A summary of the concepts held by Ahl al-Sunnah.
The meaning of the term "sect" (firqah).
The terminology of the sect.
It is a synonym for the term "group" (ta'ifah).
It refers to a collective united by a single ideology.
This is illustrated by the statement of the Prophet, peace be upon him, in the hadith regarding the splitting of the community.
"The Jews split into seventy-one or seventy-two sects."
"And the Christians split into seventy-one or seventy-two sects."
"And my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects."
Narrated by Abu Dawud, al-Tirmidhi, and Ahmad.
All of them are from the hadith of Abu Hurayrah, may Allah be pleased with him.
In the narration of 'Awf Ibn Malik, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding this hadith:
He added at the end:
"One is in Paradise,"
"And seventy-two are in the Fire."
It was asked, "O Messenger of Allah, who are they?"
He replied, "The Jama'ah (the main body)."
Narrated by Ibn Majah and authenticated by al-Albani.
Thus, this single saved sect,
Is the sect and group of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah,
Those who remained upon that which the Messenger, peace be upon him, was upon,
And his Companions, in both belief and practice.
As for those other than them, they are among the deviant sects,
From the people of whims and innovations.
Sometimes their innovation is one of disbelief that expels one from the fold of Islam,
Such as the innovations of the Batiniyyah and the polytheistic extremists among the Sufis.
And sometimes it is not an innovation of disbelief,
In which case its adherents are merely,
Outside the circle of Ahl al-Sunnah,
Yet they remain among the people of the faith and the Qiblah.
A summary of the concepts held by Ahl al-Sunnah.