First: The Concept of the "Saved Sect" (Al-Firqatun-Najiyah)

The term "Al-Firqatun-Najiyah" (or the "Aided Group," At-Ta'ifatul-Mansurah) is derived from prophetic narrations (ahadith) that indicate the existence of a group of Muslims who will remain upon the truth, aided and undefeated by those who oppose them until the Hour is established. Among the most famous of these narrations are:

• The Hadith on the Division of the Ummah: "The Jews split into seventy-one sects, the Christians split into seventy-two sects, and my Ummah will split into seventy-three sects; all of them are in the Fire except one." It was asked, "Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "Those who are upon what I and my companions are upon."

• The Hadith of the Aided Group: "A group from my Ummah will continue to be manifest upon the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them or fail to support them, until the Command of Allah arrives (i.e., the Hour) while they are in that state."

Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah (the People of the Sunnah and the Community) believe that they are the Saved Sect and the Aided Group, based on their correct understanding of the Quran and the Sunnah according to the methodology of the righteous predecessors (As-Salaf us-Salih - the Companions and those who followed them in righteousness).

Second: The Stance of Sheikh Abu Ishaq Al-Huweini

Sheikh Abu Ishaq Al-Huweini - may Allah preserve him - is one of the contemporary scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah, and he is recognized for his knowledge and defense of the Sunnah. His stance on the concept of the "Saved Sect" can be summarized in the following points, based on his statements in his lessons and lectures:

1. Affirmation of the Concept's Validity: The Sheikh affirms the authenticity of the narrations concerning the division of the Ummah and believes in them. He holds that the Saved Sect is "Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" who follow the methodology of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions.

2. Warning Against Misapplication: This is the core of the Sheikh's stance and the premise from which he speaks. He warns against using this concept in an exclusive and narrow manner that leads to:

   • Division and Partisanship (Hizbiyyah): Where every group or faction emerges claiming that it alone is the "Saved Sect," declaring others who disagree with it on minor or interpretative matters to be disbelievers or innovators. This leads to the tearing apart of Muslim unity.

   • Arrogance and Haughtiness: Where members of a group view themselves as solely upon the truth and everyone else upon sheer falsehood, which kills the spirit of self-criticism and humility towards knowledge.

   • Contradiction of the Salaf's Methodology: The Sheikh mentions that the early predecessors (Salaf), such as Imam Ahmad, Imam Ash-Shafi'i, and others, warned against this narrow approach. They affirmed the concept of the Saved Sect but without restricting it to specific individuals or a particular group by name; rather, it applies to whoever adheres to the methodology of truth.

3. A Broader Understanding of Salvation: The Sheikh clarifies that the hadith does not mean that everyone who does not belong to a specific (partisan) group is among the people of the Hellfire. Rather, the intended meaning is that the deviant sects are those who innovated in the religion and departed from its known fundamentals. As for those who remained upon the foundation of Islam and Tawheed (monotheism) and did not fall into major, disbelief-inducing innovations, they are part of the general Ummah, even if they made mistakes in some interpretative matters or fell into non-disbelief-inducing innovations.

4. The Criterion for Salvation is Following, Not Mere Affiliation: The Sheikh reiterates that the criterion for a person or group being from the "Saved Sect" is the extent of their adherence to the methodology of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions in belief, understanding, and practice, not merely their affiliation to a specific name or group.

Summary of the Stance:

Sheikh Al-Huweini's position is not a denial of the concept of the "Saved Sect" itself. Rather, it is a clarification of the correct concept and a warning against the deviation in its application, transforming it from a comprehensive concept for Ahlus-Sunnah into an exclusive one that divides Muslims and causes partisanship and fragmentation.

His advice - as is the advice of many scholars - is:

• To believe in the existence of the Saved Sect and that it is Ahlus-Sunnah.

• To avoid monopolizing this title for a narrow faction.

• To focus on following evidence and acting upon it, rather than being preoccupied with passing judgments on others.

• To strive to unite the Muslims upon the truth and prevent their division.

Therefore, Sheikh Abu Ishaq Al-Huweini's statements come in the context of correction and alerting to a common error in understanding this term, not a complete denial of it.

• And Allah knows best.

Be mindful of which faction you belong to.