Written by:

Allaamah Kaukab Noorani Okarvi  (May his grace continue)

Bismil Laahir Rahmaan Nir Raheem

Was-Salaatu Was-Salaamu ‘Alaa Rasoolihil Kareem

It is the boundless reward and favor of the True Worthy of Worship, Allaah Kareem (Jalla Shaanuhu) on us, the people of Islaam and Ieemaan, that He has blessed us with the everlasting favor and wealth of His chosen religion, Islaam. And He has given us the honor of being the best nation ( خير الامم Khaierul Umam) by making us the patrons and trustees of Islaam and Ieemaan. Billions of Durood and Salutation be upon the last and the beloved Holy Prophet of Allaah Jalla Shaanuhu by whose grace and means we have received Islaam, Ieemaan and all blessings. Through him we have also received the acknowledgment of Allaah Jalla Shaanuhu.

The Qur’aan and Ahaadees are the fundamental origin of our Ieemaan and the religion Islaam. From these we have been given the names of the Mu’min and Muslim, the companions of the holy Prophet, the family and progeny of the holy Prophet, as well as the Muslims who immediately followed and were present in the era of the companions of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) (i.e. Taabi’een), and the followers of the Taabi’een (i.e. Tab’a Taabi’een) have been entitled from these names.

Our beloved Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has ordered us to firmly hold on to Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at and to follow and conform to (The largest group) Sawaad-e-A’zam.  Moreover the everlasting reality has been clarified with clear statements and our path to salvation has been identified by him.  The dependence of salvation is only correct beliefs. And in absolute clear consensus it is mandatory to follow and obey Sawaad-e-A’zam Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at. السواد الأعظم اهل السنة والجماعة

All those people who comply to the way of the beloved Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and his sacred Companions (Allaah be pleased with them) are called Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.  The reason for this title is evident from its name, the followers of the Sunnat and the reason to call them Jamaa’at is that these people have united on Haqq (Truth) and are not involved in deviations. In the early era the reformers of the Ummat have endeavored to protect the Islaamic Nation from falsehood. This endeavor is called Maslak-e-Haqq Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at (The True Path of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at). In practical form all the companions of the holy Prophet, the family and progeny of the Prophet, the Muslims who immediately followed and were present in their era of the companions of the holy Prophet ( تابعين Taabi’een), the followers of the Taabi’een ( تبع تابعين Tab’a Taabi’een), The compilers of Ahaadees (محدثين Muhaddiseen), the highest authorities of Islaamic Jurisprudence (مجتهدين Mujtahideen) and the accomplished saints have all remained constrained on this true path Maslak-e-Haqq Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.

Those Muslims who are by belief Maatureedi or Ash’aree and in Jurist form the followers (مقلدين  Muqallideen) of Hanafee, Shaafi’ee, Maalikee, Hanmbalee and are associated with some correct Chain of Suufi  Doctrines Qaadiree, Chishtee, Naqshbandee, Suharwardee, Shaazli, Rifaa’ee etc. are all Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at (In one word  سنى “Sunni”). (Those Sunni Believers with correct beliefs who are not their followers or are not associated with any Suufi Chain of Doctrine they are also included in Sawaad-e-A’zam.)  Since the beginning of every era Sawaad-e-A’zam Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at have been in large quantity. But the rule of evaluation is not more or less rather it is the following of the Truth.

The title or term Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at has not been self-created after the first three periods (قرون ثلاثه Quroon-e- Salaasah). Rather before the innovated sects this expression is being used for the true Muslims with correct beliefs since the period of the sacred physical presence of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and the His holy Companions.

Therefore the narration of Hazrat Saiyyidinaa Imaam Zaien-ul-Aabideen Alee Bin Husaien (Allaah be pleased with them) is present that

(علامة أهل السنة كثرة الصلاة على رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم) .

“To send Durood Shareef in abundance on the Beloved Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) is the sign of being Ahl-e-Sunnat.” (Al-Targheeb: 963, Al Qaulul Badee page 52, Fazaail e A’maal page 688.)

