Kitab Syarah Aqidah Thahawiyah

The book of Syarah Aqidah Thahawiyah, among its contents, discusses the definition of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah

Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah are: Those who follow what the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his Companions, Radhiyallahu anhum, once did. They are called Ahlus Sunnah, because (they) strongly adhere to and adhere to (follow) the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his Companions, Radhiyallahu anhum. As-Sunnah according to language (etymology) is a path/way, whether the path is good or bad.[9]

Meanwhile, according to 'aqidah (terminology) scholars, As-Sunnah is the guidance that has been carried out by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his Companions, both regarding knowledge, i'tiqad (belief), words and deeds. And this is As-Sunnah which must be followed, people who follow it will be praised and people who violate it will be criticized.[10]

The definition of As-Sunnah according to Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (died 795 H): "As-Sunnah is the path taken, which includes adhering firmly to what was carried out by the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his guided and upright caliphs in the form of i 'tiqad (belief), words and deeds. That is the perfect As-Sunnah. Therefore, previous generations of Salaf did not call As-Sunnah except for anything that included these three aspects. This was narrated from Imam Hasan al-Bashri (died 110 AH), Imam al-Auza'i (died 157 AH) and Imam Fudhail bin 'Iyadh (died 187 AH)."[11]

It is called al-Jama'ah, because they are united in the truth, do not want to be divided in religious matters, gather under the leadership of Imams (who adhere to) al-haqq (truth), do not want to leave their congregation and following what has become the agreement of the Salaful Ummah.[12] Jama'ah according to 'aqidah (terminology) scholars is the first generation of this ummah, namely the Companions, Tabi'ut Tabi'in and people who follow goodness until the Day of Judgment, because they gather on the truth. [13]

Imam Abu Syammah asy-Syafi'i (died 665 H) said: "The command to adhere to the congregation means adhering to the truth and following it. Even though those who implement the Sunnah are few and those who violate it are many. Because truth is what was implemented by the first congregation, namely what the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his Companions implemented without looking at those who deviated (committed falsehood) after them."