I live in India and I embraced Islam in 2008 CE; I used to be
Roman Catholic. I always go to the mosque now, and it is a mosque belonging to
Ahl al-Hadeeth. The people in my neighbourhood call thselves Ahl al-Hadeeth
more than they call themselves Muslims. The Prophet (blessings and peace of
Allah be upon him) said that the group among his ummah who will enter Paradise
is the one that follows Qur’an and Sunnah. I hope that you can tell me whether
it is permissible to describe ourselves as Ahl al-Hadeeth or as Muslims?
Praise be to Allah
Firstly:
We are very happy to hear that you have become Muslim and that
you always pray in congregation in the mosque. We ask Allah, may He be exalted,
to increase you in guidance and steadfastness.
Secondly:
There is no reason why a group of Muslims should not call
themselves Ahl as-Sunnah or Ahl al-Hadeeth, or any other names that are
indicative of a Muslim’s sound methodology and following the Qur’an and Sunnah,
so as to distinguish themselves from others who follow innovation. There is no
doubt that the name Muslim is a good name, but… Unfortunately the Muslims have
divided into various groups, so that one may be Sufi, another may be Shi‘i, and
another may be”rational”.
Indeed, there are some who claim to belong to Islam but they are
not Muslims, such as the Baha’is and Barelvis.
If a Muslim describes himself as belonging to Ahl al-Hadeeth,
that means that he is disassociating himself from these groups and declaring
that he belongs to Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah.
Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him)
said:
There is no shame in declaring oneself to be a follower of the
salaf, belonging to it and feeling proud of it; rather that must be accepted
from him, according to scholarly consensus. The madhhab of the salaf cannot be
anything but true. If a person adheres to it inwardly and outwardly, then he is
like the believer who is following truth inwardly and outwardly. If he adheres
to it outwardly only, and not inwardly, then he is like the hypocrite; he is to
be accepted as he appears to be, and what is hidden in his heart is left to
Allah (to judge), because we are not instructed to check on what is in people’s
hearts.
End quote from Majmoo‘
al-Fataawa, 1/149
Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) said:
Calling oneself Salafi, if it is true, is fine and there is
nothing wrong with it. But if it is a mere claim, then it is not permissible to
call oneself a Salafi when one is not following the way of the salaf.
End quote from al-Ajwabah
al-Mufeedah ‘ala As’ilah al-Manaahij al-Jadeedah, p. 13
It should be noted that calling themselves Ahl al-Hadeeth does
not mean that they do not follow the Qur’an. Perhaps this is the reason why you
are confused. Rather Ahl al-Hadeeth are those who follow both the Qur’an and
hadeeth; they are the ones who adhere to the guidance of the Prophet (blessings
and peace of Allah be upon him) and they are the ones who follow the Companions
of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) sincerely. Allah, may
He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
“And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajiroon (those who
migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al-Madinah
who helped and gave aid to the Muhajiroon) and also those who followed them
exactly (in Faith). Allah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased
with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise),
to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success”
[at-Tawbah 9:100].
Thirdly:
Allah has bestowed upon you another great blessing after guiding
you to Islam, which is that you live among Ahl al-Hadeeth, Ahl as-Sunnah
wa’l-Jamaa‘ah. So strive to stay close to them, follow their example and adhere
to their way.
See the answer to question no. 159436 for
a brief discussion on Jamaa‘at Ahl al-Hadeeth in India, so that you will be
more keen to stay close to them.
See the answer to question no. 12761 for
further discussion on the terminology “Ahl al-Hadeeth” among the righteous
predecessors (as-salaf as-saalih).
And Allah knows best.
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