To Proceed
Many of us are familiar with the term Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah as this term is used widely amongst different Muslim communities residing in different lands. However, you will hear different groups with conflicting creeds claiming they are Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah. You will see different organizations giving their community, institutions and mosques the title of Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah, yet these same groups are arguing and fighting amongst each other. They cannot come to terms with even matters pertaining to the Aqeedah (creed) of Islam. So how can they all profess to be a ‘Jamaa’ah’ or ‘collective group’ when the world bears witness to their splitting and segregation?
The answer to this question lies in the plain and simple fact that the people do not understand the meaning of Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah despite their eagerness to use this term. This term has a sharee’ah definition which is distinct from its linguistic one. So let us clarify the meaning of the term Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah, describing what the expression signifies, and explaining why its subscription is obligatory upon us?
From the language, Ahlus Sunnah means the ‘people of the Sunnah’ and Wal Jamaa’ah means ‘and the group.’ So the expression translates into ‘The people of the Sunnah and the group.’ So those who rely on language alone will never be able to make sense of this expression, for they will differ in the definition of Al Jamaa’ah even if they understand that Ahlus Sunnah refers to the people of the Prophets Sunna.
The term Ahlus Sunnah refers to the people who follow the Sunnah of Muhammad(peace and blessings be upon him) by referring to his guidance found in his sayings, actions and approvals preserved in authentic Ahaadeeth. This is why the term is interchangeable with Ahlul Hadeeth for the Ahaadeeth convey the Sunna being sought. Inshaa Allah this is clear to many of us. However what the people appear to be confused about is the meaning of Al Jamaa’ah, so let us focus on deriving the sharee’ah definition of this word using the evidences found in The Quran and Sunnah.
In sharee’ah the word Al Jamaa’ah refers to the companions of Muhammad and those who followed them in guidance. This is the Jamaa’ah united together under the true banner of Islaam. So Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are the people who adhere to the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the understanding and practices of the companions(May Allah be pleased with them all). Thus it becomes clear that this term is an attribute amongst the many attributes of the believers, describing their characteristic of following the Prophets Sunna and uniting themselves with the companions, understanding and practicing Islaam as the companions understood and practiced it.
They said, “O people! Verily we have heard a book sent down after Musa, confirming that which came before it. It guides to the truth and to the Tareeq-im Mustaqeem (Quran 46:30)
Allah has mentioned different names and attributes of His path of guidance. In the above verse He refers to it as the Tareeq-im Mustaqeem, meaning the straight way. However the word Tareeqah also includes the attribute of action, ‘describing a way of doing things,’ as Ibn Katheer points out in his tafseer of The Quran. So if someone is upon the path of guidance, Allah has guided that person to the proper way of performing deeds and actions which lead to His pleasure.
And verily this is My Siraat Al Mustaqeem, so follow it. And follow not other paths for they will separate you from His Sabeel. (Quran 6:153)
However, more commonly in the Quran Allah refers to His path as the Siraat Al Mustaqeem, meaning the straight path upon which the believers tread. Again the word Mustaqeem has been used describing the path to be straight and firm with no crookedness or deviations within it. In the above verse Allah also refers to this path as His Sabeel, with the word Sabeel again describing a singular path.
And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has been clearly shown to him and follows other than the Sabeel Al Mu’mineen (believers path), We shall keep him in the path he has chosen and burn him in Hell. What an evil destination (Quran 4:115)
He further describes the path as the Sabeel Al Mu’mineen, describing a further attribute of this singular path in that this Sabeel is the Sabeel of the believers, which refers to the path of the companions(May Allah be pleased with them all) who were the first and foremost amongst the believers of this Ummah, and the first to hear this verse being revealed.
And hold fast to the rope of Allah Jamee’an and be not divided amongst yourselves, and remember Allah’s favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together so that, by His Grace, you became brothers….(Quran 3:103)
In the above verse Allah instructs the companions to hold on to His rope, with His rope being one. Furthermore He instructs them to hold on Jamee’an, meaning all together as one united group. Thus it becomes clear that the foundation of the Jamaa’ah (group) who traversed the Sabeel Al Mu’mineen were the companions of Muhammad. They were the ones who were rightly guided on the Siraat Al Mustaqeem.
