Clarifying and declaring the truth about Islam

2-5-2001 | IslamWeb

Question:

May Allah bless you and reward you for teaching and spreading authentic Islamic knowledge and Fatwas to millions of Muslims who are eager and "Hungry" to sincerely learn about authentic Islam!In reference to question: 10077, Fatwa 88789, I think you misunderstood my question: My question is: Why not hold this international convention and conference by scholars and thinkers of Ahl al Sunnah Wal' Jamaa'a to declare to the whole world that Ahl al Sunnah Wal' Jamm'a represents authentic Islam and are real Muslims, and the other 72 deviated and innovating sects such as Khawarij, Rawaafidh/Shia, Jahamiya, Tooruqi/Suffis, Qadyaniya/Ahmadiya, Al Murjji'a, Habashis, Akshabandis al Baatiniya, etc. Do not represent the authentic Islam, neither are they true Muslim? I believe this is the authentic truth that no one can deny or avoid, which should be said, spread worldwide, and not kept hidden!

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.
What the dear brother has suggested is impracticable for many reasons. For instance sometimes the scholars of Ahl-al-Sunnah themselves differ in some matters, which depend on Ijtihad. This difference of opinion does not have any affect on their way of following Qur'an and Sunnah or Aqeeda.
As you know, acceptable difference of opinion is permissible in Shariah such as the different opinion held by the Sahabah. There is Deep Wisdom of Allah in their various viewpoints.
But the Ahl-al-Sunnah have consensus upon the fundamentals of Aqeeda and about those matters where opinions are not accepted by Allah. The truth is evident for the one who wants to know it. All Muslims are obliged to follow the way of the Prophet and his companions. They should call others to that way with good manners without forming a party or being partial to any specific group, also they should not bind the truth to a given group.
Ahl-al-Sunnah are not limited to a place or a country; everyone who follows the way of the Prophet and his companions in belief and deeds is from Ahl-al-Sunnah regardless of the place where he lives or when he lived.
There are some groups which claim to be Islamic and have nothing to do with Islam such as the Batiniya (secret and mystic sects) Kadiyania and Ahbash.
There are also some Muslim groups, which perform many innovative acts such as Khawarij, Murjia and Sufism. The Muslim scholars have written many books, given many lectures and issued many Fatwas warning against such groups. So, the rule concerning them depends on the extent of their innovative acts. Some groups are disbelievers, hence not Muslims. Others are Muslims but innovators. So, it is the responsibility of all Muslim scholars to warn people against these devious groups. But if what our brother suggested could be achieved, this would be a great achievement. But there are many constraints to it. So, we should do our best to warn people against these devious groups and teach them the true religion.
Allah knows best.