96: The religion lies in following the way of the Messenger and his Companions

May Allah have mercy upon you! Know that the scholars did not cease refuting the saying of the Jahmiyyah to the time of the Khilaafah of Banul-‘Abbaas, when the lowly and despicable spoke in matters affecting the people and attacked the sayings reported from the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and took to using analogy and opinion. They declared those who disagreed with them to be disbelievers, so that the ignorant, unwary and those without knowledge, entered into their saying. So they fell into unbelief without knowing. The Ummah was ruined in a number of ways, disbelieved in a number of ways, became heretical in a number of ways, went astray in a number of ways and innovated in a number of ways, except for those who remained firm upon the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), what he was upon and what his Companions were upon, not declaring any of them to be in error, nor overstepping what they were upon. He finds sufficiency in what they sufficed with, he does not turn away from their way and position, he knows that they were upon correct Islam and correct Faith; so he follows them in his religion and finds calmness and knows that the religion lies in following. Those who are meant to be followed are the Companions of Muhammad (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam).

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