We hear this phrase thrown around a lot these days–”ahlul sunnah wal jam’aah” (literally, “the people of the sunnah and the jam’ah/group”). But what does it really mean, and who are the people who are TRULY ahlul sunnah wal jam’aah?
To find out the answer, we must ask those who defined those terms. Not your friendly neighborhood shaykh or imam; not your mom, your dad, your grandfather, or his grandfather; not even the tabi’oon, or the companions. Rather, Rasulullah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) was the first person to define this term.
In one hadith, the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “After my death, you will see many differences (in Islam); so I command you to follow my sunnah and the sunnah of the khulafa rashideen (Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, ‘Uthman, and ‘Ali, (رضالله عنهم)) [Abu Dawud]
So, that defines ahlul sunnah, the people of the sunnah; what about the people of the jam’aah?
In one hadith, the Messenger of Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “My ummah will split into 73 groups, and all will guide to Hellfire, EXCEPT one.” The companions asked, who is that one group? He (صلي الله عليه وسلم) said: “The Jam’aah.” [Ibn Majah]
So put it together–sunnah + jam’aah = ahlul sunnah wal jam’aah!
Because the first group to deviate, deviated after the death of the Prophet (صلي الله عليه وسلم)–the ones who killed ‘Uthman (رضالله عنه). The companions, the BEST generation of humankind, called that group the Khawarij, and called themselves Ahlul Sunnah.
May Allah (سبحانه وتعالى) make us among that ONE group of Muslims that enters Jannah, ameen ya rabbal ‘alameen!
Yasir Qadhi. Lecture. AlMaghrib. Light Upon Light: Fundamentals of Faith 102. Metro Toronto Convention Center, July 2007.
[...] hear this phrase thrown around a lot these days–”ahlul sunnah wal jam’aah” (literally, “the people of the sunnah and the jam’ah/group”). But what does it really [...]
Please correct this line:
“Allah (صلي الله عليه وسلم) “
Jazakumullahu khayran, fixed!
Assalaamu ‘alykum wa Rahmatullaah
Jazakum Allaahu khayran for your efforts in putting up very beneficial posts mashaaa Allaah.
The definition of Ahl us-sunnah is comprehendable but when you mention about the jamaa’ah, I understand that the one sect that will enter jannah is the one that is the ‘jamaa’ah’ so how do we know which one that is? is it the sect that holds fast the the Qur’aan and sunnah? Does it refer to At-taaifah wal mansoorah?
barak Allaahu feekum
wassalaam
W.salam Wr. Wb.
Yes, you are correct that the term “Jama’ah” refers to ‘At Taifah Al Mansoorah’. At Taifah Al Mansoorah are from the “Al-Firqah an-Naajiyah”.
Briefly the meaning of the two phrases are given below:
Al-Firqah an-Naajiyah: the Saved Sect; all the Muslims fall into this due to the CORRECT I’tiqad (belief/aqeedah) of the Prophet (PBUH) as opposed to all the other religions.
At-Taa’ifah al-Mansoorah: the Victorious Group (Ahl Sunnah Wal Jam’ah); they fall under Al Firqah An-Naajiyah. Insha-Allah, this is the group who won’t be touched by fire (in general except those who are the sinners). This is the VICTORIOUS GROUPS among all those who claim to be Muslims.
For more info, please visit: http://islamlecture.com/attaaifah.htm
also here are the notes for the lecture series: http://islamlecture.com/documents/attaifah.doc
(The beautiful thing about this lecture series is that the speaker gives references from the late Imam of Sunnah, Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Salih Al ‘Uthaymeen (RA).
If I made any mistake that is from me and the accursed Shaytaan, and if I said anything correct, that is from the Guidance of Allah (SWT) and His Messenger (PBUH).
Wassalamu ‘Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuhu.
[...] hear this phrase thrown around a lot these days–”ahlul sunnah wal jam’aah” (literally, “the people of the sunnah and the jam’ah/group”). But what does it really [...]
the current “ahle sunnah wal jamah’ believe rasool is ‘hajir o najir’ (Rasool.sm is witnessing us and can be present anywhere he.sm wants) they say its a part aqeedah, anyone who doesnt believe this is a kafir.
do you have a sharia (ijtihad, daleel, proof) that its not a part of aqeeda.
I believe this hajir o najir, some other hajir o najir happens with my family member, could some one please give me the proof of this thing..
@Sajit @Tarique
There are many proofs for this. Among them are the most obvious:
- That rasulullahi salallahu alayhi wa sallam is a human being. He was born. He died. He has returned to Allah, and he can do nothing for you.
- That believing in the dead being able to give you benefit or harm is MAJOR SHIRK that takes one outside of Islam; this is well-established in our ‘aqeedah.
- That rasulullahi salallahu alayhi wa sallam is dead. The sahaba prayed his janaazah.
- That Allah says in the Qur’an: Innaka mayyitun wa innahum mayyitoon. Surely you (O Muhammad, salallahu alayhi wa sallam) will die and surely they will die.
- No companion, tab’ieen, or scholar of Islam ever, ever, ever said this.
- This is an act of belief; for it to be legitimate, the one who says it is true must bring HIS proof, not the other way around.
- Being able to see anything is an attribute of Allah, in his name Al-Baseer. Shall we then ascribe this to our Prophet? That is shirk.
Wallahu ‘alam.
Dear Brother,
Assalamu Aalaikum;
I have gone through your observation, but need to know more specifically about ‘HAJIR O NAJIR’s acceptability in the light of Holy Quaran, particular Sura and the Ayaath number or any Hadith (with the ref.).
while the Hajir O Najir happens, I talk to he dead being who are the great Rhuhus of waalis and sufis, always show me the path of Allah, Rasool, Salath….
I want to know whether I am really right or wrong.
Dear Brother,
Assalamu Aalaikum;
I have gone through your observation, but need to know more specifically about ‘HAJIR O NAJIR’s acceptability in the light of Holy Quaran, particular Sura and the Ayaath number or any Hadith (with the ref.).
while the Hajir O Najir happens, I talk to the dead being who are the great Rhuhus of waalis and sufis, always show me the path of Allah, Rasool, Salath….
I want to know whether I am really right or wrong.
Wa’alikum as-salaaam,
Sufficient are the ayaat of the Qur’an.
Surah An’aam, 6:71: Say, “Shall we invoke instead of Allah that which neither benefits us nor harms us and be turned back on our heels after Allah has guided us? [We would then be] like one whom the devils enticed [to wander] upon the earth confused, [while] he has companions inviting him to guidance, [calling], ‘Come to us.’ ” Say, “Indeed, the guidance of Allah is the [only] guidance; and we have been commanded to submit to the Lord of the worlds.
Surah Yunus, 10:106: And do not invoke besides Allah that which neither benefits you nor harms you, for if you did, then indeed you would be of the wrongdoers.’”
Find one companion who ever invoked Rasulullahi (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) after his death–I challenge you. They were the best nation. They never did it. You will never find even one incident of it.
Tell the people who say it’s permissible: bring your proof if you are truthful. This is ‘ibaadah and all ‘ibaadah is haram until proven innocent.
Allah says: whoever does something without our permission will have it rejected.
assalamu aalaikum
thanks a lot…..
Tarique Haider Mallik