٢٦٤١ – حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلَانَ قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو دَاوُدَ الحَفَرِيُّ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زِيَادٍ الأَفْرِيقِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَيَأْتِيَنَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي مَا أَتَى عَلَى بني إسرائيل حَذْوَ النَّعْلِ بِالنَّعْلِ، حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ مِنْهُمْ مَنْ أَتَى أُمَّهُ عَلَانِيَةً لَكَانَ فِي أُمَّتِي مَنْ يَصْنَعُ ذَلِكَ، وَإِنَّ بني إسرائيل تَفَرَّقَتْ عَلَى ثِنْتَيْنِ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، وَتَفْتَرِقُ أُمَّتِي عَلَى ثَلَاثٍ وَسَبْعِينَ مِلَّةً، كُلُّهُمْ فِي النَّارِ إِلَّا مِلَّةً وَاحِدَةً»، قَالُوا: وَمَنْ هِيَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ؟ قَالَ: «مَا أَنَا عَلَيْهِ وَأَصْحَابِي»:

It is narrated by Abdul Laah Bin Amar that the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has stated “……Certainly Bani Israa’eel  (The progeny of Israa’eel) are divided in 72 groups and my Ummat (Nation) will be divided in 73 groups, beside just one group all will go to hell.” The respected Companions (Allaah be pleased with them) said, “Yaa Rasoolal Laah! (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaieka Wa Sallam), Who will be that one group?” So the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) stated “The path on which I am and are my Companions on.” (Tirmizee:2641 , Ibne Maajah: 3992, Abu Daawood: 4597, Miskaat: 171)

Imaam Mullaa Alee Qaari (Allaah have mercy on him) has said that ما انا عليه واصحابى“Maa Anaa ‘Alaiehi Wa As-haabi‘s “ verification is undoubtedly, the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.  It is said the clarification of the statement is like this that the dwellers of Paradise are those who are by belief, by words and by action on the way of the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and his Companions. Because without any difference this is well known that the matter on which the Scholars of Islaam agree is the Truth and beside this it is not true.

وعن ابن عمر قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ” إن الله لا يجمع أمتي أو قال: أمة محمد على ضلالة ويد الله على الجماعة ومن شذ شذ في النار “. . رواه الترمذي

It is stated by Ibne Umar (Allaah be pleased with them) in narrations he have said the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has stated, “Undoubtedly Allaah Ta’aalaa will not unite the Followers of the Muhammad on falsehood and the Have of Allaah is on the Jamaa’at .”

قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «اتبعوا السواد الأعظم فإنه من شذ شذ في النار» . رواه ابن ماجه من حديث أنس:

“Follow Sawaad-e-A’zam, besides any person who detaches (by belief or by words or by action from this Jamaa’at) he is separate in fire.  The meaning and translation of this is the person who is detached from his fellow People of Paradise (Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at), he will be placed in the hell.” (Tirmizee: 2167, Kanzul Ul Ummaal: 1029, 1030, Mishkaat :173, 174)

Hazrat Ibne Abbaas (Allaah be pleased with him) narrated that the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) has said,   مَنْ فَارَقَ الجَمَاعَةَ شِبْرًا فَمَاتَ، إِلَّا مَاتَ مِيتَةً جَاهِلِيَّةً»

“Whoever becomes separate from the Jamaa’at (Ahl-e-Sunnat) even for a span and then dies, he will die as a rebellious sinner.” (Bukhaari: 7054)

The scholar of the opponents of Ahl-e-Sunnat Allaamah Ibne Taimiyyah has written in the interpretation of

يوم تبيض وجوه وتسود وجوه “Yauma Tabyaddu Wujoohun-Wa Taswaddu Wujooh………” (Al Qur’aan, Ch 3, Verse:106)

“Ibne Abbaas (Allaah be pleased with him) states, “On the Day of Judgment Ahl-e-Sunnat faces will be white and their opponent’s faces will be black.”

