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Why the word Salafee?

SomaliNet Forum (Archive): Islam (Religion): Archive (Before Mar. 13, 2001): Why the word Salafee?
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Anonymous

Monday, February 26, 2001 - 12:53 am
Why the word Salafee?

Author: Imaam Muhammad Naasir-ud-Deen Al-Albaanee
Source: Al-Asaalah Magazine Issue #9 (From our Upcoming E-Book release "Fataawaa of Shaikh
Al-Albaanee":O
Comments: This week's topic is about the word salafee, for indeed it is still an issue of debate amongst some
who claim that this word has no basis in the Religion. We hope the late Imaam's words provide a better
understanding on this matter. You may post your questions or comments to:
http://www.al-manhaj.com/ubb/Forum14/HTML/000012.html



Question: Why use the name Salafee? Is it a call towards a party or a group or a madh-hab (school of
thought)? Or is it a new sect in Islaam?

Answer: Indeed, the word Salaf is well known in the Arabic language as well as in the religious terminology.
But what concerns us here, is its discussion from the religious standpoint. Thus, it has been authentically
reported on the Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that during the sickness from which he died from, he
said to Faatimah, radyAllaahu 'anhaa: "…So fear Allaah and have patience. And I am the best Salaf
(predecessor) for you." [1]

Furthermore, the scholars have used this word “Salaf” many times, such that it would be too abundant to
number and take into account. Sufficient for us, is one example, and it was that which they have used in their
battle against innovations:

"And every good lies in following he who has preceded (man salaf)
while every evil lies in the innovating of he who came after (man khalaf)."

However, there are from those who claim to have knowledge, some people who reject this ascription, claiming
that there is no basis for it! And so they say: "It is not permissible for a Muslim to say: 'I am a Salafee.'” So it
is as if he is saying that it is not permissible for a Muslim to say: "I am following the Salaf As-Saalih (the Pious
Predecessors) in what they were upon from beliefs, worship and methodology":O There is no doubt that such a
rejection – if that is what he intended – necessitates that one free himself from the correct Islaam, which the
righteous predecessors were upon, at the head of whom was the Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam. This is
as is indicated in the mutawaatir hadeeth found in the two Saheehs and other than them, that he, sallAllaahu
'alayhi wa sallam, said:

"The best of mankind is my generation, then those that come after them, then those that come after
them."

So it is not permissible for a Muslim to absolve himself from this ascription to the righteous predecessors,
whereas, if he were to absolve himself from any other ascription, none of the scholars would be able to ascribe
him with disbelief or sinfulness.

As for the one who rejects this name from himself, will you not see him ascribing himself to one of the
madh-habs?! Regardless of whether this madh-hab is related to 'Aqeedah (Creed) or Fiqh (Jurisprudence)? So
he is either Ash'aree or Matureedee. Or perhaps he is from the people of Hadeeth or Hanafee, or Shaafi'ee or
Maalikee or Hanbalee or whatever else enters into the title of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. But the one who
ascribes himself to the Ash'aree madh-hab or to one of the four madh-habs is in fact ascribing himself to
individuals that are not infallible, without a doubt, even if there were scholars among them who were correct (in
their verdicts). I wish I knew – would these people reject the likes of these ascriptions to individuals who are not
free from error?

As for the one who ascribes himself to the Salaf As-Saalih (righteous predecessors), then he indeed ascribes
himself to infallibility ('ismah), in the general sense. The Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, has mentioned
that one of the signs of the Saved Sect is that they will hold tightly onto what the Messenger of Allaah,
sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, was upon and what his Companions were upon. So whosoever holds tightly onto
them, then he is certainly upon the guidance from his Lord.

And furthermore, it is an ascription that brings honor to the one that ascribes himself to it, and one that
facilitates for him the way of the Saved Sect. And these matters do not apply to anyone that ascribes himself
to any other ascription, since they are not free from one of two things. Either it is an ascription to a specific
individual that is not infallible or it is an ascription to a group of people who follow the methodology of this
individual who is not infallible. So there is no infallibility (in their ascriptions) either way. On the opposite of
this, there is the infallibility of the companions of the Prophet, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, (as a whole). And
it is that which we have been commanded to hold tightly onto, from his Sunnah and the Sunnah of his
Companions after him.

And we must persist and strongly emphasize that our understanding of Allaah's Book and the Sunnah of his
Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, be in accordance with the methodology of his, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam, Companions. This is so that we can be upon infallibility, as opposed to inclining away towards the right
or the left, or deviating with an understanding that comes solely from ourselves, of which there is not found in
the Book of Allaah or the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, that which provides evidence
for it.

Furthermore, why is it not sufficient for us to ascribe ourselves to (just) the Qur'aan and the Sunnah? The
reason goes back to two matters, the first of which is related to the religious texts, and the second of which is
due to the appearance of numerous Islaamic groups.

With regard to the first reason, then we find in the religious texts, a command to obey something else in
connection with the Qur'aan and the Sunnah, as is found in Allaah's saying:

"And obey Allaah and obey His Messenger and those in authority over you."

