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What Is This Manhajus-Salafiyyah And Its Reality?
Regarding the word Manhaj, then it is defined as An-Nahju, al-Manhaj and al-Minhaaj which all mean the clear methodology and manifest way. So manhaj is the methodology that the Taalibul-‘Ilm (student of knowledge) treads upon in giving da’wah (calling to Allaah), and this is the intent of the word.
Allaah subhaanahu wa ta’aalaa said,
"To each and everyone amongst you We have prescribed and made a Shir’ah (Sharee’ah, law) and a Minhaaj (clear way)…" [al-Maa’idah (5):48]
This shows that the Sharee’ah and al-Manhaj both go together and they can not be separated.
The word Salaf is known in the Arabic language and this is nothing new, as for Salafiyyah, its affair is clear and from the angle of the language it is a Nisbah (ascription or affiliation) to he who has proceeded, meaning he who has passed. So it is said in the Arabic language, "Salafa fulaanan Salafan" which means: "Someone has preceded." And it is said, "Salafa shay Salafan" to mean: "Something has passed." It is also said about the one who has passed, "He is Saalif (a predecessor and he has preceded)." If a man has precedence in anything it is said that he has preceded it. And in the hadeeth: "You have accepted Islaam upon that which you previously (Aslafta) had of good."
Meaning that which has proceeded from before.
As for As-Salaf then it is a group of predecessors, and a people who have preceded us in conduct and manners.
Allaah tabaraak wa ta’aalaa said, "So when they angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all, and made them a Salafan (a precedent as an lesson for those coming after them) and an example to later generations." [az-Zukhruf (43):55-56]
That is "...when they angered Us, We punished them, drowning them all making them a precedent..." making them predecessors for those who do actions like theirs, so that the people coming after them can take heed and warn others by their example.
As-Salaf can also mean every good deed that one does, as it is said: "Qad salaf lahu 'amal saalih." Meaning: "Verily he has good righteous deeds that have preceded him."
As-Salaf are also those who precede you, from amongst your ancestors, forefathers and relatives who may be older than you or better than you in virtue and goodness. As in the hadeeth when the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam said to his daughter Faatimah radhiyallaahu ta’aalaa ‘anhaa, "Jibreel ‘alayhis-Salaam used to review the Qur’aan with me once every year, and now he reviewed it with me twice, therefore I think that my time of death had approached. So, fear Allaah and be patient, Fa'inna ni’mas-Salafu ana laki (for verily I am the best Salaf -predecessor for you.") [Muslim, (no.2450)]
So due to this, the first generation As-Sahaabah (Companions) were called As-Salafus-Saalih (the Pious and Righteous Predecessors). The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam and his Ashaab (Companions) and those that follow them in Ihsaan (goodness) are the Salaf of this Ummah.
The majority of the ‘Ulemaa’ (Scholars) from Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah defined the word Salaf as being the Sahaabah (first generation), Taabi’oon (the Successors and second generation) and the Atbaa at-Taabi’oon (the Successors to the Successors and they are the third generation), so these are the first three favored generations.
This has been taken from the saying of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam, "The best of people are my generation then those who come after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come a people in whom there will be no good." [Mutafaqun 'alayhe (agreed upon) saheehal-Bukhaaree (no.2652) and saheeh Muslim (no.2533) and it is reported by At-Tabaraanee from Ibn Mas’ood radhiyallaahu ta’aalaa ‘anhu and declared saheeh by Al-Albaanee in his Saheeh al-Jaami’]
Similar to this From Layth bin Sa'd narrated from Muhammad bin 'Ijlaan from his father (al-'Ijlaanee) from Abee Hurayrah radhiyallaahu ta’aalaa ‘anhu who said, "It was said to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam, "O Messenger of Allaah! Which of the people are the best? He said to him, "I am as well as those who are with me." He said (Abu Hurayrah): It was said to him, "Then who O Messenger of Allaah? He said, "Those who are upon the athar (Prophetic Narrations)." He (Abu Hurayrah) said: It was said to him, "Then who O Messenger of Allaah? He said, "Those who are upon the athar, then those who are upon the athar." He said (Abu Hurayrah): So it was as though he rejected the rest." [Hadeeth hasan reported by Ahmad (3/155) with a hasan.]
