Are the names of the People of the Sunnah and the Community (Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah) divinely ordained (tawqifiyyah) or conventional (istilahiyyah)? And is it permissible to call them by other names, such as "Sunniyyah," "Muhammadiyyah," or "Rashidah," if they are conventional? What is the evidence or reasoning for that?

The term "Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" (People of the Sunnah and the Community) is not a divinely ordained term (tawqifi). It was coined to distinguish a group of Muslims who are the saved sect (al-Firqah al-Najiyah) and the victorious group (al-Ta'ifah al-Mansurah). The first to use it was Abdullah ibn Abbas. They are those who adhere firmly to the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace be upon him), and upon which the Companions, the Successors, and the imams who followed them agreed. They uphold the Qur'an and the Sunnah and avoid innovations (bid'ah).

They are also referred to by other names, such as: - "Ahl al-Sunnah" (People of the Sunnah): Some authors named their books with this title. - "Al-Jama'ah" (The Community): Based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "Indeed, this nation will split into seventy-three sects; seventy-two are in the Fire, and one is in Paradise, and it is al-Jama'ah," and due to their agreement on the fundamental principles of religion and its imams. - "Ahl al-Athar" (People of the Narrations): In reference to the transmitted Sunnah. - "Ahl al-Hadith" (People of Hadith): Those who take the Sunnah of the Messenger through narration and understanding, and follow his guidance. - "Al-Firqah al-Najiyah" (The Saved Sect): Because they are saved from the Fire by following the Sunnah. - "Al-Ta'ifah al-Mansurah" (The Victorious Group): Based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "A group from my nation will remain triumphant upon the truth until the Hour is established." - "Ahl al-Ittiba'" (People of Adherence/Following): For their adherence to the traditions of the Messenger and the predecessors of the Ummah.

The consideration is the righteous methodology that an individual or group adheres to, not merely the names themselves.