is His saying: But no, by your Lord, they can have no faith until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission. [Qur’aan 4: 65]
With this earth-rending oath which is sufficient to cause the mountains to fall to the ground and for the believer’s jugular vein to tremble in terror and his limbs to shake with fear and for the hearts to rise to the throats and eyes to roll up in their sockets. The Most Just of all judges has sworn by Himself that no one believes until he makes the Messenger as
judge in all affairs. So whatever judgement he has passed then it is obligatory to submit to it, inwardly and outwardly (without any hesitation or delay), since it is the truth and what is there besides the truth except misguidance. [Tafseer Ibn Katheer]
The Messenger did indeed completely conveyed all the Revelation as it was sent down from his Lord. Allaah bears witness to that and also the believers. Allaah says: This day, I have perfected for you your Religion, and completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion. [Qur’aan 5: 3]
The Mother of the Believers, ’Aaishah radiyAllaahu ’anhaa said to Masrooq, “Whoever says to you that Muhammad kept secret anything sent down to him, has lied” [Bukhaaree]. Upon the final Hajj, all the Muslims were asked by the Messenger , “You will be questioned about me, so what will you say?” They said, ‘We bear witness that you have fully conveyed the Revelation from your Lord, fulfilled your duty, sincerely advised the Ummah and fulfilled that which was upon you.’ So he pointed with his forefinger and raised it towards the heavens and pointed it at the people and said, “O Allaah bear witness, O Allaah bear witness.” [Bukhaaree]
In the Name of Allaah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
All Praise is due to Allaah, may the peace and blessings of Allaah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, his Companions and all those who follow them in righteousness until the Last Day. To proceed:
People were a single nation upon the religion of Aadam for ten generations [Tafseer ibn Katheer], then the devils dislodged and diverted them from their Deen and forbade for them what Allaah had made permissible. They disagreed and differed, so Allaah sent His Messengers in succession so that they would worship Allaah alone and so that His saying would be the deciding factor in any disagreement and the proof for this is the saying of Allaah : Mankind were one community (before their deviation); then Allaah sent the Prophets as bringers of glad tidings and warners and with them He sent the Book in truth, to judge between people in matters wherein they differed. [Qur’aan 2: 213]
Muhammad was sent as the Final Messenger, after a gap in the succession of Prophets, to explain the Straight way to the people and to guide them, by Allaah’s permission, in those matters of truth about which they differed. Allaah says: And We have not sent down the Book to you (O Muhammad), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and mercy for a people who believe. [Qur’aan 16: 64]