PEOPLE OF THE SUNNA
ON THE PEOPLE OF THE SUNNA [AHL AS-SUNNA] mstheme>
AS THE ONLY GROUP SAVED FROM DAMNATION [AL-FIRQAT AN-NAJIYA], AND ON THE DEROGATORY NAMES APPLIED TO THEM BY CERTAIN OTHER GROUPS AND SECTS.mstheme>
As for the one group that is saved from damnation [al-firqat an-najiya], it is the People of the Sunna and the Community [Ahl as-Sunna wa’l-Jama’a]. We have already explained their doctrine and system of belief in previous discussions.
The Qadariyya [Ed. Not to be confused with the Qadiriyya] and the Mu’tazila apply the label “Compulsives” [Mujbara] to the members of this group that is saved from damnation, because the latter maintain that all products of creation [makhluqat] are entirely dependent on the volition [mashi’a], the power [qudra], the will [irada] and the creativity [khalq] of Allah (Exalted is He).
The Murji’a prefer to call them “Skeptics” [Shakkakiyya], because of their hesitant attitude to faith [li’stithna’ihim fi’l–iman], deduced from the fact that anyone who belongs to this group will say: “I am a believer [mu’min], if Allah (Exalted is He) so wills [insha’a’llahu ta’ala],” as we have previously explained at some length.
The Rafida call the People of the Sunna “Imam-makers” [Nasibiyya], because they profess the doctrine which calls for the election [ikhtiyar] of the Imam and his installation [nasb] in office on terms of accountability [bi’l-‘aqd].
The Jahmiyya and the Najjariyya call them “Anthropomorphists” [Mushabbiha] because they affirm the reality of the attributes [sifat] of the Maker [al-Bari] (Almighty and Glorious is He), such as Knowledge [‘Ilm], Power [Qudra] and Life [Hayat], as well as other attributes.
The Batiniyya call them “Trash Collectors” [Hashwiyya], because they maintain the authenticity of the akhbar [traditional reports handed down from the Prophet himself (Allah bless him and give him peace)] and attach importance to the athar [traditional reports handed down from the Companions (may Allah be well pleased with them all)].
As we have explained, however, the only proper appellation for them is “Adherents of the Tradition [Ashab al-Hadith] and People of the Sunna [Ahl as-Sunna].”
?Baz Publications
