A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
Shaykh Naasir ibn 'Abdul-Kareem al-'Aql
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah (those who follow what the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam and his Companions were upon; with respect to beliefs, actions and guidance) are the Saved-Sect in the Hereafter and the Victorious and Aided Group in this world. Despite the distance of (time and place) between them, they possess certain characteristics which distinguish them from others. From them are:-
[1]: They attach great importance to the Book of Allaah; its recitation, memorisation and understanding its correct tafseer (explanation). Likewise they attach great importance to the Hadeeth (Prophetic narrations), by their knowledge and understanding of it, and their distinguishing the authentic narrations from the weak and false ones. These two - the Qur'aan and the authentic hadeeth - are the root source of acquiring the 'aqeedah (beliefs) and ahkaam (rulings). Furthermore, they couple their knowledge with action,
according to the level of their knowledge.
[2]: They enter into the Religion completely. They have eemaan (certainty of belief) in all of the Book, having eemaan in the textual promises and threats that are mentioned in it. They also have eemaan in those verses affirming Allaah's Attributes and those that negate any resemblance of Allaah to His creation. They combine having eemaan in al-Qadr (Pre-Decree and Predestination) along with
affirming the fact that the slave possess free will and choice in action. They also combine knowledge along with worship, strength along with mercy, and utilising the necessary worldly means along with having zuhd (renouncing the world).
[3]: They follow the Sunnah (Prophetic guidance) and abandon innovations in the Religion. Likewise, they shun sectarianism and ikhtilaaf (differences) in matters of Religion.
[4]: They follow the guidance of the trustworthy Scholars; the Sahaabah (Companions), and all those who traverse their path - following them in matters of beliefs, actions and da'wah (calling to Allaah). They keep away from those that oppose the path of the Companions.
[5]: They adhere to the middle position. Thus, in matters of i'tiqaad (beliefs), they hold a middle position between those sects that go into extremes. Likewise, in acts of worship and sulook (conduct), they adhere to a middle position between those who exceed the limits and those who fall short.
[6]: They strive to gather the word of the Muslims upon the truth, and to unify their ranks upon tawheed (to single out Allaah alone for worship) and ittibaa' (following the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, the Companions and the Pious Predecessors of this Ummah), and seek to eliminate all avenues that lead to differing and splitting between them. From this standpoint, they do not
distinguish themselves from the rest of the Muslims - in matters concerning the usoolud-deen (fundamentals of the Religion) - with any other name, except that of the Sunnah and the Jamaa'ah. Likewise, they do not form walaa (love, loyalty and allegiance) or 'adaa (enmity and disalliegence) with anyone, upon a bond other than Islaam and the Sunnah.
[7]: They call to Allaah, and towards enjoining the good, forbidding the evil, Jihaad, reviving the Sunnah, reviving the Religion, and establishing the Sharee'ah (Prescribed Law) of Allaah and His Rule, in every matter - large or small.
[8]: They have insaaf (fairness) and 'adl (justice). So they observe the right of Allaah - the Most High - when dealing with people. When doing so, they neither look towards their own self-interests, nor that of their group. This is why they do not exploit others, nor do them wrong, nor do they belittle those who deserve esteem whosoever they may be.
[9]: They possess a uniformity in understanding, and a similarity in their stances - even though there are great distances between their respective lands and times. This is from the fruits of them possessing a single source for the Religion, and a single unified methodology for its acquisition.
[10]: They possess ihsaan (kindness), rahmah (mercy), and husnul-khalq (good manners) towards all people.
[11]: They show naseehah (sincerity) to Allaah, His Book, His Messenger, and are sincere and give sincere advice to the Muslim leaders and the general body of Muslims.
[12]: They are concerned with the affairs of the Muslims, aid them, fulfil the rights towards them, and prevent any injury from reaching them.