Attesting to this fact Muhammad bin Seereen rahimahullaah (d.110 H) said, "They (the Sahaabah and the Taabi’een) used to consider themselves upon the path (of truth) so long as they held onto the Athar (the Prophetic Narrations and those of Companions). [Reported by Imaam al-Laalikaa’ee (d. 418 H) in his Sharh Usoolil-I’tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah (no. 110.)]
Therefore "Ad-Da’watus-Salafiyyah" takes the manhaj (way or methodology) of the Salafus-Saalih, because their way is the best way for the correctness of this Ummah which brings us back to the original state of affairs as Imaam Maalik –rahimahullaahu ta’aalaa said, "The (affairs of the) latter part of this Ummah will not be corrected except by that which corrected its first part." [Reported by Ibn ‘Abdil-Barr in his book At-Tamheed]
Anas bin Maalik radhiyallaahu ta’aalaa ‘anhu said, "The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam said, "Indeed Banee Israa’eel divided into seventy one different sects and my Ummah will divide into seventy two different sects, all of them in the fire except one and that is the Jamaa’ah." [Reported by Ibn Maajah (no.3993) and declared saheeh by Shaykh Al-Albaanee]
In another narration reported by Imaam al-Haakim and others in his sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam description of al-Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the Saved Sect) ‘Abdullaah bin ‘Amr Al-'Aas radhiyallaahu ta’aalaa ‘anhu said, "The Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam said, "The Children of Israa’eel split into seventy two sects and my Ummah will split into seventy three different sects, all of which are in the Fire except one sect." They asked, "Which is that one, Oh Messenger of Allaah?" He replied, "That which I and my Companions are upon." [Declared hasan by Shaykh Al-Albaanee.]
Also with this wording, "That which I and my Companions are upon today..." [this is saheeh (authentic)]
As-Salafiyyah is one tareeqah (path or way), the manhaj of Ahlul-Hadeeth wal-Athar and this nisbah (ascription to as-Salafiyyah) is taken from the Salafus-Saalih (Ahlus-Sunnah wa Ahlul-Hadeeth wal-Athar), those who proceeded us in goodness and they are the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, may Allaah be pleased with them and those who follow them in goodness until the Day of Jugdement, these are the Salaf! So whoever follows their way after them (in ‘Aqeedah (belief) and Manhaj), this is Salafiyyah.
And the word "Salafiyyah" was not applied during the time of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions –and there was no need for this application,because the Muslims were upon the correct Islaam so there was no need for a word such as "Salafiyyah" at that time. However, when the fitan (tribulations) occurred and the sects increased and the Ummah split the ‘Ulemaa’ of Ahlus-Sunnah stood to distinguish those upon the truth from those upon falsehood and so they stated "Ahlul-Hadeeth" and "as-Salaf."
Abu Haneefah (d. 150H) – rahimahullaah said: "Adhere to the Athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way) of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and beware of newly invented matters for all of it is innovation." [Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawnul-Mantaq wal-Kalaam (p.32)]
Therefore "As-Salafiyyah" is distinguished from all the various Islaamic groups and sects due to their ascription to what guarantees for them the correct and true Islaam, which is adherence to what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wasallam) and his Companions were upon, as occurs in the authentic Ahaadeeth.
Based on all the above mentioned, it is Waajib ‘alaa kullin Muslimin wa Muslimatin wa ‘ala kullin Taalibil-‘Ilmin (obligatory upon every Muslim (male/female) and every student of Knowledge) that their manhaj be Salafee because the meaning of this is accepting and implementing the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger by submitting to the Commands of Allaah mentioned in His Book (Qur’aan).
