Who are the true people of the Sunnah?
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Perhaps the distinction between the scholars of the Sunnah, the scholars of truth, and the scholars of falsehood may be confused for some of the common people, and perhaps for some students of knowledge. One of the distinguished men informed me that there are characteristics in the common person, or one who is confused, that he must be sincere in his seeking of knowledge, asking, and acting thereafter, and likewise exerting his utmost effort and energy, and asking about what concerns him. And there are three characteristics in the scholar: that he be upon the truth, that he be pleased with the Salaf (may Allah be pleased with them), and that he refute those who have erred. And he told me of an incident that occurred between him and one who was afflicted with declaring people disbelievers outside the Kingdom.So he said to him: If you say: "The ruler of your country is a disbeliever," then bite the leg of the tree, as in the hadith of Hudhayfah, that he should isolate himself from the people. So, O Shaykh (may Allah preserve you), is this understanding correct, and are these details correct? We would like to benefit from you, O Shaykh.
The people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it clearly, and for this reason they are called the people of the Sunnah.If it is said: The people of the Sunnah are in contrast to the Rafidah, the Shi'ah. The Asha'irah and others who claim affiliation with the Sunnah have entered into this category.For this reason it is said: Sunnah and Shi'ah.
And if by "the people of the Sunnah" are meant those who hold fast to it, then those who have departed from the Sunnah by not holding fast to it are excluded. For example, the Asha'irah in the chapter of attributes are not from the people of the Sunnah, because the people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it in creed, speech, and action. They are the Companions, the Tabi'un who followed them in excellence, and the imams of the Muslims after them.
For this reason, you will find some authors who divide the people of the Sunnah into three categories: the Asha'irah, the Maturidiyyah, and the Salaf. This is an error, unless it is meant in contrast to the Rafidah, in which case there is no harm; they are Sunnah. But the correct view is that the people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it.For this reason it is said: The people of the Sunnah and the community,The community: meaning unity,Meaning: holding fast to the Sunnah and united upon it.
And as for these conditions mentioned in the question, they have no basis.Rather, it is said: Whoever holds fast to the Sunnah in creed, speech, and action is from the people of the Sunnah.
The people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it clearly, and for this reason they are called the people of the Sunnah.If it is said: The people of the Sunnah are in contrast to the Rafidah, the Shi'ah. The Asha'irah and others who claim affiliation with the Sunnah have entered into this category.For this reason it is said: Sunnah and Shi'ah.
And if by "the people of the Sunnah" are meant those who hold fast to it, then those who have departed from the Sunnah by not holding fast to it are excluded. For example, the Asha'irah in the chapter of attributes are not from the people of the Sunnah, because the people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it in creed, speech, and action. They are the Companions, the Tabi'un who followed them in excellence, and the imams of the Muslims after them.
For this reason, you will find some authors who divide the people of the Sunnah into three categories: the Asha'irah, the Maturidiyyah, and the Salaf. This is an error, unless it is meant in contrast to the Rafidah, in which case there is no harm; they are Sunnah. But the correct view is that the people of the Sunnah are those who hold fast to it.For this reason it is said: The people of the Sunnah and the community,The community: meaning unity,Meaning: holding fast to the Sunnah and united upon it.
And as for these conditions mentioned in the question, they have no basis.Rather, it is said: Whoever holds fast to the Sunnah in creed, speech, and action is from the people of the Sunnah.