1. From Mujmol Usool Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah Fil-'Aqeedah (pp.27-29).
Abu Na'aila
"And it is up to Allah to show the right way. But there are ways that stray. And had He willed, He would have guided you all." [Surah An-Nahl 16:9]
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
Sweet_sorrow,
The Prophet Muhammad said "Indeed those from before you from the People of the Book divided into seventy-two groups. And, indeed, this group (Muslims) will divide into seventy-three. Seventy-two groups will be in the Hellfire and one of them will be in Paradise. And it is the Jamaa'ah (group)."
"I spent thirty years learning manners, and I spent twenty years learning knowledge."
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
Salaam,
I read it and it sounds good enough... But its still a sect no? What's the difference if I just call myself muslim and not Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at... I mean, we are completely divided and there's no ummah left really... Unless if you count those people as the ummah...
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
Asalam o alikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuh.
In the hadith it says "(Muslims) will divide into seventy-three (sects)" hence the fact that we will probably be in one of them sects whether we like it or not.. and that means we have to follow one of the sects - "one of them will be in Paradise And it is the Jamaa'ah (group)." therefore if we don't be within that sect then we will not be given the chance to enter Jannah.
Now look at the top of the (previous) page and see the characteristics of the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at.. you are probably one of them. and by lookin at the characteristics its kinda obvious why the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at are the ones who will enter Jannah.
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
format_quote Originally Posted by Hashim
Sister the 'jamaah' which is mentoned in the hadeeth is the jamaah of the salaf, the first three generations, the best of creation upon siratul mustaqeen.
What the difference between Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah and the Salaf? The only sects I know much about are sunni, shi'a, sufis and wahhabis....
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
I know those... I was forced to do research on all of them in school, but I want to know whats the difference between the Salaf and Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah... Are they the same?
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
Salafism (following early muslims)=Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jam'ah (following the sunnah of the Prophet saws and the consensus)=Ahlul Hadith (following the hadith of the Prophet saws)
They are all the same. Sweet sorrow, whether you want to label yourself or not, the truth of the matter is that you still follow a certain path. You believe in following the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Prophet saws, therefore you're from Ahlus-Sunnah whether you proclaim it or not. The truth of the matter is that we distinguish ourselves from false groups who distort the religion and don't want to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: "Surely I was sent to perfect the qualities of righteous character" [Musnad Ahmad, Muwatta Mâlik]
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
format_quote Originally Posted by Ansar Al-'Adl
Salafism (following early muslims)=Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jam'ah (following the sunnah of the Prophet saws and the consensus)=Ahlul Hadith (following the hadith of the Prophet saws)
They are all the same. Sweet sorrow, whether you want to label yourself or not, the truth of the matter is that you still follow a certain path. You believe in following the Qur'an and the sunnah of the Prophet saws, therefore you're from Ahlus-Sunnah whether you proclaim it or not. The truth of the matter is that we distinguish ourselves from false groups who distort the religion and don't want to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Thanks for clearing that up... I can finally see the light!
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No wait, its my lamp....
Re: A Summary of the Most Important Characteristics of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'at
format_quote Originally Posted by sweet_sorrow
Thanks for clearing that up... I can finally see the light!
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No wait, its my lamp....
Asalam o alikum warahmatulahi wabarakatuh..
OK. sis it looks like yo confused.. to keep it straightforward the salaf and the ahle sunnah are both similar and don't contradict in any way. the salaf were the first 3 generations of muslims at the time of the prophet (salallahu alai hi wasalam) but they were ahle sunnah at the same time because they followed the sunnah and the ways of the Qur'an.
what i think yo confused with is that you think the salaf are another form like sunnis and wahabis and dat whereas the salaf has nothin 2 do with it.. both the sunni and wahabis do argue that they follow the way of the salaf (the muslims of the first 3 generations) and hence the term 'salaf' for purposes such as "i'm a sunni and the salaf were sunnis to." or vice versa if u get me..
so just keep in mind that salaf is in no way a sect like sunni and wahabi or shia etc. (from wa i know.)
insh Allah that helpd.. if na den go ask da proz lol.
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