The Reality of Calling Oneself Ahl al-Ḥadīth and the Issue of Sectarianism
Reference: Fatāwā Rashidiyyah, Page 546
❖ The Question
Please explain the reality of calling oneself Ahl al-Ḥadīth.
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd!
The true path of Islam is to follow the Qur’an and Ḥadīth. The Qur’an strictly forbids sectarianism.
Allah ﷻ commands:
﴿وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّـهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا﴾ (Āl ʿImrān: 103)
“Hold fast all together to the rope of Allah and do not be divided.”
✔ Condemnation of Sectarianism
The labels created today such as:
◈ Ḥanafī
◈ Shāfiʿī
◈ Mālikī
◈ Ḥanbalī
◈ Deobandī
◈ Barelwī
— are in reality opposed to Allah and His Messenger ﷺ. Allah has not permitted sectarianism; it is an innovation (bidʿah sayyiʾah) and never praiseworthy.
Allah has given us the name “Muslims.”
However, when distinction from misguided groups is necessary, it is acceptable to say: We are Ahl al-Ḥadīth, i.e., people who follow the Qur’an and authentic Ḥadīth.
✔ The Word “Ḥadīth” in the Qur’an
The Qur’an itself uses the word ḥadīth:
◈ ﴿فَبِأَىِّ حَدِيثٍۭ بَعْدَهُۥ يُؤْمِنُونَ﴾ (al-Aʿrāf: 185)
◈ ﴿فَلْيَأْتُوا۟ بِحَدِيثٍ مِّثْلِهِۦٓ إِن كَانُوا۟ صَـٰدِقِينَ﴾ (al-Ṭūr: 34)
Likewise, the Qur’an refers to the Prophet’s ﷺ own speech as ḥadīth:
◈ ﴿وَإِذْ أَسَرَّ ٱلنَّبِىُّ إِلَىٰ بَعْضِ أَزْوَٰجِهِۦ حَدِيثًا﴾ (al-Taḥrīm: 3)
Hence, the term Ahl al-Ḥadīth means “those who adhere to the Qur’an and authentic Ḥadīth.”
✔ The Purpose of the Term
This label is used only for identification, not to form a sect. Our real name is Muslim.
If a non-Muslim sincerely wishes to know who is upon the truth, the simple path is to study the Qur’an and authentic Ḥadīth in translation. Today, such translations exist in Sindhi, Urdu, English, and many other languages.
A seeker of truth, reading with an open mind and no prejudice, will discover for himself whether:
◈ The truth lies with Qur’an and Ḥadīth,
◈ Or with Ḥanafī, Mālikī, Shāfiʿī, Ḥanbalī,
◈ Or with sects like Deobandī or Barelwī.
✔ Guarantee of Guidance in Qur’an
Allah ﷻ promises:
﴿وَٱلَّذِينَ جَـٰهَدُوا۟ فِينَا لَنَهْدِيَنَّهُمْ سُبُلَنَا ۚ وَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَمَعَ ٱلْمُحْسِنِينَ﴾ (al-ʿAnkabūt: 69)
“And those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide them to Our paths. Indeed, Allah is with the doers of good.”
✿ Conclusion
- The one seeking truth has no need to follow any sect.
- Instead, he should turn directly to Qur’an and Ḥadīth and measure all sects against them.
- By Allah’s promise, sincerity in seeking will lead to clear guidance.
ھذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
