Sharh as-Sunnah (Explanation of the Sunnah) · الباب 5

The Saved Sect (al-Firqah an-Nājiyah)

الترجمة الإنجليزية

Look — may Allah have mercy on you — at everyone you wish to take your religion from. Do not be hasty until you ask and look: 'How were the Companions of Muhammad ﷺ in this matter?' What you find in agreement with the Sunnah, take it — and what disagrees, leave it. The saved sect is the one upon what the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions were upon. They are described in the famous hadith: 'My Ummah will split into seventy-three sects — all of them in the Fire except one.' They asked: 'Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?' He said: 'What I and my Companions are upon today.' (Tirmidhi).