Ahl As-Sunnah - Who Are They?

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Ahl As-Sunnah Wal-Jamaa'ah is a title that describes a people who are upon the way or Sunnah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, upon the understanding of his Companions. They are the ones who were described by the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم as the saved sect - the only sect that would be saved from the Hellfire from among the 73 sects that the Ummah would split into. The title became widely used when deviant sects emerged and began to spread, so as to distinguish those upon the pure, authentic path of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. Ahl As-Sunnah are a people who honour the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the best way possible, as they honour the inheritors of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. They recognize the virtues of the Sahabah, as they recognize the scholars of Sunnah from the period of the Salaf As-Saaliheen and those who came after. In Aqeedah, they stick to what the Qur'aan and Sunnah have come with, and do not mix falsehood with truth. They reject any source that is not founded on the Qur'aan and Sunnah, such as philosophical rhetoric. Rather, they suffice with the teachings of the Salaf As-Saaliheen, whom the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم have praised. In Fiqh, they recognize the well-known scholars, most notably the famous four Imams - Abu Haneefah, Maalik, Ash-Shaafi'ee, and Ahmad. They learn, implement, and teach their fiqh, knowing that each of the Imams have connected chains returning to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. In Akhlaaq, they uphold the lofty traits and characters practiced and taught by the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. They are leaders in implementing Ibaadah and practicing Zuhd. They are the followers of the Salaf As-Saaliheen (i.e. "Salafis"). They are As-haab Al-Hadeeth wal-Athar (i.e. "Atharis", "Ahl Al-Hadeeth"). They are the people of Sunnah upon the way of the Jamaa'ah of the Sahaabah.