The Messenger of Allaah (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: This Ummah will divide into 73 sects, all of them in the hellfire except One. He was asked, "Which one is that, O Messenger of Allaah?" He (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: That which I and my companions are upon. [Abu Dawud, Ibn Maajah, Ahmad, Ad-Daaramee]
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Student Abu Hasan Maalik relayed the following:
Hammaad Ibn Zayd (d.181H, rahimahullaah) mentioned that Ayoob as-Sakhtiyaanee (d.131H, rahimahullaah) said: "When I am informed of the death of a man from the people of the Sunnah, it is as if I have lost one of my limbs." Refer to Sharh Usoolul-I'tiqaad of al-Laalikaa`ee (1/66).
Student Aboo Soohailah 'Umar Quinn relayed the following:
'Abdullaah ibn al-Mubarak Maroodi (rahimahullaah) said: "
Know, ya akhee (my brother) that death is a gift from Allaah for whoever meets Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala upon the Sunnah of Muhammad (salallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam). And we complain to Allaah Subhanahu wa Ta'aala concerning the death of our brothers, and the fewness of those who support the religion, and the appearance of many innovations in the religion."
Mu'tamir Ibn Sulaymaan said: " I entered upon my father and I was sad. So he said to me, 'What is wrong with you?' I responded, 'A friend of mine passed away.' He said, 'Did he die upon the Sunnah?' I said 'Yes'. He said, 'Don't feel sorry for him."
Mu'aafah Ibn 'Imraan said: " Do not praise a man until death, as he will either die upon the Sunnah or die upon innovation."
Al-Fudayl Ibn Iyaadh said: " Tooba is for the one who dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah. If it is like this (i.e. a person dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah), then frequently say Maa Shaa Allaah."
'Awn said: "Whoever dies upon Islaam and the Sunnah, then for him are glad tidings of all that is good,"
Taken from Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahl Us Sunnah Wal Jamaa'h
Sent to me by akhuna Aboo Abdilaah Hasan as Somali, hafidhullaah.
{via Dawood Habashi on the [West London Dawah] mailing list}
