DIVISIONS IN THE UMMAH
1. The concept of the Muslim nation separating into 73 sects, is
taken from authentic Ahadith such as the following related by
Hadrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu):"The Messenger of Allah
(Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: 'The Jews separated into 71
sects, and the Christians into 72, and my nation will divide into
73 sects.'" (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah)
2. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Seventy
-two (of the 73 sects of the Muslim nation) will be in the fire, and
only one will be in Paradise; it is the Jama'ah (i.e. Ahl-as Sunnah
Wa Jamaah)." (Abi Dawud, Ad-Darimi, Ahmad)
3. There is another narration which states:"The Companions asked:
'Which sect will triumph (i.e. achieve salvation)?' The Prophet
(Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) replied: 'The sect which adheres
to that (set of beliefs and practices) which I and my Companions
adhere to.'"
4. It should be clear from these Ahadith that the one sect, out of
the 73, which is to gain salvation, is the Ahl-as Sunnah Wa Jamaah,
the only segment of the Muslim community which adheres to that
which the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) and his
Companions (radi Allahu anhum) adhered to.
OPINION OF GREAT SCHOLARS
1. Ghawth-al A'zam, Hadrat Shaykh Abd'al Qadir al-Jilani (radi allahu
anhu) states: "There are 73 groups as foretold by Sayyiduna
Rasoolallah (Salla Allahu alaihi wa Sallam) and (bear in mind
that), the Ahl as-Sunnat wal Jama'at was the rightful group".
(Ghunyatut Taalibeen)
2. Imam al-Ghazzali (radi Allahu anhu) writes: "The Ahl as-Sunnat
Wal Jama'at is the successful Firqah (group) and it is this Firqa
which weighs or determines its thoughts and its according to
the scales of the Noble Qur'an". (Mujarribaate Imam Ghazal)
3. Hadrat Shah Wali'ullah Muhaddith Dehlawi (radi Allahu anhu)
states: "As Rasulallah (Salla Allahu alaihi wa Sallam) has stated,
follow this 'Sawad al-A'zam', and when the four Madhabs are
within the Sawad al-A'zam then the following of any one of them,
is followance of the Sawad al-A'zam. Therefore, refuting any one
of them is refuting the Sawad al-A'zam". (Aqdul Jayyad)
4. Imam Sufyan Souri (radi Allahu anhu) states,"By Sawad al-
A'zam is meant those who are called the Ahl as-Sunnah W'al
Jama'ah". (Al Mizaanul Qubra)
5. Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlawi (radi Allahu anhu) states
in his book "Fatawa Azeezi" (Vol. 2, pg. 4) that:"The various parts
of the Ahl as-Sunnat Wal Jama'at in Aqaa'id such as the Ash'ariya,
the Maaturadi, in Fiqh such as the Hanifa, the Shafi'i,the Hambali,
in Tasawwaf such as the Qaderi, the Chisti, Naqshabandi, the
Suhurwardi, this servant considers all of them to be the truth".
6. Imam Rabbani, Mujaddid Alif Thaani (radi allahu anhu) states
in the second chapter, page 67 of his "Maktubaat Shareef" that:
"The way of salvation is followance of the Ahl as-Sunnat Wal Jama'at.
May Almighty Allah Ta'ala bestow blessings upon the Ahle Sunnat
Wal Jama'at, in their speech, in their actions, laws, for this is the
successful group.Besides this, all other groups have become victims
of deception. Today, nobody realises how much these misled groups
will be punished, however, on the Day of Qiyamah this secret will
become apparent. Even though at that time this knowledge will be
of no benefit to the misled."
REMAINING WITH THE AHL AS-SUNNAH WAL JAMA'AH
1. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) advised us to
remain firm with the largest group of Muslims and remain steadfast
upon their way in beliefs and in actions.
2. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "Allah
will never allow my Ummah to unite upon misguidance and
incorrect beliefs. Allah's mercy, blessings and protection are with
the largest group of Muslims. And he who deviates from this largest
group of Muslims will be thrown into Hell." (Tirmizi)
3. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: "He who
deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hand
span, has himself cut off his connection with Islam". (Abu Dawud)
ABSTAINING FROM MISGUIDED GROUPS
1. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) clearly warned
his Ummah to completely abstain from joining in the gatherings of
or listening to the words of any of the other misguided groups that
will appear amongst the Muslims, whose beliefs will contradict the
beliefs of the largest group of Muslims.
2. The beliefs of the largest group of Muslims will be in accordance
with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam)
the beliefs of the Sahaba and the Salf-e-Saliheen.
3. The Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: " In the
period prior to the Day of Judgement, false and deceitful groups
will emerge. They will say things to you, which neither you nor
your forefathers will have ever heard before. Stay away from these
deceitful people and do not let them come near you! Do not be
misguided by them and do not let them cause strife amongst you!"
(Sahih Muslim)
new page
