1. The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat is the largest group of Muslims and the only group whose beliefs and teachings are truly in accordance with the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam).
2. The beliefs of this group are the same as the beliefs of the Sahaabah or noble companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and the Salf-E-Saliheen (our great pious predecessors).
3. In many Ahadith, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) strongly advised the Muslims to follow his Sunnah and to remain steadfast upon the path of his Sahaabah, the Salf-E-Saliheen and the majority of Muslims to remain steadfast upon the way of the Ahle Sunnah.
4. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "I have left two things behind me for you (the Ummah). You will never go astray as long as you follow these two things. One of these two things is Allah's Holy Book (the Holy Qur'an) and the other is the Sunnah of his Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)." (Muwatta Imam Malik).
5. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said that after he passes away his Ummah should remain firmly steadfast upon his Sunnah and upon the way of his four Muslim Caliphs. He advised us to follow this path alone and to beware of innovations, which contradict the Holy Qur'an and his Sunnah. (Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi).
6. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "Follow the way of the largest group of Muslims! For, he who deviates from this group will be thrown into Hell!" (Ibn Majah).
Remaining With The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat
1. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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." (Tirmidhi).
3. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "He who deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hands span; will have himself cut off his connection with Islam". (Abu Dawud).
Abstaining From Misguided Groups
1. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), the beliefs of the Sahaabah and the Salf-E-Saliheen.
3. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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).
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 Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA): "The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Jammah (i.e. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat)." (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 (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Ahle
Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the only segment of the Muslim community which adheres to that which the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and his Companions (RA) adhered to.
Opinion of Great Scholars And Saints
1. Ghousal Azam, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (RA) states: "There are 73 groups as foretold by Sayyiduna Rasool’Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and (bear in mind that), the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat was the rightful group". (Ghunyatut Taalibeen).
2. Imam Ghazali (RA) writes: "The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat is the successful Firqah (group) and it is this Firqah which weighs or determines its thoughts and it’s according to the scales of the Holy Qur'an". (Mujarribaate Imam Ghazali).
3. Hazrat Sha Wali’Allah Muhaddith Dehlawi (RA) states: "As Rasool’Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) has stated, follow this 'Sawad-E-Azam', and when the four Madhabs are within the Sawad-E-Azam then the following of any one of them, is followance of the Sawad-E-Azam. Therefore, refuting any one of them is refuting the Sawad-EAzam". (Aqdul Jayyad).
4. Imam Sufyan Souri (RA) states: "By Sawad-E-Azam is meant those who are called the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat". (Al Mizaanul Qubra).
5. Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlawi (RA) states in his book "Fatwa Azeezi" (Vol. 2, pg. 4) that: "The various parts of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat in Aqaid such as the Ashari, the Maturidi, in Fiqh such as the Hanifah, the Shafi, the Hambali, in Tasawwuf such as the Qadiri, the Chisti, Naqshbandi, the Suhrawardi, this servant considers all of them to be the truth".
6. Imam Rabbani, Mujaddid Alif Thani (RA) states in the second chapter, page 67 of his "Maktubaat Shariff" that: "The way of salvation is followance of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. May Almighty Allah bestow blessings upon the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, 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".
2. The beliefs of this group are the same as the beliefs of the Sahaabah or noble companions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and the Salf-E-Saliheen (our great pious predecessors).
3. In many Ahadith, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) strongly advised the Muslims to follow his Sunnah and to remain steadfast upon the path of his Sahaabah, the Salf-E-Saliheen and the majority of Muslims to remain steadfast upon the way of the Ahle Sunnah.
4. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "I have left two things behind me for you (the Ummah). You will never go astray as long as you follow these two things. One of these two things is Allah's Holy Book (the Holy Qur'an) and the other is the Sunnah of his Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam)." (Muwatta Imam Malik).
5. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said that after he passes away his Ummah should remain firmly steadfast upon his Sunnah and upon the way of his four Muslim Caliphs. He advised us to follow this path alone and to beware of innovations, which contradict the Holy Qur'an and his Sunnah. (Abu Dawud; Tirmidhi).
6. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "Follow the way of the largest group of Muslims! For, he who deviates from this group will be thrown into Hell!" (Ibn Majah).
Remaining With The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat
1. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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." (Tirmidhi).
3. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: "He who deviates from the largest group of Muslims, even as much as a hands span; will have himself cut off his connection with Islam". (Abu Dawud).
Abstaining From Misguided Groups
1. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam), the beliefs of the Sahaabah and the Salf-E-Saliheen.
3. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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).
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 Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA): "The Messenger of Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Jammah (i.e. Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat)." (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 (Sallallahu Alayhi 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 Ahle
Sunnat Wal Jamaat, the only segment of the Muslim community which adheres to that which the Holy Prophet
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and his Companions (RA) adhered to.
Opinion of Great Scholars And Saints
1. Ghousal Azam, Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (RA) states: "There are 73 groups as foretold by Sayyiduna Rasool’Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) and (bear in mind that), the Ahle Sunnat wal Jamaat was the rightful group". (Ghunyatut Taalibeen).
2. Imam Ghazali (RA) writes: "The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat is the successful Firqah (group) and it is this Firqah which weighs or determines its thoughts and it’s according to the scales of the Holy Qur'an". (Mujarribaate Imam Ghazali).
3. Hazrat Sha Wali’Allah Muhaddith Dehlawi (RA) states: "As Rasool’Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) has stated, follow this 'Sawad-E-Azam', and when the four Madhabs are within the Sawad-E-Azam then the following of any one of them, is followance of the Sawad-E-Azam. Therefore, refuting any one of them is refuting the Sawad-EAzam". (Aqdul Jayyad).
4. Imam Sufyan Souri (RA) states: "By Sawad-E-Azam is meant those who are called the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat". (Al Mizaanul Qubra).
5. Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlawi (RA) states in his book "Fatwa Azeezi" (Vol. 2, pg. 4) that: "The various parts of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat in Aqaid such as the Ashari, the Maturidi, in Fiqh such as the Hanifah, the Shafi, the Hambali, in Tasawwuf such as the Qadiri, the Chisti, Naqshbandi, the Suhrawardi, this servant considers all of them to be the truth".
6. Imam Rabbani, Mujaddid Alif Thani (RA) states in the second chapter, page 67 of his "Maktubaat Shariff" that: "The way of salvation is followance of the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat. May Almighty Allah bestow blessings upon the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, 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".
