The Authority Of Sunnah

**When is a person considered to
be upon the Sunnah?**

Sahl bin `Abdullaah al-Tustaree ﺭﺣﻤﻪ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ was
asked:

How can a person know that he is
following (Ahl) al-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah?

He said:

“ When he finds for himself ten
characteristics:

1. That he does not abandon the
Jamaa`ah.

2. And that he does not reviles
Companions of the Prophet ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ
ﻭﺳﻠﻢ.

3. And that he does not revolt with (i.e.
raises) the sword against this Ummah.

4. And that he does not belie (deny) the
Qadr.

5. And does not doubt in (the articles of)
Imaan.

6. And that he does not argue in (regards
to the matter of) the Deen.

7. And that he does not abandon offering
the Salaah (al-Janaazah) for anyone who
died from the People of the Qiblah (i.e. the
Muslims) due to a sin (which the deceased
might have committed).

8. And that he does not abandon wiping
over the Khuffs (shoes/socks).

9. And that he does not abandon the
(Salaah in) congregation behind a pious or
a sinner.”

[Sharh Usool I`teqaad (1/205/324) of
Laalikaaee. This is how only 9 points are
mentioned]