المعنى الاصطلاحي

Adhering to the truth and following it, remaining firm upon mainstream affairs, and not rebelling against the rulers.

الشرح المختصر

"Luzoom al-Jamā‘ah" (Adherence to mainstream Muslims) is adhering to the truth and following it, applying the Sunnah of the Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him, following his commands, avoiding his prohibitions, and holding fast to his guidance, even if those who contradict the truth exceed by far those who adhere to it, because the truth is what the early Muslim generation was upon. There are different views of scholars regarding the definition of "jamā‘ah": 1. They are the ones who have come together and agreed on a leader based upon Shariah. It is obligatory to adhere to such a "jamā‘ah", and it is impermissible to rebel against them and their leader. 2. The great majority of Muslims. 3. The eminent scholars and those qualified to practice "ijtihād" (personal reasoning in religious matters). 4. The Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, in particular. 5. The methodology of Ahl-us-Sunnah in following the example of the Prophet, may Allah"s peace and blessings be upon him, and abandoning religious innovations. It is the sound methodology that must be followed and adopted. This is the meaning of interpreting "jamā‘ah" as the Companions, or the scholars, or the consensus, or the great majority. Fulfilling the command of "luzoom al-jamā‘ah" requires that the one competent for religious assignment follows what the "mujtahids" (those qualified for ijtihād) have agreed on and the ruler on whom the Muslims have agreed, and to obey him in what is good and not to rebel against him.

التعريف

To follow the ruler who follows the Qur'an and the sunnah.