Umar narrated that the prophet said, stick to the ‘Jamaa’ah’ (sunan of tirmidhi/ declared saheeh by albaani)
In addition the authentic ahaadeeth further clarify these verses. In the above hadeeth our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) specifically referred to the Jamaa’ah, ordering us to stick to it. So nobody can argue that the use of this word is an innovation.
Anas narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, indeed the children of Israel split into seventy one sects and my Ummah will split into seventy two sects, all of them in the fire except one and that is the Jamaa’ah (sunan of ibn maajah/ declared saheeh by albaani)
Furthermore, in the above hadeeth our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) defined the Jamaa’ah to be those amongst his Ummah who would be saved from the Fire. Again we have the use of the word Jamaa’ah along with its praiseworthy attribute.
Abdullah bin Amr narrated that the Messenger of Allah(peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘The children of Israel split into seventy two sects and my Ummah will split into seventy three sects, all of them in the Fire except one.’ They asked, which one is that O Messenger of Allah?’ he said, ‘That which I and my companions are upon.’ (sunan of tirmidi/declared hasan by Albaani)
However, the hadeeth of Abdullah bin Amr restricts the definition of the Jamaa’ah used in the hadeeth of Anas to be those who are upon that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions were upon. So it becomes clear that the foundation of the Jamaa’ah comprises of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions(May Allah be pleased with them all), and the additions to the Jamaa’ah are those who follow the Sunnah of the Prophet and unite themselves with the companions. If adhering to the understanding and the practices of the companions was not important then he would have simply said, ‘That which I am upon.’
Ibn abbaas said, Allah commanded the believers to adhere to the Jamaa’ah and forbade them from causing divisions and disputes. (tafseer ibn katheer)
The companions understood the prohibition of splitting for they knew very well that they were the Jamaa’ah. Furthermore, Ibn Abbaas linked the usage of the word Jamaa’ah to the words Siraat Al Mustaqeem and Sabeel used by Allah in the Quran, for the above quote is in reference to verse 6:153.
Ibn Mas’ood (may Allah be pleased with him) said, ‘The Jamaa’ah is what conforms to the truth even if you are alone.’ (Al Mishkaat/ declared saheeh by albaani)
After the companions(May Allah be pleased with them all), all those who follow their way, adhering to the truth, are counted as amongst the Jamaa’ah, for they have united themselves with the foundation of the Jamaa’ah. The above quote by Ibn Mas’ood (May Allah be pleased with him) shows the depth of knowledge and understanding of the companions for they knew that the Jamaa’ah did not simply mean a group of Muslims. Rather it refers to those who are upon the truth, even if they are scattered, separated by time and space.
The Sharee’ah definition of the term Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah becomes clear after considering the above evidences, leaving no room for doubt or differing. This is how the early generations of Muslims understood this term.
In this time of ours when there is Fitnah and Fasaad, we should be careful not to mock this term for it refers to the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the collective Jamaa’ah of his companions(May Allah be pleased with them all), together with all those who followed their way. However, on the other extreme we should not be naïve to believe that every organisation that calls itself Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah is upon this pure methodology and understanding. Rather we respect the term, understanding it correctly, and realising that its usage necessitates adherence to the Sunnah of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the way of his beloved companions(May Allah be pleased with them all). Let us leave the numerous new ideologies and movements that have plagued this Ummah today, and return to the path of seeking knowledge, reading the earlier works of the scholars which clarify the companions understanding of the Quran and Sunnah. Only then can we truly call ourselves Ahlus Sunna Wal Jamaa’ah and hope to be gathered with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) at his Kawthar on The Day when many amongst his Ummah will be driven away from him.
O Allah! Forgive us and guide us to Your path, the path wherein we find the Sunnah of Muhammad and the Sabeel of his companions. Forgive our shortcomings, increase us in knowledge and enlighten our hearts. O Allah! Join us with the Jamaa’ah and let us die not except in the pure state of Islam.
Written by Kamillah Khan
