What is the authenticity of the hadith: "There will always be a group from my Ummah (nation) standing firm upon the command of Allah; those who desert them or oppose them will not harm them, until the command of Allah comes while they are manifest over the people." So it was asked, "Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said, "They are in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem)"?

The Hadith (definition), "There will always remain a group from my Ummah...", is authentic and متواتر (mutawatir - consecutively narrated). Sheikh Ibn Taymiyyah stated that this Hadith indicates that the Ummah will experience division, and that this group is the saved and victorious sect until the Day of Judgment.

As for the addition that specifies the location of this group as Jerusalem, it was narrated by Imam Ahmad, and Al-Albani deemed it weak. Assuming its authenticity, the intent is that they will be in Sham (Greater Syria) at certain times, such as at the end of time when the Dajjal besieges them and Isa (Jesus) descends.

Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar stated that those referred to are those whom the Dajjal besieges.

Sheikh Hammoud Al-Tuwaijri mentioned that Al-Tabari was of the opinion that they do not necessarily have to be in Sham or Jerusalem permanently, but may be in another location.

Sheikh Abdurrahman bin Hassan Al-Sheikh affirmed that reality bears witness to the dispersion of the people of truth and Sunnah (definition) in most lands, and that this group may gather and disperse, and may be in Sham or elsewhere. He added that the Hadith of Abu Umamah and the statement of Mu'adh do not imply that they are confined to Sham, but rather that they will be there at certain times.

It appears that the Hadiths indicate this group will be in Sham at the end of time, upon the emergence of the Dajjal and the descent of Isa, where the Caliphate will be, and they will remain manifest upon the truth until the Day of Judgment. As for our time, this group is dispersed across the lands of the Earth, and may sometimes be more numerous in certain places due to the blessings of da'wah (inviting to Islam) and the renewal of the religion.