Allaah azza wa jalla said,
"Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys Allaah." [an-Nisaa’(4):80]
And His statement,
"O you who believe! Obey Allaah, and obey the Messenger…" [Muhammad(47):33]
And His statement,
"But no by your Lord, they do not have true Eemaan, until they make you (O Muhammad) a judge in all disputes between them, and they find in within themselves no resistance and opinions against your decisions, but they accept them with full submission." [an-Nisaa’ (4):65]
And His statement,
"And whatsoever the Messenger gives you take it, and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it)…" [al-Hashr (59):7]
And the saying of Allaah ta’aalaa,
"Say (O Muhammad): "If you (really) love Allaah then follow me. Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." Say: "Obey Allaah and His Messenger." But if they turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers." [Aali-‘Imraan (3):31-32]
And His statement,
"Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah you have a fine example to follow..." [al-Ahzaab (33):21]
And His statement,
"Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord and don’t follow any ‘Awliyaa (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allaah), besides Him (Allaah). Little do they remember!" [al-‘Araaf (7):3]
And the saying of Allaah ta’aalaa,
"It is not fitting for a believer, man or woman when a matter has been decision by Allaah and His Messenger to have any option about their decision, If anyone disobeys Allaah and His Messenger, he has strayed into a clear error." [al-Ahzaab(33):36]
And His statement,
"And let those who oppose the Messengers commandment beware lest some fitnah (trial) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them." [an-Noor (24):63]
And other than these from the ayaat of the sayings of Allaah, because Allaah made this obligatory upon us that we follow His Messenger, and just as we testify to the Wahdaniyyah (Oneness) of Allaah in His ‘Ibaadah (worship) by saying: "Ash-hadu an laa ilaaha illallaah", then likewise we testify to the Oneness of the message of the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam and we single him out with al-‘Ittiba’i (following) him alone.
And it is not permissible to follow anyone else other than the Messenger of Allaah sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam. ‘Abdullaah bin Mubaarak (d. 181H) - rahimahullaah said, "I found that the affair was ‘Ittibaa’ (following and imitation as well as implementation and submission to the Aathaar)." [Reported by al-Laalikaa’ee in his Sharh Usoolil-I’tiqaad, (no. 113.)]
Baarakallaahu feekum (May Allaah bless you all), It is just as our beloved father, Shaykh, al-'Allaamah 'Ubayd bin Sulaymaan Aaly Jaabiree may Allaah preserve him said in his 'Usool wa Qawaa'id fee al-Manhajis-Salafee (Fundamentals and Principles concerning The Salafee Manhaj), that the Imaam of As-Salafiyyah is the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam so there is no founder of Salafiyyah in anytime and place from amongst man, rather it comes from Allaah azza wa jalla to Jibreel ‘alayhis-Salaam to our beloved Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam and he passed it on to his Ashaab. From the A'immah (Imaams) and revivers of Salafiyyah after the Sahaabah -Companions- (at the head of them are the rightly guided Khulafaa' -Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, ‘Umar bin Al-Khattaab, ‘Uthmaan bin 'Affan and ‘Alee bin Abee Taalib ), comes the Taabi’oon and at the head of them, Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib (d. 90H), Ash-Sha’bee, ‘Ikrimah, and Mujaahid.
And the likes of, 'Urwah ibn Zubayr (d. 94H), 'Alee ibn al-Hussayn Zaynul-'Aabideen (d. 93H), Muhammad ibn Hanafiyyah (d. 80 or 81H), 'Ubaydullaah ibn 'Abdillaah ibn 'Utbah ibn Mas'ood (d. 94H or later), Saleem ibn 'Abdillaah ibn 'Umar (d. 106H), Qaasim ibn Muhammad ibn Abee Bakr as-Siddeeq (d. 106H), al-Hasan al-Basree (d. 110H), Muhammad ibn Seereen (d. 110H), 'Umar ibn 'Abdil-'Azeez (d. 101H), Al-‘Awzaa’ee (d.157 H),Muhammad ibn Shihaab Az-Zuhree (d. 125H), the two Sufyaans (Sufyaan Ath-Thawree (d.161 H) and Sufyaan bin ‘Uyaynah (d. 197) and ‘Abdullaah bin Mubaarak (d. 181H).
