Part 5

And by my saying in Surat Al-Ikhlas 1 mean Ikhias (sincerity) in

deeds, for it is the Surah of Ikhlas in deeds even though it is called Surat Al-Kafirun. In reality a Surah of Ikhlas in deeds, just as Surah:

“Say: He is Allah, One.)

is a Surah of Ikhlas in knowledge and belief. And Allah is the Granter of Success.

Q. 3. What are the fundamental beliefs of AhIus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah in matters of creed and other matters related to the religion?

A. The fundamental principle of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah in creed and other matters related to the religion is complete adherence to the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger #, and the guidance and Sunnah which the righteous caliphs followed, in accordance with the Words of Allah, the Most High:

“Say (O Muhammad 8% to mankind): If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur’an and the Sunnah), Allah will love you.”'?1

and the Words of Him, the Most High:

Mae ae GOES IS oA St ALL AS SS ght > “He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad #%), has indeed obeyed Allah, but he who turns away, then We have not sent you (O Muhammad #%) as a watcher over them.’|?!

“and the Words of Him, the Most High:

(1 AL-tkhlas 112:1 "1 al ‘Imran 3:31 D1 An-Nisa’ 4:80

Fatawa Arkanul-Islam 36 PEM O51 wats

Foye poe fee ye pk AG an sea, a7 digg de Kg 5 BSG Sp Kae Hp “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad 3%) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).’\"!

And even though this Surah was revealed regarding the distribution of war booty, it is even more fitting in matters pertaining to the Islamic Law. The Prophet #% used to address the people on Fridays saying:

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“As for what follows: Verily, the best speech is the Book of Allah and

the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad 8 , and the worst

of (religious) matters are the newly invented, for indeed every newly

invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire."'?}

And the words of the Prophet

AN! otis S05 ety We Lars & oad “You must adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs who come after me; hold firm to it and cling to it with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters, for indeed every newly invented matter is an innovation, and every innovation is a misguidance.”?!

1 ALHashr 59:7 '2] Reported by Muslim in the Book of Al-Jumu‘ah, in the Chapter on Shortening the Prayer and the Sermon (867) (43).

') Reported by Abu Dawud in the Book of the Sunnah, in the Chapter on the Obligation of the Sunnah (4607).

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The evidences for this are numerous; so the way of AhlusSunnah wal-Jama‘ah and their method is total in compliance with the Book of Allah, the Sunnah of His Messenger Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs who came after him. In this manner, they established the religion, and they did not differ therein, in obedience to the Words of Allah, the Most High:

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GASES UT Bees Si “He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad #8), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions in it (religion) (ie. various sects in religion).”""!

And even though differences occurred between them in matters in which it is permissible to exercise Ijtihad,'?! this differing did not lead to differing in their hearts. Rather, one finds that there was mutual affection and love between them in spite of this differing which occurred between them by means of Ijtihad.

Q. 4. Who are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah?

A. Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah are those who hold fast to the Sunnah, who are united upon it, paying no heed to other than it, neither in matters of knowledge and beliefs, nor in matters pertaining to the legality of deeds. This is why they are known as Ahlus-Sunnah, because they hold fast to it, and they are called , Ahlul-Jama‘ah, because they are united upon it. If one examines

"1 Ash-Shura 42:13 21 Tjtihad: The exercise of independent judgement in matters of Islamic Jurisprudence.

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the case of Ahlul-Bid‘ah, (the People of Innovation), one finds that they are in disagreement in what they follow, whether it is their religious beliefs or their deeds. This disagreeing proves that they are far away from the Sunnah, the more they innovate therein.

Q. 5. The Prophet #% informed us about the differing which would take place among his people after his death; we request Your Eminence to explain this.

A. The Prophet #% informed us in a narration which is authentically reported from him!"! that the Jews divided into seventy-one sects and the Christians divided into seventy-two sects and that this community (i.e. the Muslims) will be divided into seventy-three sects, and that all of these sects will be in the Fire except one, and they are those who follow what the Prophet # and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, followed.

This sect is the Saved Sect, which will achieve salvation in the life of this world from innovations and will be saved in the Hereafter from the Fire, and they are a group who will be helped until the Hour is established which is an already existing phenomenon by the Command of Allah, the Almighty, the AllPowerful.

