9. Who are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah?

Question: Who are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah?Answer: Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah are those who hold fast to the Sunnah, who are united upon it, paying no heed to other than it, neither in matters of knowledge and beliefs, nor in matters pertaining to the legality of deeds. This is why they are known as Ahlus-Sunnah, because they hold fast to it, and they are called Ahlul-Jama’ah, because they are united upon it. If one examines the case of Ahlul-Bid’ah, (the People of Innovation), one finds that they are in disagreement in what they follow, whether it is their religious beliefs or their deeds. This disagreeing proves that they are far away from the Sunnah, the more they innovate therein.Shaikh Muhammad bin Salih Al-’Uthaimeen[Taken from Fatawa Arkan-ul-Islam (Islamic Verdicts on the Pillars of Islaam, Volume 1 (Creed & Prayer), Darussalam pg.37-38]