He further says, “Amongst all the Sects, Ahl-e-Sunnat is the best, like the Muslim Ummah is the best among all Followers ( أمم Umam).” As stated in Al Qur’aan (Ch 2, Verse: 143),

وكذلك  جعلناكم أمة وسطا “Wa Kazaalika Ja’alnaa Kum Um-matanw-wasataa….”(Majmoo’ul Fataawaa, pg278-370 vol:3, Tafseer Ibne Kaseer, pg390 vol:1. Dailmi Musnad Ul Firdaus, Hadees #8986, Kanzul Ul Ummaal, Hadees #2637. Taareekh e Baghdaad, Hadees #3908. Tafseer Mazhari, pg116 vol: 1. Ibne Abi Haatim and Abu Nasar in Ibaanah and Al laal Kaaee in As-sunnah: 74)

Ibne Taimiyyah further says, “Undoubtedly the absolved group (Al Firqat un Naajiyah) is only Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at”.  (Majmoo’ul Fataawaa, pg 141 vol: 3)

وَأخرج ابْن أبي حَاتِم وَأَبُو نصر فِي الْإِبَانَة والخطيب فِي تَارِيخه واللالكائي فِي السّنة عَن ابْن عَبَّاس فِي هَذِه الْآيَة قَالَ{تبيض وُجُوه وَتسود وُجُوه} قَالَ تبيض وُجُوه أهل السّنة وَالْجَمَاعَة وَتسود وُجُوه أهل الْبدع والضلالة

وَأخرج الْخَطِيب فِي رُوَاة مَالك والديلمي عَن ابْن عمر عَن النَّبِي صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم فِي قَوْله تَعَالَى {يَوْم تبيض وُجُوه وَتسود وُجُوه} قَالَ: تبيض وُجُوه أهل السّنة وَتسود وُجُوه أهل الْبدع

وَأخرج أَبُو نصر السجْزِي فِي الْإِبَانَة عَن أبي سعيد الْخُدْرِيّ أَن رَسُول الله صلى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَرَأَ {يَوْم تبيض وُجُوه وَتسود وُجُوه} قَالَ: تبيض وُجُوه أهل الْجَمَاعَات وَالسّنة وَتسود وُجُوه أهل الْبدع والأهواء

And Imaam Abu Nasar As-Sajzee in his book ‘Ibaanah’ narrated by Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudree (Allaah be pleased with him) he have said the Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) read this Aayat and stated, “On the Day of Judgment Ahl-e Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at’s faces will be white and shining and their opponents faces will be black”. (الدر المنثور Ad-Durr Ul Mansuur, pg 63 vol:2)

Saiyyidina Ghaus-e-A’zam Shaiekh Abdul Qaadir Jeelaani  (Allaah be pleased with him) has said, “The group of salvation ( الفرقة الناجيه Al Firqat un Naajiyah) is only Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.  It is mandatory for a true Muslim to follow the Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.” (Ghunyat-ut-Taalibeen, pg 192)

Muhiy-ud-Deen, Mu’een-ud-Deen, Shahaab-ud-Deen, Bahaa-ud-Deen, Qutb-ud-Deen, Fareed-ud-Deen, Nizaam-ud-Deen, Alaa-ud-Deen, Naseer-ud-Deen, Hameed-ud-Deen, Jalaal-ud-Deen,  Muslih-ud-Deen, Husaam-ud-Deen, Salaah-ud-Deen, Noor-ud-Deen, Auhad-ud-Deen, Muneer-ud-Deen, Taaj-ud-Deen, Shareef-ud-Deen, Sharaf-ud-Deen,  Sadeed-ud-Deen, Shams-ud-Deen, Najeeb-ud-Deen, Kareem-ud-Deen were all Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at. Sainthood ( ولاية Walaayat) without any doubt is the reward of Allaah Ta’aalaa and reward is only given to the friends and loved ones. This is a clear evidence of authenticity of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.

In the previous century there have been those who were not the genuine Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at believers but they wanted to call themselves so.  Therefore to clarify the identification of the true believers of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at the title  بريلوى“Barelvi” is used.  In the 14th century the great reviver and leader of the Ahl-e-Sunnat A’laa Hazrat Maulana Shaah Ahmad Razaa Khan Barelvi (Allaah have mercy on him) did not allow the conspiracy of the others to nurture and with excellent endurance and steadfastness fulfilled the right of the certain representation of Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at.  Due to his association, today the label of “Barelvi” is the recognition of true Ahl-e-Sunnat Wa Jamaa’at and the title of trustworthiness of every true Sunni.