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Praise belongs to Allah, the Mighty, Giver of Gifts, King of kings and Lord of lords. He is the One Who sent the book down upon His slave, as a guidance and a reminder to those of understanding. Within it He placed the furthest limit of wisdom, decisive discourse, useful sciences, and conclusive proofs. He singled out for it the most astonishing of every astonishing wonder of exalted qualities, concealed subtleties, clear indications and divine secrets. He made it at the highest level of elucidation so that it is impossible for men and jinn [to imitate]. Scholars who are masters of language recognise the eloquence, skill, composition, syntax and abundant goodness it
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h Syed Abdul-Qadir al-Jilani (d. 561/1166; Rahmatullah 'Alayh) stated in his commentary to the above Hadith in Ghunyat at-Talibin (pg. 90), "The Believer should adapt himself to the Sunnah and to the Jama'ah. The Sunnah is the way shown by Rasulullah (Peace be upon him). The Jama'ah is composed of the things done unanimously by the Sahaba al-Kiram who lived in the time of the four caliphs called Khulafa' ar-Rashidin (and others in their path). A Muslim must prevent the multiplication of the men of bid'ah and keep away from them, and should not greet them (as given in many Hadith on this issue). Ahmad ibn Hanbal (rahimahullah), the Imam of our Madhhab, said that greeting a man of bid'ah meant loving him since it had been declared in a Hadith, 'Disseminate (your) greeting (salaam)! Love one another in this way!" He also said (pg. 143): "The title, Ahl as-Sunnah, which the innovators have expressed for themselves is not appropriate for them."