The A'immah (leaders) of Salafiyyah from amongst the Taabi’u Taabi’een are the likes of the four Imaams (Ahmad bin Hanbal, Maalik bin Anas, Muhammad bin Idrees Ash-Shaafi’ee and Abu Haneefah), the two Hammaads (Hammaad bin Salamah and Hammaad bin Zayd), , Layth bin Sa’d, Abu ‘Ubayd al-Qaasim bin Sallaam, Abu 'Abdillaah Muhammad Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim and after them from the later centuries like Ibn Taymiyyah (728 AH), and his students: Adh-Dhahaabee (748 AH), Ibn al-Qayyim (751 AH), Ibn Katheer (774 AH) and others. Muhammad bin 'Abdil-Wahhaab (1206 AH) and many of his students. Whoever was upon their way, then surely they are the Imaams of the Salafus-Saalih (Righteous Predecessors).
The Salafees are the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah, and they are the Taa’ifatul- Mansoorah (the Aided, Victorious Group), the Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the Saved Sect), the Scholars and Illuminaries of every era which have been mentioned in the following statements of the Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam: "There shall not cease to remain a single group from my Ummah, obedient to Allaah’s orders. They will not be harmed by those who desert them, nor those who oppose them, until Allaah’s order comes about and they have ascendancy over the people." [Reported by al-Bukhaaree (no.4719)]
And in another narration,
"There will not cease to be a group from my Ummah upon the Truth and victorious, they are unharmed by those who abandon them and those who oppose them. They will remain (in my Ummah and in such a state) until they fight ad- Dajjaal (the liar, the Anti-Christ)." [Reported in Saheeh Muslim]
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam also said,
"This ‘Ilm (knowledge of this Deen) will be carried by the trustworthy ones of every generation. They will remove from it the tahreef (distortions, changes and alteration) of the ones going beyond bounds, the false assumptions of the liars and the false ta’weel (interpretations and explanations) of the Jaahileen (ignorant)." [Reported by Imaam al-Bayhaqee, Ibn ‘Adeey, Ibn ‘Asaakir, Aboo Nu’aym al-Asbahaanee,Ibnul-Wazeer al-Yamaanee in Ar-Rawdun-Naas (vol.1/21-23), and Mishkaatul-Masaabeeh (no.248) of Imaam al-Albaanee and it is saheeh. It was also authenticated by Imaam al-Albaanee in Takhreejul-Mishkaat(1/28-38/248), from Ibraaheem bin ‘Abdir-Rahmaan and Mu'aadh bin Jabal radhiyallaahu ta'aalaa 'anhummaa]
So the question now 'Ayyuhal Ikhwah wa Akhawaat- (O my dear brothers and sisters) - is, Why should one ascribe to the Salafiyyah in these times of ours and is it sufficient for one to just say "I'm just a Sunnee Muslim"?
Our Shaykh Ibraaheem ar-Ruhaylee -may Allaah preserve him- wrote an extensive research on this topic in his unique book The Stance of the People of the Sunnah and the Community Regarding the People of Vain Desires and Innovation in which he proved the permissibility of calling oneself salafee and that it is not considered an innovation, he said: "...And it is not considered as an innovation in the slightest, for Ahlus-Sunnah to call themselves salafees, yet the terminology of the salaf equals the terminology of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah, and this is perceived by contemplating upon agreement of the two terminologies with respect to the Companions, for they are the Salaf and they are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah...So with this, it is affirmed that applying this name to Ahlus-Sunnah is religiously legitimate and it relates back in its original meaning to their religious name, such as Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah, the Victorious Group, and the Saved Sect, in order to differentiate between them (Ahlul-Bid'ah wal-Ahwaa') and those who ascribe themselves to Islaam from amongst those who have deviated from the correct 'Aqeedah (Creed) that the Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam left his Ummah upon. For this purpose the scholars mentioned that the terminology of Salaf came about at the time when difference occurred over the Usoolud-Deen (Foundations of the Religion) in 'Aqeedah between the rhetorical sects and when they all attempted to ascribe themselves to the Salafus-Saalih, so it became incumbent to establish clear principles for the Salafee Manhaj which distinguishes it from others who merely claim affiliation to Salafiyyah."
[Mawqif Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah min Ahlil-Ahwaa'i wal-Bida'h (16/4)]
Our Shaykh al-‘Allaamah Saaleh bin ‘Abdillaah al-Fawzaan –may Allaah preserve him was asked,"Is one who calls himself a "Salafee" to be considered a "hizbee" (partisan or a party spirted person)?"
He replied, "There is not harm in labeling oneself with Salafiyyah when it is in truth. However, if it is merely a claim then it is not permissible to label oneself with Salafiyyah, whilst one is upon a manhaj other than that of the Salaf.
The Ash'arees for example, say "We are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah" and this is not correct.
This is because what they are upon is not the manhaj of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. It is likewise for the Mu'tazilah who call themselves
"Muwahhideen" (Monotheists, People of Tawheed).
"All of them claim to have love for Laylaa
Yet, Laylaa does not affirm this for any of them"So, the one who claims that he is upon the madhhab of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah [actually] follows the path of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah and abandons the Oppossers. However if he [is one who] wants to unite the lizard and the fish - as they say - meaning, to unite a creature from the land with a creature from the sea, or to unite water and fire in a vessel, then this is not possible.
In light of this, Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah do not reconcile with the path (madhhab) of those who oppose them such as the Khawaarij, the Mu'tazilah, the Hizbiyyeen amongst those who call themselves, the Contemporary Muslims.
Such is one who wants to unite between the errors and misguidance of the contemporaries with the manhaj of the Salaf. So "The latter part of this Ummah will not be corrected except by that which corrected its earliest part."
The essence of the matter is that it is necessary to weigh matters and to separate them."
Shaykul-Islaam lbn Taymiyyah (d.728H) - rahimahullaah - said: "There is no criticism or blameworthiness for the one who proclaims the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement (Ittifaaq) because the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)." [Majmoo al-Fataawaa (4:149)]
Imaam adh-Dhahabee (d.748H.) -rahimahullaah- said, "It is authentically related from ad-Daaraqutnee that said, "There is nothing more despised by me than 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorical speech)." I say, No person should ever enter into 'ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, he should be Salafee (a follower of As-Salaf)." [Siyar (16/457)]
He also said: "Trustworthiness is a portion of the Deen (piety), and precision is included in proficiency, so what a Haafidh or scholar really needs is to be,Taqiyyaan (one who has taqwaa of Allaah), Dhakiyyaan (intelligent), Nahwiyyaan (a grammarian), Lugawiyyaan (a firm linguist), Zakiyyaan (pure and righteous), Hayiyyaan (chaste and modest), Salafiyyaan (a Salafee) and it is sufficient enough for him to write two hundred volumes and to gather five hundred reliable compilations and not to become tired or fatigued by seeking knowledge till death, with sincerity and humility otherwise let him not trouble himself (with this field of ours)." [Siyar A'laamin-Nubaalaa (13/380)]
And the Imaam ‘Allaamah, Shaykh‘Abdul-‘Azeez Ibn 'Abdillaah Aali Baaz – the [former] muftee of Saudi Arabia was asked: "What do you say about the one who calls himself "Salafee" or "Atharee" ? Is this is a tazkiyah (a purification) of his own self (using the term Salafee subliminally which is of a condecendent and arrogant way, "I am upon the Haqq (truth) just as the Salaf were upon, so the truth is with me, I am the carrier of this haqq and you can only attain it by me.")?
So he replied – may Allaah have mercy upon him – "When he is being truthful [in his claim] that he is Salafee or Atharee then there is not harm in that, [this is] similar to what the Salaf used to say, "So and so is a Salafee" , "So and so is Atharee" as a tazkiyah (commendation) which was necessary, a tazkiyah that is obligatory." [Cassette: Haqqul-Muslim 16/1/1413 Taa’if]
And Shaykh Bakr bin 'Abdillaah Aboo Zayd -may Allaah have mercy on him-said, "And when it is said, "Salaf" or "the Salafees" or "Salafiyyah" then this is a ascription to the Salafus-Saalih, all of the Sahaabah – may Allaah be pleased with them. So whoever followed them in goodness, and not those who were led astray with desires… And those who were firm upon the methodology (minhaaj) of Prophethood were associated (by others) to the Salaf us-Saalih. Hence it was said to them, [that they are], ‘the Salaf’, ‘the Salafees’ and an ascription to them [being the word] ‘Salafee’. So upon this, the word Salaf means, the Salafus-Saalih (the Righteous Predecessors). And this word when it is applied generally means everyone who guides himself by the Sahaabah – may Allaah be pleased with them – even if he was in this modern time of ours. It is like this, and this is what the sayings of the People of Knowledge are agreed upon. Therefore, this is an ascription which does not have any aspect which departs from the requirements of the Book and the Sunnah. Rather it is an ascription which does not depart, even for one moment, from the very first generation [of Muslims]. It is from them and returns to them. As for the one who opposes them with a particular name or custom, then no, even if he lived amongst them and in their time." [Hukmul-Intimaa (p.36)].
He also said: "Be a Salafee upon earnestness, following the way of the pious predecessors , as well as those after them, who followed their footsteps in all aspects of the Religion, such as Tawheed, acts of worship and so on…" [Hilyata Taalib al-‘Ilm (pg. 8)]
Al-‘Allaamah Muhammad Amaan bin ‘Alee Al-Jaamee, may Allaah have mercy on him,said in As-Sifaat-ul-Ilaahiyyah fil-Kitaabi was-Sunnah (pg. 57):
"When we use the word "Salaf" generally, from a religious standpoint, we mean by it: The Companions of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) – those who were present during his lifetime and accepted the Religion from him directly…those who also fall under this term are the ones who followed them – those who inherited their knowledge before a long time had passed and those who fall under the testimony and praise of Allaah’s Messenger for them that they were the best of mankind, when he (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) said:
"The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them."
This term (Salaf) also includes the successors of the Taabi’een."
Shaykh Saaleh bin ‘Abdillaah Al-‘Abood, said in his book,'Aqeedatush-Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abdil-Wahhaab as-Salafiyyah (pg. 254-255):
"What is intended by the term "Salafiyyah" is: Following the way of the Pious Predecessors (Salaf as- Saalih) of this Muslim ummah, who are in fact Ahlus- Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. This means uniting oneself and gathering others upon the following of the Sunnah of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), in hidden and in open, and following the way of the first and foremost from the Muhaajireen and Ansaar, who followed them in goodness."
In the verdict of the Permanent Committee, No. 1361 (1/165) there occurs,"Salafiyyah is an ascription to the Salaf, and the Salaf are the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam) and the Imaams of Guidance from the first three generations (may Allaah be pleased with them), those whose goodness has been testified for by Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wa sallam),
"The best of people are my generation, then those who follow after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come a people whose testimony will precede their oath and their oath will precede their testimony."
[Reported by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad and also by al-Bukhaaree and Muslim]And "the Salafees" (Salafiyyoon) is the plural of "Salafee", which is an ascription to the Salaf, and its meaning has already preceded. And they are the ones who traverse upon the minhaaj of the Salaf, from amongst the followers of the Book and the Sunnah, those who call to them both, and to acting upon them, as a result of which they are from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah."
