بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Imam Al-Awzaa’ee, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Adhere to the path (footsteps) of those who came before you (i.e. the pious predecessors), even if people reject you. Be cautious of the opinions of men, no matter how they may embellish them with persuasive statement, for the truth will eventually become clear, and you will remain on the right path”. [(1)]

Imam Umar Ibn Abdul Aziz, may Allah have mercy on him, stated:

“Allah’s Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and the leaders who succeeded him (Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali) established matters based on the pure revelation; adhering to them is an affirmation of Allah’s Book (the Qur’an), complete obedience to Allah, and strength in the religion ordained by Allah. No one has the authority to alter or change these practices, nor substitute them in opposition. Whoever follows these practices is rightly guided, and he who seeks assistance will be assisted (through them). Whoever opposes them and pursues a path other than that of the believers (the companions of the Prophet), Allah will leave him to what he has chosen and cast him into Hell, and what an evil destination”. [(2)]

Imam Ahmad, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Whoever becomes acquainted with the path of truth, it has been made easy for him to follow. And there is no proof for adhering to the path of Allah except through emulating the Messenger, peace be upon him, in his conduct, statements, and deeds.” [(3)]

Ibn Ataa, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Whoever commits himself to the etiquettes of the Sunnah, Allah will illuminate his heart with the light of knowledge, and there is no status more noble than following the beloved (Prophet) in His commands, actions, and manners.” [(4)]

Shaikh Al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Whoever abandons the evidence will stray from the path, and there is no evidence except that which has been brought forth by the Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him”. [(5)]

Al-Allamah Ahmad Bin Yahyah An-Najmi, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

Know that the truth is that what (has been revealed by) Allah and (given to) His Messenger, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him in the Book and the Sunnah, even if its adherents and those who embrace it are few. What is conveyed in the Islamic legislation is the truth one is commanded to follow, even if the majority of the people free themselves from it and those who follow it are few. Allah stated:

ثُمَّ جَعَلْنَاكَ عَلَىٰ شَرِيعَةٍ مِنَ الْأَمْرِ فَاتَّبِعْهَا وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَ الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ
إِنَّهُمْ لَنْ يُغْنُوا عَنْكَ مِنَ اللَّهِ شَيْئًا ۚ وَإِنَّ الظَّالِمِينَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ ۖ وَاللَّهُ وَلِيُّ الْمُتَّقِينَ

Then We have put you (O Muhammad) on a plain way of (Our) commandment [like the one which We commanded Our Messengers before you (i.e. legal ways and laws of the Islamic Monotheism)]. So follow you that (Islamic Monotheism and its laws), and follow not the desires of those who know not. Verily, they can avail you nothing against Allah (if He wants to punish you). Verily, the Zalimun (polytheists, wrong-doers, etc.) are Auliya’ (protectors, helpers, etc.) to one another, but Allah is the Wali (Helper, Protector, etc.) of the Muttaqun (pious). [Al-Jaathiya. 18-19]

Therefore, O slave of Allah! Be eager to follow the truth, follow the straight path and the path of early pious predecessors- the companions of the Messenger, and do not feel lonely due to the small numbers of those who follow it and the large numbers of those who oppose it, for indeed Ibrahim, peace be upon him, was an Imaam on his own and with Allah lies all success. [(6)]

[(1)] Siyar 7/120

[(2)] Ighatha Al-Lahfan 1/159

[(3)] Madarij As-Salikin 2/486

[(4)] Madarij As-Salikin 2/486

[(5)] Miftah Dar As-Sa’adah 1/85

[(6)] An Excerpt from Irshaad As-Saaree Fee Sharh Sunnah Lil-Barbahaaree page 47