Introductory articles on the topic of Hadeeth, its meaning and science.

The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: There will not cease to a group from amongst my Ummah victorious upon the truth, not being harmed by those who oppose them until the command of Allaah comes about and they are like that. [Related by Muslim (6/52-53), and Abu Daawood (2/202).]

The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: When the people of Shaam become corrupt, then there will be no good in you. And there will not cease to be a group from my Ummah being helped. Those that oppose them will not harm them until the hour is established. [Related by
Imaam at-Tirmidthee (2/30) who said: The hadeeth is Hasan Saheeh. It was also related by Ibn Maajah (1/6-7). Ahmad (3/463).]

Ibnul Mubaarak said: According to me, they are Ashaabul Hadeeth. (The People of Hadeeth) [Sharaf Ashaabul Hadeeth of Al Khateeb Al Baghdaadee, (p. 26).]

Imaam al-Bukhaaree said: It means: Ashaabul Hadeeth. (The People of Hadeeth) [Sharaf Ashaabul Hadeeth of Al Khateeb Al Baghdaadee (p. 27)]

Imaam Ahmad said: If this Taa'ifatul Mansoorah (The Aided Group) is not Ashaabul Hadeeth, then I do not know who they are! [Related by Al Haakim in Ma'arifatul Uloomul Hadeeth (p. 3). al Haafidh Ibn Hajar authenticated it in Fathul Baaree (13/293)]

al Qaadee 'Iyyaad said: What Ahmad Intended was Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah, those who hold fast to the 'aqeedah of Ashaabul Hadeeth. [Sharh Saheeh Muslim of Imaam an-Nawawee (13/67)]

Shaykh 'Abdul Qaadir al-Jeelaanee said: As for al-Firqatun Naajiyah (The Saved Sect), it is Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah, and there is no name for Ahlus Sunnah except one, and that is Ashaabul Hadeeth. [Al Ghuniyatut Taalibeen (p. 212)]

Shaykh 'Abdul Muhsin 'Abbaad says: And that which Allaah has obligated us with, and not permitted other than it is that if a hadeeth is authenticated from the Messenger of Allaah (Sallallaahu 'Alayhi Wa Sallam), without defects or abrogation then it is obligatory on us and on the whole Ummah to take the hadeeth and abandon what opposes it. [Min Ateeb Fee Ilmil Mustalahah (p. 80)]