[8] The Saved-Sect love and honour the mujtahid Imaams (those Scholars who are able to extract rulings from the Book and the Sunnah). However, they do not have ta'assub (bigoted blind adherence) to any particular one of them. On the contrary, they take fiqh (rulings) from the Qur‘aan and the authentic ahaadeeth, upon the understanding, and the sayings, of all of the Scholars - if it is in agreement with the authentic ahaadeeth. Indeed, this agrees with their saying, that you should take it if it agrees with the authentic hadeeth and leave whatever disagrees with it.

[Imaam Aboo Haneefah (d.150H) - rahimahullaah – said, “If a hadeeth is found to be authentic, then that is my madhhab.” [21]

Imaam Maalik (d.179H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Indeed I am only a man. I am sometimes mistaken and at other times correct; so look into my opinions. All that agrees with the Book and the Sunnah, accept it; and all that does not agree with the Book and the Sunnah, then abandon it.” [22]

Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee (d.204H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Everything that I say, for which there is something authentically related from the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) contrary to my saying, then the hadeeth of the Prophet comes first. So do not make taqleed (blind-following) of me.” [23]

Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullaah – said, “Do not make taqleed (blind-following) of me, nor make taqleed of Maalik, nor of ash-Shaafi'ee, nor of al-Awzaa'ee, nor of ath-Thawree. But take from where they took.” [24]]

[9] The Saved-Sect orders the good and forbids the evil. Thus it renounces the innovated ways and destructive parties and groups which split the Ummah: those that innovate in the Religion and innovate with regards the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and that of his Companions.

[10] The Saved-Sect calls the Muslims to cling to the Qur‘aan and to the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and to the way of his Companions, until victory is decreed for them; and until they enter Paradise by the Grace of Allaah and the shifaa'ah (intercession) of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).

[11] The Saved-Sect reject those laws which are man-made when they contradict the judgement of Islaam. Rather, it calls to the judgement by the Book of Allaah, which Allaah revealed for the happiness and benefit of mankind, both in this world and in the Hereafter, and Allaah - the Most Perfect, the Most High - knows what it is that will correct and reform them. So His Law is firm and constant, it will not alter for the rest of time, nor does the passage of time alter its values. Indeed, the reason for the misfortunes of this world in general, and the Islaamic world in particular - which is experiencing misfortune, lowliness and humiliation - is: abandoning judging by the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). And nothing will make the Muslims strong again except by them returning to the teachings of Islaam - individually, collectively and in their governance - acting upon the saying of Allaah, the Most High,

“Indeed, never will Allaah change the condition of a people until they change themselves.” [25]

[12] The Saved-Sect call the Muslims collectively to Jihaad in the path of Allaah - which is obligatory upon every Muslim in accordance with his ability and strength. And Jihaad comprises the following:-

[i] Jihaad with the Tongue and the Pen: to call the Muslims and others to the adherence of the true and correct Islaam and adherence to Tawheed free from the Shirk which has spread in the Islaamic lands; and which Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) informed us would appear amongst the Muslims, saying, “The Hour will not be established until a group from my Ummah will follow the mushriks, and large groups [26] of my Ummah will worship idols.” [25]

[ii] Jihaad with Wealth: and it is to give wealth for the propagation of Islaam and for printing da'wah books based upon the correct approach. It also consists of the distribution of funds to the weak Muslims to incline their hearts and to strengthen them. It also consists of the manufacture and purchase of weapons and equipping the mujaahideen - providing them with food, clothing and other requirements.

[iii] Jihaad with Oneself: it consists of fighting and participating in battle for the victory of Islaam, such that the Word of Allaah is made uppermost, whilst the word of kufr (disbelief) is debased and made low.

And the noble Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) pointed to these three types of Jihaad in his saying: “Make Jihaad against the mushrikeen with your wealth, yourselves and your tongues.” [28]

And the ruling concerning Jihaad in the path of Allaah is according to the following cases:-

Fard 'Ayn (individual obligation): When the enemy aggressors take over any part of the Muslim lands - such as Palestine - which has been over-run by the wicked Jews. So it is an obligation upon the Muslims - whether with their wealth or their selves - to drive out the Jews from Palestine and return Masjidul-Aqsaa to the Muslims - the Muslims being sinful until they do so.

Fard Kifaayah (collective obligation): If some Muslims carry it out, then it is no longer obligatory upon the rest of them. And it is to convey the da'wah (call) of Islaam to the rest of the lands until they are ruled by Islaam. So whosoever contends with and obstructs the da'wah, then they must be fought until the obstruction is removed and the da'wah is allowed to continue freely.

[1] al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved-Sect) are few amongst the people. Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) prayed for them in the following words: “Toobaa (a tree in Paradise) is for the Strangers - the people who are righteous amongst a people who are mostly wicked, those that disobey them are more than those who obey them.” [29] And the noble Qur‘aan inform about them. So it says in praise of them,

“But few of My Servants are grateful.” [30]

[2] The Saved-Sect are abandoned by most people, who slander them and ridicule them with insulting names. So there is for them an example in the Prophets - 'alayhimus-salaam - about whom Allaah said,

“And so We appointed for every Prophet an enemy; devils amongst mankind and jinn, inspiring one another with flowery discourses by way of deception.” [31]

And Allaah's Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) was treated in this way by his people. So when he called them to Tawheed they called him a sorcerer and a liar - whereas prior to this they used to call him as-Saadiq (truthful) and al-Ameen (trustworthy).

[3] Shaykh 'Abdul-'Azeez Ibn Baaz - hafidhahullaah - was asked about al-Firqatun-Naajiyah (the Saved-Sect), so he said, “They are the Salafees [32] and all who adhere to the path of the Salafus-Saalih (the Pious Predecessors).”

[1] The Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, “There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah victorious upon the truth, not being harmed by those who oppose them until the command of Allaah comes about, and they are like that.” [33]

[2] He (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said, “When the people of Shaam (Syria, Jordan, Palestine) become corrupt then there will be no good in you. And there will not cease to be a group from my Ummah being helped; those that oppose them will not harm them, until the hour is established.” [34]

[3] Ibnul-Mubaarak (d.151H) - rahimahullaah – said, “According to me, they are Ashaabul-Hadeeth (the Scholars of Hadeeth).” [35]

[4] Imaam al-Bukhaaree (d.256H) - rahimahullaah – said, “It means: Ahlul-Hadeeth (the People of Hadeeth).” [36]

[5] Imaam Ahmad (d.241H) - rahimahullaah – said, “If this Taa‘ifatul-Mansoorah (Victorious and Aided Group) is not Ashaabul-Hadeeth, then I do not know who they are.” [37]

[al-Qaadee 'Iyaad (d.544H) - rahimahullaah – said, “What Ahmad intended was Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah: those who hold the 'aqeedah of Ahlul-Hadeeth.” [38]]

[6] Indeed, Ahlul-Hadeeth, by virtue of their competence in the study of the Sunnah, are not attached to any person, but are altogether concerned with the Sunnah of the Prophet (sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam); his guidance, his manners, his battles, and whatever else pertains to him.

[7] Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee said, whilst addressing Imaam Ahmad, “You are more knowledgeable about Hadeeth than I am. So if there comes to you a Hadeeth that is authentic, then make me aware of it, until I accept it and accord with it - it is from Basrah.” [39]