Vying for the “Sunnī-Monopoly” amongst the Muslims

Allah states:

“Have you seen those whom take their Desires as their God? Are you then their Enabler?”

(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.25, V.43)

I’ve always had Religio-Personal Misgivings, as per referring to myself as a “Sunnī-Muslim”, “Orthodox-Sunnī Muslim”, etc. The Concept/Term always thought/felt Weird to me. Even prior to learning the Religio-Historical Usūl/Origins of the Concept: I was never sold on the Idea of labeling myself “Sunnī”. This very much ended-up very hypocritical, on my Part, as I was formerly Salafī for 7-Years (1421-1428, A.H./2000-2007, C.E.): ironically “Salafī” & “Sunnī” conceptually are Linguistically-Synonymous of each other…Bozo was I. lol

The Hujjah/Indictment against the Salafī-Mafia

So, what’s/who’s a “Sunnī” anyway?!!!

Literally, for the past 12-Centuries, C.E. Certains-Muslims have attempted to compete for the Claim of being the so-called “Ahl-us-Sunnah/Persons of the Tradition”: the Religio-Spiritual Inheritors of as-Salaf (as-Sahābah/the Companions & Generations-1&2 of at-Tābi`īn/the Followers). In fact, the Usūl/Origins of the Concept/Term “Sunnī” are directly rooted in the Concept of following the Salaf. As is coined initially & attributed to Muhammad al-Barbahārī, the Term “Sunnī” was originally defined as “The Sunnī is they whose Fahm/Understanding of al-Islām matches our Salaf-Sālih/Righteous-Ancestors.”.

There’s 6-Surviving Madhāhib/Legal-Schools amongst Muslim Non-Shī`īs:

(In Order of Demographic-Popularity)

al-Hanafiyyah/Hanafism
(Progenitor/Founder: an-Nu`mān ibn-Thābit)

al-Mālikiyyah/Mālikism
(Progenitor/Founder: Mālik ibn-Anas)

ash-Shāfi`iyyah/Shāfi`ism
(Muhammad ibn-Idrīs ash-Shāfi`ī)

al-Hanbaliyyah/Hanbalism
(Progenitor/Founder/Ahmad ibn-Hanbal)

al-Ibādhiyyah/Ibādhism
(Progenitor/Founder: `Abdullah ibn-Ibādh)

azh-Zhāhiriyyah/Zhāhirism
(Progenitor/Founder: Dāwud azh-Zhāhirī)

There’s 2-Surviving Madhāhib amongst Muslim-Shī`īs:

al-Ja`fariyyah/Ja`farism
(Progenitor/Founder: Ja`far ibn-Muhammad)

az-Zaydiyyah/Zaydism
(Zayd ibn-`Alī)

None of the Progenitors/Founders of the Aforementioned-Madhāhib were Shī`īs, Ash`arīs, Sūfīs, Salafīs, etc..

However, now since then & especially via the Modern-World, the Term “Sunnī” is exclusively used as a Religio-Political Euphemism for any/all Muslims whom’re Non-Shī`īs. There’s Lots of Religio-Historical Asbāb/Reasons for this being the Case:

The Perfect-Solution to the whole “Ahl-ul-Bayt” Issue:

al-Husayn & the Massacre of Karbalā’:

Muslim-Politics & Muslims whom manipulate it for their own Ambitions

As per usual, the Siblings of the Pen: Gareth Bryant & Tālib Nathaniel…we had one of our Countless/Timeless Respectful-Discussions concerning such a Subject/Topic. Our Discussion hails from the WhatsApp-Group the two of us are Members of. The Dicussion actually began as the Direct-Result of Hasan `Abdī of Germantown-Masjid making Anti-Iran Statements, regarding their Aerial-Attack against Israel (the Result of the Israeli-Onslaught/Carnage via Palestine beginning on Oct. 7th, 2023, C.E.).

How the “Sunnī” vs. “Shī`ī” Discussion began

Thereafter, via our WhatsApp-Group, we vehemently discussed the Status and/or lack thereof of both Salafīs & Shī`īs…I personally caution All-Muslims to steer clear of any such Unjust/Takfīr, Takfīr-Culture, etc. And, it’s very obvious, judging both the Salafīs & the Shī`īs…that’s the Qiblah/Direction where the Convo was headed towards. Allah empowered me to stop it even before it intensely got there…as Allah states:

“And never let your hatred, against any People, prevent you from behaving justly.”

(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.8)

Even one of the Top-Scholars whom Salafīs globally respect: Muhammad ibn-Sālih al-`Uthaymīn…they themselves publicly stated that the Salafīs are a Hizb/Religio-Sect (due to their Negative&Toxic-Character/Behavior).

Just because I refuse to make Unjust-Takfīr against Fellow-Muslims, that in 0-Way means that I won’t “Call a Spade a Spade” (as the Ole-Saying goes). You either judge everyone or no one…you either give everyone or no one a Pass.

It’s here that the Semi-Opposing Convo between Gareth Bryant & Tālib Nathaniel begins. Our Main-Posture of Difference with one another was over the Validity of the Term “Sunnī” itself. And, then, more specifically: we were discussing how Salafīs holistically don’t/refuse to refer to themselves as “Sunnīs”.

My Lifetime-Posture concerning the Usage of Labels, Atrributive-Terms, etc. as a Muslim

In my Lifetime, as a Muslim, especially after I abandoned Salafism: Countless-Muslims have constantly/consistently attempted to Pigeonhole me into Religio-Sectarian Categories and/or attempted to impose Religio-Sectarian Expectations. Of course, these’re Things I refused/resisted. It triggered & still triggers Certain-Muslims, if/when you don’t grant them the Lane to Religio-Classify you. I specifically remember vividly…I was asked concerning my Refusal to claim any Hizb/Religio-Gang…I was questioned: “How do we judge you then? I replied: “You don’t…you don’t get to judge me.”.

Amongst the Countless-Issues/Problems plaguing the Muslim-World, yet us as Muslims have the Audacity/Arrogance to still Bitch&Moan about who’s on This-Or-That…interrogating rach other concerning what one’s “`Aqīdah/Creed” is…pressing someone as per what “Madhab/Legal-School” they adhere to…harassing Others regarding what their “Minhāj/Ideology” is…etc. Not only is it pathetically unprincipled, but equally it’s invasively disrespectful. Here’s the Irony: literally nothing gets better, if/when Muslims continuously impose Pseudo-Piety/Fake-Righteousness & impose Pseudo Religio-Monopolies.

Gareth Bryant