Explanation of the Hadith of Hudhayfah: (So keep away from all those sects)

The questioner : So keep away from all those sects, not these and not those.

The Shaykh : Ah, and be with the saved group, is that not so?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Now, let us return to the discussion of the saved group, as we mentioned regarding the victorious group. Is the saved group limited to the group of jihad, and so on? What is the evidence for this? We understand from the hadith that the issue, when he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in that hadith , is that as long as there is no imam who gathers the Muslims under his banner, and every person from these sects wants to appoint himself as an emir, as is the reality of the Muslims today, and as the poet said, "Every one claims a connection to Layla, *** But Layla does not approve of that for them." You know that there are groups, and every group has an emir, and every group strikes the same note that it is necessary to have an emirate. So now we have an emirate here, an emirate here, an emirate here. What is the obligation of the Muslim who is from the saved group, by the indication of this hadith of Hudhayfah? What is his duty? He tells you: keep away from all the sects, meaning do not be partisan for a group or a sect over another, even if you have to bite the trunk of a tree. The issue is that you should not be a member of one of many emirates, because these emirates will clash with each other, unless there is an imam who rules over all the Muslims and gathers them under one banner. Then you must be with him; otherwise, keep away from all the sects. We do not say that one should not be from the saved group. Let us suppose that there is a saved group, hypothetically, but it misunderstood the issue, as is the current reality regarding these emirates. It misunderstood that an emirate is necessary, so one of them appointed himself emir. If you looked at his creed, you would find it to be a Salafi creed. If you looked at his starting point in his life, you would find him upon the Book and the Sunnah. But he deviated and erred in this issue, both intellectually and practically. Intellectually, he said an emirate is necessary, even if there are multiple emirates. Practically, he appointed himself, or the rabble of the people, not the scholars of the Muslims, appointed him as president and emir, so he became an emir. These emirates are the core of the hadith of Hudhayfah: do not be with a group, with a sect from these sects, as long as there is no imam who gathers them. The hadith is very great, and it is contrary to what they claim its indication to be in their favor. Is there anything else?

The questioner : And in another place, it seems I said to the brother Ali that it is forbidden for groups and emirates to multiply in jihad, while he permits it in other than jihad.

The Shaykh : Who is he?

The questioner : This is the author of the book.

The Shaykh : Yes, it is forbidden.

The questioner : It is forbidden, he says, for emirates and groups to multiply in jihad, because they stir up fitnah and divisions, while he permits this multiplicity, saying there is no harm in it outside of jihad.

The Shaykh : I say that an emirate, if what is meant by it is the organization of the situation of the Muslims, whether it is a religious situation or a worldly situation, a leadership, then this leadership is necessary. Even a small library like this library must have a person in charge. But the important research is the great emirate, behind which follows its pledge of allegiance and obedience in ease and hardship, even if they flog your back and take your wealth, and so on. This is absolutely not for them, while they drag these rulings that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said...