So if there were someone in authority, who was given the oath of allegiance by the Muslims, it would be
obligatory to obey him just as it would be obligatory to obey the Qur'aan and the Sunnah. This is in spite of
him, as well as those around him, committing errors. So it would be obligatory to obey him in order to repel the
harm of differences of opinions. And this is with the well-known condition: "There is no obedience to the
creation in disobeying the Creator." [2]

And Allaah, may He be Exalted, says:
"And whosoever opposes the Messenger after the guidance has been clearly explained to him, and
he follows a way other than the way of the believers, We will turn him to what he has chosen and
burn him in Hell – what an evil destination." [Surah An-Nisaa: 115]

Indeed, Allaah, Mighty and Sublime, is free and far removed from all imperfections and defects. And there is no
doubt or uncertainty that His mentioning of "the way of the believers" here, is only due to an immense and
comprehensive wisdom and benefit. So it indicates that there is an important obligation – and it is that our
following of the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, must be in
accordance with what the first Muslims were upon. And they are the Companions of Allaah's Messenger,
sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, then those who came after them, then those who came after them. And this is
what the da'wat-us-salafiyyah (The Salafee Call) invites and calls to. And it is that which is its main priority in
the foundation of its call and the methodology of its educating process.

Indeed, the Salafee Call truly unites the ummah, while any other call only causes division to the ummah.
Allaah, Mighty and Sublime, says:

"O you who believe, fear Allaah, and be with the truthful." [Surah At-Tawbah: 119]

So anyone that makes a distinction between the Book and the Sunnah from one perspective and between the
Salaf As-Saalih (Righteous Predecessors) from another perspective, then he can never be truthful.

As for with regard to the second reason, then the groups and parties of today do not direct at all towards the
following of “the Way of the Believers”, which has been mentioned in the ayah. And there are some ahaadeeth,
which further confirm and support that ayah, such as the hadeeth of the seventy-three sects. All of them will be
in the Hellfire except one. The Messenger of Allaah, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, described them as: "The
one which is upon the same thing that I and my companions are upon today." [As-Saheehah: no. 203 &
1492]

This hadeeth resembles that ayah which mentions the “Way of the Believers”. Also, there is the hadeeth of
Al-'Irbaad Ibn Saariyah, radyAllaahu 'anhu, in which he, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: "So stick to my
Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khaleefahs after me." [Irwaa-ul-Ghaleel: no. 2455] So
therefore, there are two Sunnahs: The Sunnah of the Messenger, sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, and the Sunnah
of the righteous Khaleefahs.

So there is no doubt that we – us who come in a later time – we must return back to the Qur'aan, the Sunnah
and the Way of the Believers. And it is not permissible for us to say: "We can understand the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah by themselves, without turning towards what the righteous predecessors were upon."

There must be an ascription in this time that distinguishes and is detailed. So it is not sufficient for us to say, "I
am a Muslim" only! Or "My madh-hab is Islaam":O For every sect says that! – the Raafidee, the Ibaadee, the
Qadyianee, as well as other sectarians!! So what is it that distinguishes you from them?

And if you were to say, "I am a Muslim who is upon the Qur'aan and the Sunnah", this would also not be
sufficient. This is because, the members of these sects – of the Ash'arees and the Matureedees and the
Hizbees – they all claim to follow these two sources also. So there is no doubt that the clear, plain, distinctive
and decisive classification is to say, "I am a Muslim who is upon the Qur'aan and the Sunnah and upon the
methodology of the Salaf As-Saalih (Pious Predecessors). And that can be said in short by saying, "I am a
Salafee."

So based on this, indeed the truth which is unavoidable, is that it is not enough to rely on the Qur'aan and the
Sunnah without the methodology of the Salaf, for it explains these two with regard to understanding and
concept, knowledge and action, and da'wah (calling) and Jihaad.

And we know that they (the Sahaabah), may Allaah be pleased with them, did not used to fanatically cling onto
one specific madh-hab or to one specific individual. So there was not found amongst them he who was Bakree
(a follower of Abu Bakr), or 'Umaree (a follower of 'Umar), or 'Uthmaanee (a follower of 'Uthmaan) or 'Alawee (a
follower of 'Alee). Rather, if it were more easy for one of them to ask Abu Bakr or 'Umar or Abu Hurairah, he
would ask any of them. This is because they believed that it was not permissible to have total and unrestricted
devotion in following, except to one individual. Indeed, he was the Messenger of Allaah sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa
sallam, the one who did not speak from his own desire, rather it was only revelation revealed to him.

And if we were to submit to these criticizers, for the sake of argument, that we would name ourselves "Muslims"
only, without ascribing ourselves to the Salaf – in spite of it being an honorable and correct ascription. Would
they abandon classifying themselves with the names of their parties or their madh-habs or their ways – based
on the fact that they are not prescribed in the Religion nor are they correct?

"So this contrast between us is enough for you
And every container becomes wet due to what is in it."

And Allaah is the Guide to the Right Path. And He, free is He from all defects, is the One in whom we seek
assistance.




Footnotes:

[1] Saheeh Muslim: no. 2450
[2] See Silsilat-ul-Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah: no. 179

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