The Legitimacy of the Name “Ahl al-Ḥadīth” – Evidences from Qur’ān, Sunnah, and the Salaf

Question:

Is the name “Ahl al-Hadith” correct? Why do we call ourselves Ahl al-Hadith? Why do we not suffice with being called only “Muslimeen” (Muslims)? Did any Sahabi call himself “Ahl al-Hadith”? Clarify all these points with evidence. This question is from Jamaat al-Muslimeen (Masoodiya sect), who present the hadith of Bukhari: “Hold firmly to the Jamaat of Muslims and its Imam.”

Answer:

الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!

1. “Muslimeen” and Its Other Legitimate Titles

• “Muslimeen” is the plural of “Muslim”, which means: obedient, submissive, and one who acts upon the religion.
• There are many other titles for Muslims mentioned in the Quran and Hadith such as:

  Muhajireen

• Ansar
• Sahabah
• Tabi‘een

«فادعوا بدعوی الله الذی سما کم المسلمین المؤمنین عباد الله»

So call upon [them] with the name of Allah; that He may keep firm those who believe in the Hereafter.

The chain of this hadith is authentic, and Yahya ibn Abi Kathir has specified it as Sama‘.

«فادعوا المسلمین باسمائهم بما سما هم الله عزوجل المسلمین المؤمنین عباد الله عزوجل»

Call the Muslims by their names: Muslims, believers (and) servants of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, which Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, has named them.

Authenticity: Hasan Lidhatah

This proves that Allah Almighty has given descriptive names such as Muslims, believers, servants of Allah, all of which are correct and valid.
Therefore, saying that our name is only “Muslim” and no other name is possible is a false and incorrect claim.

2. Titles of Ahl al-Sunnah and Ahl al-Hadith and their endorsement

In the introduction of Sahih Muslim, there is a statement of Tabi’i Muhammad bin Sirin, may Allah have mercy on him:

“فینظر الی اهل السنة فیؤخذ حدیثهم”

So people used to look towards Ahl al-Sunnah and accept their hadith.

This statement is recorded in the introduction with the approval of Imam Muslim, and thousands of scholars have never objected to it.
Therefore, there is Ijma’ (consensus) that the name “Ahl al-Sunnah” is correct.

The Mansurah Sect and Ahl al-Hadith

• According to an authentic hadith, the victorious group will always prevail.
• Imam Bukhari explained this as: ’’یعنی اھل الحدیث‘‘
  Reference: (Masalah al-Ihtijaj bil-Shafi’i, Al-Khatib, p.47, authentic chain)
• Imam Ali ibn al-Madini also said: ’’هم اهل الحدیث‘‘
  Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters of Tribulations, Chapter on what has been narrated about the praying Imams, Hadith 2229)

Other Statements of the Imams

• Imam Qutaibah ibn Sa’id:

  ’’اذا رایت الرجل یحب اهل الحدیث ……… فانه علی السنة‘‘

  If you see a person who loves the people of hadith, then (understand that) this person is following the Sunnah.

  Reference: (Sharaf Ashaab al-Hadith, Al-Khatib, p.134, Hadith 143, authentic chain)
• Ahad ibn Sinan al-Wasiti:

  ’’لیس فی الدنیا مبتدع الا وهو یبغض اهل الحدیث‘‘

  There is no innovator in the world who does not harbor enmity towards the people of hadith.

  Reference: (Ma’rifat ‘Uloom al-Hadith, Al-Hakim, p.4)
• Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal:

  ’’ان لم تکن هذه الطائفة المنصورة اصحاب الحدیث فلا ادری من هم‘‘

  If this victorious group does not mean the people of hadith, then I do not know who else they could be.

  Reference: (Ma’rifat ‘Uloom al-Hadith, Al-Hakim, p.2)
• Hiss ibn Ghiyath:

  ’’هم خیر اهل الدنیا‘‘

  They are the best people in the world.

