Allâh the Mighty and Sublime laughs at two men [being pleased with them]: a man who stands in the middle of the night while his family sleeps; he purifies himself and stands in prayer, so Allâh laughs at him. And a man who meets the enemy [in battle] and his comrades are defeated; but he stands his ground until Allâh the Mighty and Sublime gives him martyrdom.

Abû Bakr Al-Âjurrî, Fadl Qiyâm Al-Layl, article 9.

Note: A longer version of this narration is reported from Allâh’s Messenger himself – praise and peace be upon him – in the Musnad of Ahmad and other collections. Shaykh Al-Albânî grades it good based on other corroboratory reports (hasan lighayrihi). See Sahîh Al-Targhîb wa Al-Tarhîb article 630.

More:

1. What to intend in Prayer
2. Weapons of Mass Distinction
3. Reciting the Quran like a Song
4. Umar b. Abd Al-Aziz on the Way of the Believers
5. The Hated Muezzin

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

I entered upon Mâlik b. Anas when a man was asking him about the Qur`ân. [Imâm Mâlik] said, “Perhaps you are a companion of  Amr b. ‘Ubayd. May Allâh curse ‘Amr, for he was the one who innovated this bid’ah of Kalâm  . If Kalâm was knowledge, the Companions and their Followers would have spoken it, like they spoke about the regulations and laws [of Islam]. But [Kalâm] is falsehood that leads to falsehood.”

Abul-Fadl Al-Muqri`Al-Râzî, Ahâdîth fî Dham Al-Kalâm wa Ahlihî p96.
Al-Harawî, Dham Al-Kalâm wa Ahlihî no.874.

More:

1. The Narrations are the Religion
2. Be with the Carriers of Books
3. Risking your religion through Argumentation
4. Asking for less refutation [signs of Ahl Al-Bidah]
5. Isn’t this that time?

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-’Azîz – Allah have mercy on him, said, “The Messenger of Allâh – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – and the authorities (leaders of the Muslims, the Caliphs ) after him set certain ways and practices. To follow those ways is to believe in Allâh’s Book and to complete [ones] obedience of Him, and to be strong upon the religion of Allâh. It is not for anyone to alter those ways or change them for something else, and it is not for anyone to consider the views and opinions of those who contradict them. Whoever follows what [the Prophet and his Caliphs] laid down will be guided, whoever seeks enlightenment through it will be enlightened. But whoever contradicts those ways and follows a way other than the way of the Believers, Allâh the Mighty and Majestic will leave him in the path he has chosen and land him in Jahannam (Hell); and what an evil destination that is.’”

Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah 1:94.

Notes

In this statement, Caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-Azîz affirms a number of important points related to the creed and methodology of Ahl Al-Sunnah wa Al-Jamâ’ah – orthodox Islam:

1. The path of guidance, the Sunnah, is what was laid down by the Prophet, as understood and implemented by the Rightly Guided Caliphs and Companions.
2. For a person to truly believe in the Quran, and to be guided, he must adhere to this Sunnah and to it alone.
3. A Muslim is not allowed to innovate in the religion or exchange any part of it for foreign beliefs and ideologies.
4. True enlightenment and insight lies in adhering to this way.
5. A Muslim is not supposed to be interested in and expose himself to the views and opinions of people who go against the Sunnah and way of the Salaf.
6. Going against this way is to follow ‘a way other than the way of the Believers’ and take a path to Hell; a reference to Al-Quran 4:115 where this principle is evidenced.

This narration is recorded with variant wordings in numerous other sources. In a version recorded on the authority of Muttarrif b. ‘Abdillâh by Al-Qâdî Abû Ya’lâ (d458H) in Ibtâl Al-Ta’wîl 1:52, it is stated that when those who ‘deflected the narrations speaking of the Sifât’ (divine attributes of Allâh) were mentioned in the presence of Imâm Mâlik, he would quote this saying of Caliph ‘Umar b. ‘Abd Al-’Azîz. In yet another report of this statement, the heretics being referred to are described as ‘the deviants in the religion.’

More:

1. Praying for the Muslim Ruler
2. The Sunni Sinner and the Devout Heretic
3. The Narrations are the Religion
4. Isn’t this that time?
5. Opinionated Enemies of the Sunnah

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi