Who and What are the Salaf?

[ENDURE4ALLAH]

Following the way of the Salaf is the way which has been legislated in the Quran and Sunnah, the very sources of Islam. The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said to his daughter Fatimah: "Indeed, I am for you a blessed Salaf."

When asked about which was the correct and acceptable way of understanding Islam, the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) replied by saying: "That which I and my companions are upon."

Similarly, Allah says in the Quran that He is pleased with the companions "and also those who follow them exactly (in faith)."

As such, He said regarding the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him security) and his companions:

"So if they believe as you (i.e. the Salaf) believe, they are indeed rightly guided."

All of the orthodox scholars of Islam followed the way of the Salaf in understanding religion. Early scholars such as Imam al-Awzaa'ee, who died 157 years after the Prophet's emigration to Medina, said: "Be patient upon the Sunnah, and stop where the people (i.e. the Salaf) stopped, and say what they said, and refrain from what they refrained from, and follow the path of your righteous Salaf; for verily, sufficient for you is what was sufficient for them."

Today, one of the famous Sunni schools of jurisprudence is named after a scholar named Abu Haneefah. Millions of Muslims all over the world ascribe themselves to his school of jurisprudence; those who the media would term "mainstream" Muslims. Regarding adherence to the Salafi methodology, he said, "Adhere to the narrations and way of the Salaf, and beware of newly invented matters (in religion), for all of it is innovation."

The orthodox scholars who came after these early generations also followed the understanding of the Salaf in religious matters. Imam ath-Thahabi said: "It is authentically related from ad-Daraqutni (a scholar from approximately 1,000 years ago) that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetoric). I (adh-Thahabee) say: The man never entered into ’ilmul-kalaam, nor did he enter into argumentation (i.e. philosophy), he did not delve into that. Rather, he was Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)."

The present day scholars who stick to the mainstream understanding of Islam also ascribe themselves to the way of the Salaf. Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan is considered to be one of the most knowledgeable of scholars alive today. Regarding Salafism, he made the following remark: "It is not a party from amongst the various parties… Hence Salafism is a group of people who are upon the way of the Salaf, upon what the Messenger (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) and his Companions were upon; and it is not a party from amongst the contemporary groups present today."

The media claim that Salafis/"Wahhabis" believe that all those who do not follow their form of Islam are heathens" is a tall tale. Salafis believe that those Muslims who do not follow the understanding of the Salaf are not adhering to these and other clear texts. As such, they do not fall under the above-mentioned Quranic verse as being "rightly guided." Salafis distinguish between those who fall into religious innovation and those who fall into disbelief.

When considering the proofs which are contained within the Quran and Sunnah and the statements of all the orthodox scholars of Islam from the earliest generations to the present time, it becomes obvious that it is a great blunder for the media to refer to Salafism as being a new movement called "Wahhabism" which came about only two centuries ago during the time of Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhab in Saudi Arabia.

"So after the truth, what else can there be, save error?" [Quran 10:32]

[MiSs_aaqli]

SALAAM ALYKUM WARAHMATULAH WA BARAKATU.

may allah reward you inshallah.
i understand what your saying but inshallah, our belevoved prophet s.a.w said follow my sunnah, not my 'salaf' so inshallah these sects or madhabs are something that came after, and rasullah s.a.w explained that his ummah will divide into 73 sects and only one will earn paradise. and Allah s.w.t tells us in the quran not to be divided amung ourselfs.
and allah knows best but inshallah, what your explaining is your personal belief inshallah not a 'title' we were ordered to follow.
surely following the way of the prophet s.a.w and his companions is something we should do. and allah knows best what is in our hearts, no need to name our selfs to seperate. Because ALLAH s.wt called us MUSLIMS.
j'kair.

[ENDURE4ALLAH]

Asalama Alaikum Dear sister...

I am not trying to promote anything dear sister...The only correct form of Islam is the way of the Salaf= the understanding of islam followed by the Prophet and his companions...
The term Salaf is not something new no it has always been there but in today's socity with so many sect one has to aknowledge that the way of the Salaf is Sunni...there is no difference...we follow the way of the Salaf-the companions of the Prophet (saw)
Basicallay the Deen as understood and followed by them for they were the closest to the prophet (saw)

go to www.salafipublications.com

[ENDURE4ALLAH]

Its always to come across someone who has never encountered the term Salafi.

