Applying the term Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (the people of the Sunnah and the community) to the sects

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah preserve you. Is it possible to say that the term Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (the people of the Sunnah and the community) is a term that includes many sects that claim this name, whether rightfully or wrongfully? Unlike the term al-Salaf al-Salih (the earliest generations), which is a term that only those who adhered to what came from the Salaf (the earliest generations) adopt. As for ahl al-bid'ah (the people of innovation), they shun this term. What is your opinion of this statement?

Answer:
One is not called Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (the people of the Sunnah and the community) except one who holds fast to the Sunnah, except one who holds fast to the Sunnah. This is the one who is called Ahl al-Sunnah. As for one who opposes the Sunnah and adopts other ideas and schools of thought, it is not said that he is from Ahl al-Sunnah. He may be from Ahl al-Sunnah in some matters, and not from it in others. He may have a degree of adherence to the Sunnah, and he may have an error that opposes the Sunnah in another aspect. As for applying the general term that he is from Ahl al-Sunnah, it is not applied to him as long as he has opposition to it. But it is said that he is from Ahl al-Sunnah in such-and-such only. As for the general application, it is not applied except to one who agrees with the Sunnah in all his matters and does not oppose it. The well-known speech regarding naming is speech regarding reality, the reality and the substance. We know their school and their statements in light of the Sunnah. If they agree with it, it is of the Sunnah. If they oppose it, we say, no, you are not of the Sunnah, you oppose us. And the speech is not merely about naming; the reality and the standard are necessary. Distinguishing their statements and schools in light of the Sunnah. Yes.