মাসিক আত-তাহরীক The Outward signs of Ahle hadeeth
(شِعَارُ أَهْلِ الْحَدِيْثِ)
Imam Abdur Rahman Sabooni (372-449 A.H.), in narrating the outward signs of the Ahle hadeeth, says (1) They abstain from all kinds of intoxicating drugs it may be more or less (2) They remain ever careful to say every Farz salat in the first hour of the appointed time (3) They consider it compulsory (Wajib) to read Sura Fatiha behind the Imam (4) They consider most essential to perform all the Rukans i.e. pillars of salat like Ruku (bending from standing) Sujood (keeping forehead with nose on the ground), Qiam (standing), Qu‘ood (sitting) etc. slowly and peacefully in Salat and without which, they consider Salat will not be correctly said (5) They become strongest followers of the Prophet (sm), Sahabis and Salaf-i-Saleheen, in every sphere of life (6) They hate the innovators (Bid‘atis). They do not associate with innovators and do not have to make unnecessary altercations with them on religious matters. They always keep their ears shut from them, so that their useless arguments may not create any misgiving in their minds. [1]
We say, the greatest sign of Ahle hadeeth is that, they are uncompromising followers of Tawheed against the Shirk in respect of Aqeedah (faith) and they are uncompromising followers of Sunnah against Bid‘at in the field of practice. This is to mention that, to become a Ahle hadeeth, it is not a condition to be the progeny of a Ahle hadeeth father, similarly there is no distinction of blood, race, language or region in this regard. Rather anyMuslim whofollows unconditionally the decisions of the holy Quran and saheeh Hadeeth and trys to lead his entire life on it, will be regarded as Ahle hadeeth. Undoubtedly the real dentity of Ahle hadeeth lies in one's unadulterated faith and practice, not in his acquaintance of father as well as his education & knowledge, money & resources or his social status.