  Reference: (Ma’rifat ‘Uloom al-Hadith, p.3)
• Imam Shafi’i:

  ’’اذا رأیت رجلا من اصحاب الحدیث فکاني رأیت النبی صلی الله علیه وسلم حیاً‘‘

  When I see any person from the people of hadith, it is as if I see the Prophet, peace be upon him, alive.

  Reference: (Sharaf Ashaab al-Hadith, Al-Khatib, p.94, Hadith 85)
• Imam Ibn Qutaibah Dinawari wrote a book:
  ’’تاویل مختلف الحدیث فی الرد علی أعداء أهل الحدیث‘‘

In this book, he has strongly refuted the enemies of the “Ahl al-Hadith.” All these statements are undeniably and unquestionably published, widespread, and well-known among the Muhaddithin.

From all these statements of the Imams of the Muslims, it is proven that the name “Ahl al-Hadith” is legitimate, correct, and authentic. There is Ijma’ (consensus) on this.

3. The Proof of Ijma’ (Consensus)

قل رسول الله صلی الله علیه وسلم: «لا یجمع الله امتی اوقال: هذا الامة علی الضلالة ابداً وید الله علی الجماعة»

Allah will never gather my Ummah – or He said this Ummah – upon misguidance, and the hand of Allah is upon the Jama’ah (consensus).

The Ummah cannot be united upon misguidance.

4. Definition of Ahl al-Hadith

Two possible meanings of Ahl al-Hadith:

1. The Muhaddithin who are of correct creed
2. The common people who act upon the methodology of the Muhaddithin with evidence

5. The Group of Muhaddithin and Their Identification

The Sahabah and Tabi’in were also Muhaddithin, because they narrated Hadith.
Some say that no Muhaddith will be born now; this is an unfounded and false claim.

“جو بھی فن حدیث سے شغف رکھتا ہے، وہ محدثین میں شمار ہوتا ہے۔”

6. The Meaning of the Hadith about “Jama’at al-Muslimeen”

«تلزم جماعة المسلمین و امامهم»

Hold firmly to the Jama’at al-Muslimeen and its Imam.

Commentators’ Explanation:

• Ibn Hajar: It is mentioned what a Muslim should do in times of disagreement
  Reference: (Fath al-Bari, 13/35)
• Ayni Hanafi: What to do if there is no Caliphate
  Reference: (Umdat al-Qari, Vol. 24, p. 193)
• Qastalani: Jamaat means to unite under one Caliph
  Reference: (Irshad al-Sari, Vol. 10, p. 183)
• Qurtubi: Obedience to an unjust Imam is also obligatory
  Reference: (Al-Mufhim, Vol. 4, p. 57)

Conclusion: “Jamaat al-Muslimeen” and “Imam” mean Caliph. This does not mean a paper Emir or just a group.

7. Conditions of the Caliphate and Its Establishment

• Ibn Kathir
  Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir, 204/1)

  , Abu Ya’la, and Al-Mawardi said:

  The Caliph’s duties: making decisions, preventing oppression, enforcing hudud, jihad, etc.

Mulla Ali Qari: The Imam should be one who enforces rulings and prepares the army

8. The Misguidance of Paper Caliphs and False Sects

Just having the title does not make one an Amir or Caliph.
The Caliphate is only established when Muslims have Ijma (consensus) and the Caliph has power, enforcement, and order.

9. Warning Against Not Pledging Allegiance to the Imam

«من مات ولیس له إمام مات میتة جاهلیة»

Imam Ahmad’s explanation:

“امام وہ ہے جس پر تمام مسلمان متفق ہوں”

10. Hatred of the Name Ahl al-Hadith: An Unfounded Objection

Some individuals consider the name “Ahl al-Hadith” to be sectarian, whereas there are proofs from the sayings of the Imams and the Salaf regarding it. This name is not only permissible but also commendable and praised.

Summary:

• Being called Ahl al-Hadith is completely permissible, correct, and a source of pride in the light of Sunnah, Ijma, and the Imams.
• Along with the name “Muslim,” other descriptive titles are also established from the Quran and Hadith.
• “Ahl al-Hadith” is the same group as Taifah Mansurah, which follows the methodology of Hadith, Sunnah, and the Companions and Successors.