There also occurs in their reply to the question,
"I want the explanation of the word "Salaf" and also who are the Salafees?", the following:
"The Salaf [the Salafees] are Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, the followers of Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wasallam) from amongst the Companions and whoever follows their methodology until the Day of Judgement,and when the Messenger (sallallaahu ‘alayhe wasallam) was asked about al-Firqah an-Naajiyah (the Saved Sect), he said,
"They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon today…" [Fatawaa No. 6149, 2/164]
We would like to bring the kalaam (speech) of Shaykh Bakr bin ‘Abdillaah Aboo Zayd rahimahullaahu ta'aala, again as he said: "If it is said: the Salaf or the Salafees or their efforts, Salafiyyah, then these are all ascriptions to the Salaf as-Saalih (righteous predecessors), which includes all of the Companions, may Allaah be pleased with them, as well as those who followed them in goodness, excluding those who were driven by vain desires. Those who remained firm upon the methodology of the prophets (after them) were ascribed to their righteous predecessors because of that. And so they were called: Salaf, Salafees, and their ascription would be: Salafee. So based on this, the term Salaf means the righteous predecessors. When used generally, this term means: Everyone that strives to follow the Companions, even if they are in our time, and so on. This is what the scholars all agree on. So it is an ascription, which can be traced back to the Book and the Sunnah, and it is an ascription that cannot be separated for even a moment from the first generation (Salaf), rather it was from them and returns to them. As for the one who opposed them by using a different name or ascription, then no (he is not from them), even if he lived amongst them and was their contemporary. This is why the Companions were free from the Qadariyyah and the Murji’ah." [Hukmul-Intimaa ilal-Firaq wal-Ahzaab wal-Jamaa’aat al-Islaamiyyah (pg. 46-47)]
Know, may Allaah give me and you the tawfeeq (success) in what is good and facilitate for you affairs and grant you 'Aafiyyah (good health and well-being) so that you may acheieve your objectives in a manner that pleases Him.
The Salafee Da'wah is a scholarly,Sharee'ah-related one based on Tasfiyyah (clearing the Religion of the non-authentic narrations) and Tarbiyyah (nurturing a generation on the basis of the authenticated narrations of the Religion) in the light of the Book and the purified Sunnah, and it aims at maintaining the nation's faith and security. It is against the method of this blessed Da'wah to be involved in the field of contemporary politics.
This is As-Salafiyyah, the crystal clear and blessed Manhaj of da'wah which the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam has left behide and bequeathed for this ummah and the 'Ulemaa'(Scholars) have responded and inherited it directly from him.
From the hadeeth of al-‘Irbaad bin Saariyah, radhiyallaahu ta'aalaa 'anhu that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhe sallam said, "...So I order you to stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Khulafaa’ after me. Bite on to that with your molar teeth and beware of the newly invented matters, for verily every innovation is misguidance." [Reported by Ahmad bin Hanbal in his Musnad (4/126-127), at-Tirmidhee (2676) Aboo Daawood (4607) and others.]
And in another narration,
"I have left you (after me) upon al-Baydhaa' (the white one, clear proof, signifying clarity, his Sunnah), its night is like its day, no one deviates from it except that he is destroyed, and whoever amongst you lives for long will see great controversy. So stick to what you know from my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-guided Khulafaa', cling to that with your molar teeth." [Reported by Ahmad (4/126), Ibn Maajah (no.43), al-Haakim (1/96) from al-'Irbaad bin Saariyah and it is saheeh by Shaykh al-Albaanee in as-Saheehah (no.937).]Imaam Maalik bin Anas rahimahullaah (d.179H) said, "The Sunnah is like the Ark of Noah. Whoever embarks upon it reaches salvation and whoever refuses is drowned." [Reported by Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Tayimiyyah in Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (4/57).]
I say (Abu Ruqayyah) you must look at the Sunnah as that which would give you life, a protection from destruction. Because the one who is in the middle of the Ocean drowning, he would desperately try his best to grab and cling tightly to anything that would help keep him afloat from drowning into the depths of the dark Ocean, he would even begin biting onto it with his teeth to save his life.Allaahu azza wa jalla said:
"And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah (the Qur’aan) and do not be divided amongst yourselves and remember Allaah’s Favors upon you…" [Soorah Aali-‘Imraan(3):103]I hope that the affair of Salafiyyah in its reality has become clearer to you and that you benefit from these statements of our beloved 'Ulemaa' past and present (Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah) concerning this blessed Manhaj.
'Abdur-Rahmaan al-'Umar Aboo Ruqayyah
Compiled on the 6th of Safar, -1428AH
and Edited on Sunday night, the 27th of Rabee'ath-Thaanee, -1429AH (Corresponding to May 4th 2008)
http://alatharee.multiply.com/journal/item/101/What_Is_This_Manhajus-Salafiyyah_And_Its_Reality
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