I strongly recommend that you do reseach inshallah and then you will see that Salaf is not a sect it is the only correct form as we adhere strictly to the Sunnah and the Quran, with no innovation!.

Have you ever heard of Sheik Albanii (rahimullah)??

[ENDURE4ALLAH]

And we do not call ourselves salaf...just muslim but when asked we say that we adhere to the Salaf methology.

So i think you misunderstood inshallah.

[The_Emperior5]

saxiiix ibn salaaxiya


I i am a sufi

ia am against all wahabis who forbid watching footbaall and woman driving car

[tWiStED_aNgELL]

a lot of information to take in im styll kinda confused but thanx

[BaByGaL_8701]

I Think Salafee People are Too extreme and Strict. Some Of Lecturer Are Scary They could scare the living out of you,, no lie.

[toby]

ASALAMU ALYKUM

THE SALAFI WAY OF TEACHING IS THE RITE WAY AS THEY WILL TEACH YOU THE BASIC PRINCIPLE OF THE DEEN

'TO BUILD A HOUSE U MUST HAVE FOUNDATION' THE HOUSE IS THE HUMAN AND THE LEGS TO STAND ON ARE TAWHEED

IN ISLAM THE FOUNDATION IS TAWHEED IF U DONT KNOW TAWHEED THEN U WILL BE LOST AS ISLAM IS BUILT ON THIS PRINCIPLE IT COVERS EVERYTHING U NEED TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR LORD

[toby]

ASALAMU ALYKUM

THIS IS FOR THE SUFI BROTHER VERILY U SHULD THINK WHAT AQEEDAH U FOLLOW

AS Allaah the Exalted: ‘‘Verily those whom you call upon besides Allaah do not hear your calls. And if they were able to hear you, then they would not be able to answer you. And upon the Day of Judgement, they will disown your worship of them, and there is none like He who is the All-Knower.” [Sooratul-Faatir 14]

AND WE ALL KNOW SUFI'S CALL UPON THE DEAD

THIS IS FROM SHIEK SALIH AL FAWZAAN
And we prohibit you from the innovations of the Soofiyyah which many of the common folk of the Muslims have erected to (such) an educational level that whole countries have institutionalized these innovations, such as the celebration of the Birthday of the Prophet. And (innovations such as) accompanying the Christians in their festivals, not to mention the deviations in dealings and manners and other than that from that which separates their countries from the Book and the authenticated Sunnah, with the permission of Allaah, the Mighty and Majestic.

[Abdi_westldn]

May Allah guide us.

[ENDURE4ALLAH]

Asalama Alaikum Toby...finally a Brother who knows what i am talking about!

Why do somali's often believe in Lies about the Salaf??

Indeed they know not...

Mashallah Brother keep up the Good Work inshallah.

[MujahidaFiSabililah]

Asalamu Alaykum

We do not think bad of salafs astaqfurllah who would? Me personally and maybe a few other do not believe you should name yourself 'salafi', the salfs followed which character? The chracter of nabi sallahu alayhi wasalaam, so then why should we fully devout ourselves to have similar personal traits of the salafs and not FIRSTLY our nabi sallahu alayhi wasalaam.

Given yourselves the name 'salafi' makes that one more extra division in our ummah.

