Question(53):
What is the most distinguished qualities of the saved group?
Answer:
The most distinguishing quality of the saved group is the adherence to that upon which the Prophet () was upon in matters of ‘Aqeedah (creed), ‘Ibaadah (worship), manners, and transactions. You find the saved group distinguished in these four matters. With respect to ‘Aqeedah, you find it holding on to that which is proven by the Qur’aan and Sunnah from pure Tawheed pertaining to the Ruboobiyyah, Uloohiyyah, and al-Asmaa’ was-Sifaat (Names and Attributes). Regarding worship, you find it distinguished in its perfect adherence to that which the Prophet () was upon in matters of worship and in its execution of them– as regard their types, manners, timing, places, and causes. So you don’t find them innovating in the Religion of Allaah. Rather, they are in an utmost degree of good manners with Allaah and His Messenger. They do not introduce any kind of worship, which Allaah did not approve, in advance, before Allaah and His Messenger. You also find them distinguished from others in their good manners, love of good to the Muslims, openness of their hearts, cheerful faces, eloquence, and so forth, from the noble and beautiful aspects of manners. And with regards to transactions, you find them treating others with truthfulness and clarity, and which the Prophet () alluded to in his saying:
So, this is the distinction and the distinguishing mark for ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, the saved group, which follows that which the Prophet () was upon.
73 Reported by al-Bukhaaree in his Saheeh, vol.3, no.293, and Muslim, vol.3, no.3661.