In The Name of Allaah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.

Al-Allaamah Saaleh Al-Fawzaan [may Allaah preserve him] said:

Allaah [The Most High] stated:

قُلۡ هَـٰذِهِۦ سَبِيلِىٓ أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ عَلَىٰ بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا۟ وَمَنِ ٱتَّبَعَنِى‌ۖ وَسُبۡحَـٰنَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَآ أَنَا۟ مِنَ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ

Say (O Muhammad): “This is my way; I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allah i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allah (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah; those who worship others along with Allah or set up rivals or partners to Allah).”

[أَدۡعُوٓاْ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ – I invite unto Allah (i.e. to the Oneness of Allah – Islamic Monotheism)]. This part of the Ayah contains a notification regarding sincerity, because indeed some people call to themselves. It may be that a person propagates, delivers lectures and sermons, but his aim is to become apparent to the people – to receive some status, praised by the people and that people gather around him and become numerous around him. If this is his aim, then he is not one who calls to Allaah; rather he is a caller to himself. The person who abandons Dawah has indeed abandoned a great obligation and the person who is not sincere in Dawah has indeed fallen into a great danger, because Dawah has to be carried out sincerely for the Sake of Allaah and the aim should be to establish the Sharee’ah of Allaah- to guide and benefit the people, whether you are praised or rebuked. As for some people, when they are not praised and promoted, they abandon Dawah. This is a proof that such a caller is not a caller to Allaah, rather he only calls to himself. Therefore, the Muslim should be warned and that his aim in dawah should be sincerity, to benefit the people, free them from Shirk and bidah, free them from those affairs that are in opposition to the sharee’ah and fulfil what is obligated on him.

A great number of people around a person is a not proof that such a person is virtuous, because some of the Prophets were only followed by few people. “A Prophet will come on the day of judgement with a few followers and a Prophet will come with no followers”. [Bukhaari 5705]. So, does this mean that such a Prophet is not virtuous? No, definitely not! A person does not look at the large number of people who are present, because the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] said to Ali, “If Allaah gives guidance to a single man through you, it is better for you than possessing red camels”. [Bukhaari 3009] (1)

“Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah are not harmed by those who oppose them. If you are with them- all praise is due to Allaah, they are pleased with this because indeed they want good for the people. If you oppose them, you cannot harm them and due to this the Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]said, “There will not cease to be a group of my Ummah who will be manifest upon the truth- not harmed by those who forsake them until the command of Allaah comes to pass (i.e. the day of judgement) whilst they are (still) upon that (truth)”. The one in opposition does not harm except himself. What is given consideration is not the great numbers; rather what is given consideration is to be in agreement with the truth, even if a small number of people were upon it. And even if in some eras there is only one person (upon truth), then he is the one upon truth and he is the Jamaa’ah. The Jamaa’ah does not necessitate great numbers; rather the Jamaa’ah is what is in agreement with the truth – in agreement with the Book and the Sunnah, even if those upon it are few. However, if many come together and (upon) truth, then – all praise is due to Allaah- this is strength. But if the majority oppose it (i.e. the truth), then we side with the truth even if only a few are upon it”. (2)

Imaam Abdul Azeez Bin Baaz [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: Let every Muslim be careful of being deceived by the great numbers [of people upon such and such idea, view, belief, way of life etc], whilst saying: ‘’Indeed, the people have become such and such, and have become accustomed to such and such, so I am with them’’. This is a great calamity, for indeed many people of the past were destroyed due to this [i.e. blindly following the majority]. Therefore, O sensible one! It is obligated on you to examine yourself; take account of yourself and adhere to the truth, even if the people abandon it. Beware of what Allaah has forbidden, even if the people do it, for indeed the truth is more worthy of being followed, just as Allaah [The Most High] said: [وَإِنْ تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَنْ فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّه ِ -And if you obey most of those on earth, they will mislead you far away from Allah’s Path. [Surah Al An-aam Ayah 116]

And Allaah [The Most High] said: [ وَمَآ أَڪۡثَرُ ٱلنَّاسِ وَلَوۡ حَرَصۡتَ بِمُؤۡمِنِينَ-And most of mankind will not believe even if you desire it eagerly] [Surah Yusuf Ayah 103]. (3)

Imaam Ibnul Qayyim [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: When the hypocrites and those in whose hearts there is a disease saw that the party of Allaah [i.e. the believers] were small in number and the enemies of Allaah were numerous, they thought that victory would be for those who were huge in number. Allaah [The Most High] says that the hypocrites said: [غَرَّ هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ دِينُهُمۡ – These people (Muslims) are deceived by their religion]. [Surah Anfaal Ayah 49]. So, Allaah [Glorified be He and Free is He From all Imperfections] informed [them] that victory is achieved through placing one’s trust and reliance upon Allaah and not due to being huge in number, for indeed Allaah [The Most High] cannot be defeated; rather Allaah [The Most High] is All-Wise and He aids those who deserve help, even if they are weak. Allaah is the All-Wise and All-Mighty, and this necessitates that He will aid the party that truly relies upon Him. (4)

Abu Shaamah [may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: When the command to adhere to the Jamaa’ah (the main body) is (mentioned), then the intent behind it is to adhere to the truth, even if those who follow it are few and those who oppose it are numerous. That is because the truth is that which the first Jamaa’ah was upon- the Prophet [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him] and his companions[may Allaah be pleased with them]- and one does not give consideration to the numerous people of falsehood. (5)

Al-Allaamah Muqbil Bin Haadee Al-Waadi’ee may Allaah have mercy upon him] said: If numbers is the scale by way of which you judge, then the majority are mostly blameworthy; and if persuasive speech and eloquence is the scale by way of which you judge, then indeed Allaah described the Munaafiqoon that they have tongues that utter beautiful speech. Allaah said: [وَإِن يَقُولُواْ تَسۡمَعۡ لِقَوۡلِهِمۡ – And when they speak, you listen to their words]. [Surah Al-Munaafiqoon. Aayah 4]

Therefore, what is given consideration is that one knows the people of truth by their characteristics – that they call to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger [peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him, his family and companions], and they neither desire reward from the people nor seeking to be thanked. (6)

[Ref 1: An Excerpt from ‘I’aanah Al-Mustafeed Bi-Sharhi Kitaab At-Tawheed’ pages 97-98’ Publisher: Ar-Risaalah Publishers 1st edition 1428AH (Year 2007). Slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 2: An Excerpt from ( لمحة عن الفرق الضالة )– pages 14 -15. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 3: Majmoo Al-Fataawaa 12/ 412-416. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 4: Zaadul Ma’aad 3/181]

[Re 5: Al-Baa’ith Alaa Inkaaril Bid’ah Wal-Hawaadith’ page 22. slightly paraphrased]

[Ref 6: قم المعاند – 2/547]