The 35 Beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah

Imam Abu Muhammad Abdul Rahman bin Hatim al-Razi, may Allah have mercy on him (died 327 AH), said that he asked his father (Abu Hatim al-Razi) and Abu Zur'ah (al-Razi), may Allah have mercy on them, about the foundational beliefs of Ahl al-Sunnah in religion. He inquired about the creed they found scholars adhering to across all cities and what their own beliefs were. They replied that they found scholars in the cities of Hijaz, Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Yemen adhering to the following beliefs:

1. Faith (Iman) consists of declarations and actions, and it increases and decreases.
2. The Quran is the Word of Allah in every aspect, and it is not created.
3. Both good and bad destiny are decreed by Allah.
4. The best among the Ummah after Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, followed by Umar bin Al-Khattab, then Uthman bin Affan, and then Ali ibn Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with them all, who are the rightly guided Caliphs.
5. The ten companions who were given the glad tidings of Paradise by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) are considered inhabitants of Paradise, and the word of the Prophet (PBUH) is the truth.
6. Mercy should be sought for all the companions of Muhammad (PBUH), and silence should be maintained about the disputes among them.
7. Allah Almighty is established on His Throne (without asking how) and is separate from His creation (in essence) as He has stated in His Book (the Holy Quran) and as articulated by His Messenger (PBUH), encompassing everything with His Knowledge, with nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, All-Seeing.
8. Allah Almighty will be seen in the Hereafter; the people of Paradise will behold Him with their own eyes, whenever and however He wills.
9. Paradise and Hell are true, and both are creations that will never perish; there is reward in Paradise for Allah’s friends and punishment in Hell for His disobedients, except for those whom He (Allah) shows mercy.
10. The Bridge (Sirat) over Hell is true.
11. The Scale (Mizan) has two pans, which will be used to weigh the good and bad deeds of the people.
12. The Pond of Kauthar belonging to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his intercession are true.
13. It is true that some people from among the believers (Muslims) will be saved from the fire of Hell through the intercession of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
14. The punishment of the grave is true.
15. Munkar and Nakir (the angels who question in the grave) are true.
16. The noble recorders (angels who record deeds) are true.
17. Resurrection after death is true.
18. The matter of those who commit major sins is subject to the will of Allah (whether He chooses to punish or forgive); we do not declare disbelief (takfir) over the sins of the people of Qibla (Muslims), and we leave their matter to Allah.
19. In every era and region, we are committed to performing Jihad and Hajj under the leadership of Muslim rulers.
20. We do not support rebellion against Muslim rulers, nor do we support fighting among each other during times of fitna (strife).
21. Whoever Allah appoints as our ruler, we listen to and obey him, and do not withdraw our hand from obedience.
22. We, Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, follow the consensus of the community and avoid anomalies, differences, and sectarianism.
23. Ever since Allah Almighty sent His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) as a messenger, Jihad against the disbelievers will continue alongside Muslim rulers, and nothing will invalidate it (meaning Jihad will always continue).
24. The same applies to the obligation of Hajj.
25. Charities (zakat, 'ushr) on animals and other possessions will be collected by Muslim rulers.
26. People are believers in their commands and inheritance, and their status before Allah is unknown; whoever claims certainty of his own faith is indeed innovating, and whoever claims he is a believer even before Allah is among the liars; whoever says 'I am a believer with Allah' is correct and appropriate.
27. The Murji'ah (those who delay judgement on people's faith) are innovators and misguided.
28. The Qadariyyah (those who deny divine predestination) are innovators and misguided, and whoever claims that Allah does not know something before it happens is a disbeliever.
29. The Jahmiyyah are disbelievers.
30. The Shia have left Islam.
31. The Kharijites have exited from the religion (Islam).
32. Whoever says that the Quran is created is a disbeliever, and outside the fold of Islam. Moreover, whoever, despite understanding and evidence, doubts the disbelief of such a person is also a disbeliever.
33. Whoever hesitates and says, 'I do not know whether the Quran is created or uncreated' while questioning Allah's words, is from the Jahmiyyah sect.
34. If an ignorant person hesitates about the Quran, he will be taught.
35. Whoever says that the Quran in my words (the words with which I recite the Quran) or the Quran with my words is created is considered misguided (Jahmi).

These principles represent a comprehensive framework of belief that aligns with the teachings of Islam as interpreted by scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.

Signs of Deviant Sects According to Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi​

Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi, a respected figure in the tradition of Hadith and a pivotal personality in the history of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah, discussed the characteristics of deviant groups in relation to their attitudes towards Ahl al-Hadith (People of Hadith). He articulated the following signs that distinguish these groups:

1. Ahl al-Bid'ah (People of Innovation): They are known for attacking the Ahl al-Hadith. This attack stems from their intent to deviate from the accepted narrations and principles upheld by orthodox scholars.
2. Zanadiqah (Heretics): They label Ahl al-Hadith as "Hashwiyya" (superficial or literalists), aiming to undermine the credibility of Hadith by rejecting or misinterpreting their apparent meanings.
3. Jahmiyyah: This group accuses the Ahl al-Sunnah of being "Mushabbiha" (anthropomorphists), misrepresenting the orthodox understanding of God’s attributes by claiming that Ahl al-Sunnah ascribe human characteristics to Allah.
4. Qadariyyah: They call Ahl al-Sunnah "Mujbirah" (fatalists), accusing them of denying free will by overstating the concept of divine decree.
5. Murji'ah: They describe Ahl al-Sunnah as "Mukhalifah" or "Naqsaniyyah" (opponents or deficient), likely criticizing their approach to faith and actions being integral to one’s religious status.
6. Rafidah (Shi'ites): They refer to Ahl al-Sunnah as "Nasibah" (enemies of Ali), a grave accusation that stems from historical and theological disputes regarding the companions of the Prophet Muhammad, especially Ali.

Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi emphasized that such derogatory names used by these groups are rooted in prejudice and disobedience, and are aimed at sowing division within the Muslim community. He firmly believed that Ahl al-Sunnah should have only one designation, and that it is inappropriate for them to be identified by multiple fabricated labels.

Both Abu Hatim and Abu Zur'ah distanced themselves from the misguided and innovators, vehemently rejecting incorrect opinions. They strongly opposed writing books based purely on opinion without the foundation of Hadith and advised against engaging with or reading the works of the "Ahl al-Kalam" (people involved in speculative theology), who often deviated from the straightforward teachings of Islam. They warned that those engaged in speculative theology would not achieve true success unless they repented before their death.

This content is derived from Imam Abu Muhammad Abdul Rahman Abu Hatim al-Razi's book, Asl al-Sunnah wa I'tiqad al-Din. Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi is recognized as a significant Hadith scholar, trusted and revered across various Sunni groups throughout the ages, passing away in 327 AH. His works and teachings continue to be a cornerstone for those who follow the path of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.