The Importance of the Ahl al-Sunnah

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The Importance of the Ahl al-Sunnah,
[A5] Paperback - 256 pages,
*by Harun Yahya.
Printed in Turkey.

Out of Stock

Description :

Who Are the Ahl Al-Sunnah? : The Ahl al-Sunnah are those Muslims who believe and live according to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Only possessing the faith of the Ahl al-Sunnah enables one to gain the knowledge of faith that will lead one to eternal salvation and knowledge of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala. In order to abide by the Sunnah, it is necessary to recognise and follow our Prophet’s, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam's, application of the Qur’an and that of his Companions, who act as a bridge between us and the Sunnah. Our Prophet, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, has stated the status of and need for his Companions :

“My ummah will divide into seventy-three sects. And all of them will belong to Hell except for one (which will belong to Paradise).” The Companions asked him to identify the sect and he said, “The one that will follow the path on which I walk and my Companions walk.” (al-Tirmidhi)

This sect that attains salvation is known as “al-Firqah al-Najiyyah” (the Saved Sect). Another name for it is “Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama‘ah” (those on the path of the Prophet, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam, and his companions). All schools agree, in terms of theology and jurisprudence, on the line drawn by the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah. These schools strive to understand, explain, and live by the will of Allah, subhanahu wa ta'ala, and His Prophet, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam.

When describing the Ahl al-Sunnah, it is also necessary to describe Salafism, a term derived from the word “salaf.” “Salaf” is the general name given to the Prophet’s, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam's Companions, who followed him in the finest possible manner, and to those who followed them. Al-`aqidah al-Salaf was the belief of all Muslims before the different schools of theology (i`tiqad) emerged. In other words, it is the aqidah of the generations of the Ashab al-Kiram and Tabi'un. Its fundamental doctrine is that the Qur’an’s verses and the hadiths are to be accepted literally. Over time, two schools of theology appeared: the Maturidiyyah and Ash`ariyyah.

Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, the founder of the Maturidiyyah school, was born in the village of Maturid, Samarkand, in 238 AH (852 CE) and died in Samarkand in 333 AH (944 CE). His general approach was to employ reason together with revelation and to interpret verses and hadiths, when necessary, by using reason. Most Hanafis and Turks follow this school.

Abu al-Hasan al-Ash`ari, the imam of the Ash`ariyyah school, was born in Basra in 260 AH (873 CE) and died in Baghdad in 324 AH (936 CE). Since his lineage includes the Companion Abu al-Musa al-Ash`ari, he is referred to as al-Ash`ari. Since he was affiliated to the Shafi`i school in deeds, his views were more taken up and disseminated among the Shafi`is. The Malikis also followed his views. Members of the Maturidiyyah and Ash`ariyyah schools differ on very few matters.

The Maturidiyyah and Ash`ariyyah schools represent the Ahl al-Sunnah’s belief. Many other views and schools emerged, such as the Kharijites, Mu’tazilah, Murjiah, Jabriyyah, Mushabbihah, and others. These, in turn, have other subdivisions. These groups are not considered part of the Ahl al-Sunnah.

All of the schools within the Ahl al-Sunnah are in the circle of truth (haqq) and on the true path. The differences among them do not cause corruption (fitnah); rather, they bring mercy. Therefore, those who belong to one of these schools must also appreciate the other schools of truth.

The schools of truth that have emerged in the sphere of Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and theology (i`tiqad) do not deviate from the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Thus, they do not represent a new religion, but rather are branches that serve Islam in the fields of belief, religious observances, ethics and instruction. They are the expressions of Islam as it actually is. All emerged as the result of a serious need, and all are based on the Qur’an and the Sunnah.

Believers must reflect on Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and ethics just as they do on belief, because each one is a component and complement of the others. Fiqh enables people to know what will (and will not) benefit them in all areas of life. Religion is made up of faith, religious observance, and good manners.

Table of Contents :

---The Importance of the Ahl al-Sunnah,

---Believers are told in the Qur'an to obey the Sunnah of the Prophet,
---The Belief (i`tiqad) and essentials of the Ahl al-Sunnah,
---The Ahl al-Sunnah's Schools,
---Defense of the Sunnah,
---Great Islamic Scholars and some of their views,
---Fards (binding duties) in the religion of Islam,
---The excellent model of the Prophet, Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam's, Life,
---The Ummah's sole way to salvation: Al-Firqah al-Najiyyah,
---The End Times and glad tidings for the Ahl al-Sunnah,

---Appendix : The deception of evolution.

*Note about the Author :

Harun Yahya of Turkey was amongst the first pioneers of Islamic Dawah literature. His researched material was well presented and sought after in a limited range of available books. Unfortunately in the present era his focus has changed and he has become involved in a cult and we do not recommend any of his later publications.