The Greater Body of Muslims (al-Sawād al-Aʿẓam) Refers to Ahl al-Sunnah
Imām Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-ʿUthaymīn
A scholarly refutation of the notion that the majority view of Muslims is returned back to in times of differing.
[Q]: Some claim that if the majority of Muslims perform an action, that is an evidence for the correctness of that particular act, evidencing the ḥadīth, “Stick with the greater body of Muslims (al-Sawād al-Aʿẓam).”[1] What is your opinion concerning this?
[A]: This is an incorrect, faulty argument, for Allāh says:
فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ
“And if you disagree among yourselves over anything then refer it back”
to who?
إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ
“…to Allāh and the Messenger.”
(Al-Nisāʾ, 4:59)
He did not say refer it back to the majority. This is not a matter of parliamentary elections or the likes. Rather, this is a matter wherein evidence is the criterion used to determine the correctness of a statement or action, either from the Book of Allāh or the Sunnah of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Thus, it is obligatory for us to return and adhere to the directives present in the Book of Allāh and Sunnah of His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), even if there is only a single adopter of it amongst an entire community.
As for the saying, “Stick with the greater body”, if it is authentically established that Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said it, then it refers to the Muslims who are adherents to the truth. The term mentioned is “greater”, not “the majority.” Hence, what is intended is greatness of status, position and rank. Considering this, that which is greatest in status is only what lies in conformity to the Qurʾān and Sunnah. is is assuming the ḥadīth is authentic. However, I believe it to be a narration from Ibn Masʿūd (رضي الله عنه) or another companion.[2][3]
Endnotes:
[1] Weak: Collected by Ibn Mājah in his Sunan: 3950, Ibn Abī ʿĀṣim in al-Sunnah: 84 and others. Imām al-Albānī deemed it to be weak in al-Silsilah al-Ḍaʿīfah: 2896.
[2] Imām Aḥmad reports in his Musnad: 18450 with a sound chain of narration that Abū Umāmah al-Bāhilī said, “Stick with the greater body.” Someone asked, “What is the greater body?” Abū Umāmah replied, “This verse in sūrah al-Nūr:
فَإِن تَوَلَّوْا فَإِنَّمَا عَلَيْهِ مَا حُمِّلَ وَعَلَيْكُم مَّا حُمِّلْتُمْ
‘But if you turn away, he (i.e., the Prophet ﷺ) is only responsible for the duty placed on him and you for that placed on you.’”
(Al-Nūr, 24:54)
Al-Sindī explains in his Ḥāshiyyah, “The apparent meaning of what he intends is that, whoever obeys Allāh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم), then they are the greater body, regardless of whether they are many or few in number.”
Note: Ibn ʿĀsākir relates in Tārīkh Dimashq that Ibn Masʿūd said, “The jamāʿah is the individual who adheres to the truth, even if he is alone.” Al-Albānī deemed the chain of narration of this report to be authentic in his checking of al-Mishkāt 1: 61.
[3] Al-Tamassuk bī al-Sunnah al-Nabawiyyah wa-Āthāruh: 32.
Translated by: Omar ibn Bilāl