I advise you not to come on this forum promoting 'salafi'. But authentic qur'an and sunnah FIRST before any salafi stuff. JazakAllah

Walaykum Salaam

[MiSs_aaqli]

SALAAM ALYKUM,
MujahidaFiSabililah BRO OR SIS, J'KAIR YOU UNDERSTAND RIGHT. MASHALLAH THE SALAF WERE PIOUS GOD FEARING PEOPLE AND THEY FOLLOWED THE QURAN AND SUNNAH TO ITS BEST FORM POSSIABLE AND ALHAMDULILAH WE AS MUSLIMS SHOULD BE DOING THAT, BUT INSHALLAH WE ARE FOLLOWING THE WAY OF THE SUNNAH WHICH SHOULD BE THE WAY OF THE SALAF 'PROPHET S.A.W AND HIS COMPANIONS BUT WHO SAID THAT WE MUST CALL OURSELVES SALAFI?...ITS JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL SUFIS, THEY MASHALLAH WERE PISIOUS PEOPLE IN THEIR TIME BUT WHO TOLD THEM TO CALL THEMSELVES THAT, YET THEY CHANGED AND DISTORTED. SUBHANALLAH, WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE QUR'AN AND SUNNAH AS STATED IN THE QUR'AN SURELY ALLAH S.W.T KNOWS BEST OUR INTENSION, Y DO U NEED TO CLARIFY IT AND SPREAD IT 2 PEOPLE?....INSHALLAH, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE DAWAH TO A PEOPLE YOU MUST SEE THEIR WEAKNESSES FIRST, FOR SOME PEOPLE IN THIS FORM ITS THE BASIC FIVE PILLARS IN ISLAM. AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD COME AFTER, NO OFFECE TO THE POST MAKER, BUT YOU SEEM TO BE PROMTING, BECAREFUL IT COULD LEAD TO PRIDE. BUT ALLAH S.W.T KNOWS BEST.
ALLAH CALLED US MUSLIMS, AND ORDERED US TO FOLLOW HIS MESSENGER S.A.W SUNNAH AND MAY WE DIE UPON THAT INSHALLAH. SO WHATEVER METHODOLGY AND FIGH FROM OUR BELOVED IMANS MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH THEM, IS JUST A SOURCE OF GUIDENCE. AND ALLAH KNOWS BEST
SALAAM ALKUYM WB

[MiSs_aaqli]

SALAAM ALYKUM,
MujahidaFiSabililah BRO OR SIS, J'KAIR YOU UNDERSTAND RIGHT. MASHALLAH THE SALAF WERE PIOUS GOD FEARING PEOPLE AND THEY FOLLOWED THE QURAN AND SUNNAH TO ITS BEST FORM POSSIABLE AND ALHAMDULILAH WE AS MUSLIMS SHOULD BE DOING THAT, BUT INSHALLAH WE ARE FOLLOWING THE WAY OF THE SUNNAH WHICH SHOULD BE THE WAY OF THE SALAF 'PROPHET S.A.W AND HIS COMPANIONS BUT WHO SAID THAT WE MUST CALL OURSELVES SALAFI?...ITS JUST LIKE THE ORIGINAL SUFIS, THEY MASHALLAH WERE PISIOUS PEOPLE IN THEIR TIME BUT WHO TOLD THEM TO CALL THEMSELVES THAT, YET THEY CHANGED AND DISTORTED. SUBHANALLAH, WE SHOULD FOLLOW THE QUR'AN AND SUNNAH AS STATED IN THE QUR'AN SURELY ALLAH S.W.T KNOWS BEST OUR INTENSION, Y DO U NEED TO CLARIFY IT AND SPREAD IT 2 PEOPLE?....INSHALLAH, IF YOU WANT TO GIVE DAWAH TO A PEOPLE YOU MUST SEE THEIR WEAKNESSES FIRST, FOR SOME PEOPLE IN THIS FORM ITS THE BASIC FIVE PILLARS IN ISLAM. AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD COME AFTER, NO OFFECE TO THE POST MAKER, BUT YOU SEEM TO BE PROMTING, BECAREFUL IT COULD LEAD TO PRIDE. BUT ALLAH S.W.T KNOWS BEST.
ALLAH CALLED US MUSLIMS, AND ORDERED US TO FOLLOW HIS MESSENGER S.A.W SUNNAH AND MAY WE DIE UPON THAT INSHALLAH. SO WHATEVER METHODOLGY AND FIQH FROM OUR BELOVED IMANS MAY ALLAH BE PLEASED WITH THEM, IS JUST A SOURCE OF GUIDENCE. AND ALLAH KNOWS BEST
SALAAM ALKUYM WB