Some people have attempted to enumerate these seventy-three sects, one of which is following the truth and the remainder of which are following that which is false. They have divided the innovators into five categories and designated for each category branches in order that the number reaches that specified by the Prophet #%. Others consider that it is more appropriate to

al Reported by Abu Dawud in the Book of the Sunnah (4596) and by AtTirmithi in the Book of Faith, in the Chapter on the Differing of this Community (2642) and by Ibn Majah in the Book of Trials, in the Chapter on the Differing of the (Muslim) Community (3991).

refrain from counting them, because these sects are not the only sects who have gone astray; indeed people have strayed more than they had previously, and this happened after these sects had come to number seventy-two sects. They say that this number will not end and it is not possible to know the end of it, except at the end of time when the Hour is established.

Therefore, it is more appropriate to treat in general what the Prophet #¢ treated as general, and say that this community will become divided into seventy-three sects, all of whom will be in the Fire except one. Then we may say that all those who contradict what was followed by the Prophet # and his Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, then they are included among these sects.

It could be that the Messenger #% was referring to elements of which we now know no more than ten. And it could be that he was referring to elements which consist of branches, as held by some people and the knowledge is with Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful.

Q. 6. What are the most outstanding attributes of the Saved Sect? And does a deficiency in any of these attributes remove a person from the Saved Sect?

A. The most outstanding attributes of the Saved Sect are adherence to that which the Prophet #% followed in beliefs, worship, character and conduct — one finds these four things outstanding in them:

In beliefs, one finds them holding fast to what is proven by the

Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger #% sincerely

declaring the Oneness of Allah in matters of worship, Lordship * and Names and Attributes.

In worship, we find that this sect stands out due to its complete adherence and implementation of what was followed by the Prophet #% in acts of worship in all of their forms, their

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characteristics, their numbers, their times, their places and their causes. And one does not find them innovating in the religion of Allah; rather, they behave in the best manner towards Allah and His Messenger #% and they do not come before Allah nor His Messenger #% including anything in their acts of worship which was not permitted by Allah.

In character, one finds that likewise, they stand out from others due to their fine character, such as in their love of what is good for the Muslims, their open heartedness, cheerful faces, good way of speaking, generosity, bravery and other noble traits of character and qualities.

In conduct, one finds them treating the people with honesty and openness, and these two qualities were referred to by the Prophet #% in his words:

at sksdy 9 “Both parties in a business transaction have the right to annul it as long as they have not separated; and if they speak the truth and make everything clear, they will be blessed in their transaction; but if they tell a lie and conceal anything, the blessing on their transaction will be blotted out.’"")

A deficiency in these characteristics does not prevent a person from being among the Saved Sect, but everyone will be at a level according to his deeds; and deficiency in matters of Tawhid might remove one from the Saved Sect, such as violations in Tkhlas"?) and likewise due to committing innovations, for a person might commit innovations that prevent him from being

"1 Reported by Al-Bukhari in the Book of Sales, in the Chapter: If Two Parties in a Business Transaction are Open and do not Hide Anything and Act in Good Faith (2079) and Muslim in the Book of Sales, in the Chapter on Honesty and Openness in Business Dealings (1532).

'2) Here Ikhlas means doing deeds purely for Allah alone.

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among the Saved Sect.

Regarding the matter of character and conduct, deficiency in them does not remove one from this sect, even though it may diminish his status.

We might require a more detailed explanation of the matter of character, for among the most important aspects of good character is unity of voice and agreement upon the truth which Allah, the Most High has enjoined upon us in His Words: vege yee AK we oe ol neice Boces 4a EG OMS Bees AA ps “He (Allah) has ordained for you the same religion (Islamic Monotheism) which He ordained for Nuh (Noah), and that which We have revealed to you (O Muhammad #8), and that which We ordained for Ibrahim (Abraham), Musa (Moses) and ‘Isa (Jesus) saying you should establish religion (i.e. to do what it orders you to do practically) and make no divisions in it (religion) (i.e. various sects in religion).""") And He has informed us that Muhammad #¢ is innocent of those who are divided in the matter of their religion and break up into sects, for Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful says: