Q 1: Nowadays, there are many groups and sects, each claim to be Al-Firqah Al-Najiyah (the saved sect). But we do not know which group is really following the Truth, so that we may join it. We hope you will tell us which group is the best and the most correct so that we can follow it. Please support your argument with evidence.

A: All these groups are included in Al-Firqah Al-Najiyah (the saved sect) except those who commit one of the Mukafirat (Crimes, the perpetration of which make one a disbeliever) violative of the Fundamentals of Faith. Yet, these groups differ in the degree of strength or weakness of their reliability according to their knowledge and practice of the truth or their misunderstanding of evidences and mistakes therein. The most rightly-guided of these groups is the group that best understands and acts upon the evidences (from the Qur’an and the Sunnah). Therefore, you have to examine their viewpoints and follow the one closest to the truth and the most abiding by its rules, yet do not underestimate the views of their other Muslim brothers, for this may drive you to reject what they have of truth. Rather, you should follow the truth wherever it may be, even if it comes to you through those you differ with on some issues. For truth is the conductor of a believer, and decisive evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah is the criterion for distinguishing truth from falsehood. (Part No. 2; Page No. 240) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.