, all of them in the Fire except one.” It was asked: “O Messenger of Allah, which one is it?” He replied: “Those who follow what I and my Companions follow today.” Another narration states: “It is the united community.” Yet another states: “Allah’s Hand is over the united community.” Thus he described the saved group as those who hold firmly to his Sunnah and as the united community.

When the scholars among the Companions, the Successors and those who came after them disputed a matter, they followed Allah’s command in His words:

“If you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and best in outcome.”

They would discuss a question in a spirit of consultation and sincere mutual counsel. Their views might differ on theoretical and practical matters while their affection, bonds and religious brotherhood remained intact. However, anyone who opposes the clear Book, the widely transmitted Sunnah, or the consensus of the community’s early generations, in a manner for which there is no excuse, is treated as the people of innovation are treated.

Thus ‘Ā’ishah, the Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, disagreed with Ibn ‘Abbās and other Companions over whether Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, saw his Lord. She said: “Whoever claims that Muhammad saw his Lord has uttered a tremendous lie against Allah Most High.” The majority of the community follows Ibn ‘Abbās’s view, yet they do not regard those who deny this and agree with the Mother of the Believers, may Allah be pleased with her, as innovators. Likewise, she denied that the dead hear the living calling to them when she was told that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, had said: “