The Importance of the Ahl Al-sunnah

The Ahl al-Sunnah are those Muslims who believe and live according to the Qur?an and the Sunnah. Only possessing the faith of the Ahl al-Sunnah enables one to gain the knowledge of faith that will lead one to eternal salvation and knowledge of Allah (swt). In order to abide by the Sunnah, it is necessary to recognize and follow our Prophet?s (saas) application of the Qur?an and that of his Companions, who act as a bridge between us and the Sunnah. Our Prophet (saas) has stated the status of and need for his Companions: ?My ummah will divide into seventy-three sects. And all of them will belong to Hell except for one (which will belong to Paradise).? The Companions asked him to identify the sect and he said, ?The one that will follow the path on which I walk and my Companions walk.? (al-Tirmidhi)