In Islaam when we hear the word Salafi; what does zis realy mean?

Answer 1

Insha'Allah, this question and answer article should help:

QUESTION

Please I would like to know if there is anything wrong with not subscribing to a math-hab. I learn from both the Salafees and Sunnees (ie. I try to adhere to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah) but I don't like to claim either of the two because I fear that pride that might grow in me and cause me to avoid the truth if it comes from another source. In other words, I don't want to be like some people who follow a math-hab and don't want to change when the proof is against them. Please advise me.

ANSWER

by Shaykh Muhammad 'Umar Baazmool, instructor at Umm Al-Quraa University in Makkah
This question requires that we clarify some issues first. In the first part of the question, it seems the questioner is asking about blindly following math-habs. Then, the questioner refers to the following of a general manhaj, one that includes the math-habs of Fiqh and others, called the Salafee manhaj, or Sunnee (manhaj).

Then, he makes a distinction between a Salafee and a Sunnee, while the Salafee is the who who follows the Sunnah of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam), the one he was upon as understood by the Salaf, may Allaah have Mercy on them. So every Salafee is a Sunnee, and every Sunnee is a Salafee most definitely, if we are using the word "Sunnee" with its proper meaning.

His statement in the question, "I learn from both the Salafees and Sunnees," seems to make a distinction between the Salafee Muslims and the Sunnees. It can be understood from this that the questioner does not understand that Salafiyyah and Sunniyyah are the same thing, and that every Salafee is a Sunnee and every Sunnee is a Salafee...

[ Someone interrupts, "Or it could be that they are learning from Sunnees, meaning the Soofees that claim they are Sunnees, saying, 'We are Ahlus-Sunnah...'" ]

...So there seems to be some confusion about these names... if it is the case that some Soofees are saying that they are the Sunnees while they are actually Soofees, then this is a big form of deception that must be warned against. [1]

Anyway, let me rephrase the question and then answer it.
Is the Muslim obliged to follow a Fiqh math-hab? And is the Muslim obliged to follow Salafiyyah, or should he follow the manhaj of other groups and parties... like the manhaj of the Tableeghees, the Soofees, the Ikhwaanees, the Tahreerees, etc.?

So then as for the Muslim following a Fiqh math-hab, like the Hanafee math-hab, the Maalikee math-hab, the Shaafi'ee math-hab, or the Hambalee math-hab, I say: The basic ruling regarding this affair is that a Muslim is not required to follow any of these four math-habs.

The Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam ) only called the people to follow the Book and the Sunnah. And he clarified to them that they must understand the Book and the Sunnah as he and his Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) understood it. He also emphasized that we follow the rightly-guided khaleefahs. This remained the case all the way to the era of the four imaams of Fiqh and others. There was never any obligation for the Muslim to follow any of these four math-habs.

So then, based on this, I say that the correct position is that Islaam does not require the Muslim to follow one of the four math-habs. And this is clear, in shaa' Allaah.

However, I say: The Muslim should evaluate himself. If he finds that he has reached the level of ijtihaad and he can look into the evidences, then he must look into the evidences and follow what is clear to him from the evidences, whether the evidence contradicts the Hanafee, Maalikee, Shaafi'ee or Hambalee math-hab. There is no harm in that, as the important thing is that he follows the evidence.
However, if a Muslim is not able to look into the evidences and make ijtihaad, then it is obligatory on him to ask the people of knowledge, those known for their adherence to the Book and the Sunnah in light of the understanding of the righteous Salaf. This is based on Allaah's Statement [2]:
( Then ask the people of knowledge if you do not know )

Therefore, the common Muslim who is not able to look into the evidences and make ijtihaad must ask the people of knowledge, and to learn the affairs of his Religion he needs from them, without restricting himself to a specific math-hab. Thus, the scholars say, "The math-hab of the common Muslim is the math-hab of the one who gives him his fatwaa."

One last thing before I address the other topic: In our time and in the times before us, there are and were great scholars who ascribe to math-habs, while, in reality, they followed the evidences. Their ascription to their math-hab only came because they studied that math-hab specifically, or that it was the one that was common in their land. Thus, they have been given the ascription to the math-hab, not because they were blind followers.

So it is said about Ibn Taymiyyah, for example, that he was a Hambalee, and the reality was that he followed the evidences. It is said about Ibn Al-Qayyim that he was a Hambalee, too, and the reality was that he followed the evidences. It is also said that Ibn Hajr was a Shaafi'ee, and the reality was that he followed the evidences. It is said about Al-Laknawee that he was a Hanafee, and the reality was that he followed the evidences. And it is said about Shaykh Bin Baaz and Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen that they were Hambalees, and the reality is that they followed the evidences. It is said that Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ibraaheem was a Hambalee, and the reality is that he followed the evidences. It is said that Shaykh Al-Fawzaan is a Hambalee, and the reality is that he follows the evidences.

The manhaj of all of these great scholars is to give verdicts according to the evidence. When the evidence came to them, they followed it. If they did not have the evidence, then they would give a verdict according to their math-hab. They would clarify the ruling of on something based on their math-hab.

So this is a very important point to pay attention to when we talk about adhering to a math-hab.

We do not say that everyone must be mujtahids and follow the evidences. Without a doubt, the common people are not able to make ijtihaad and look into the evidences. We also do not say that everyone must follow a specific math-hab and follow it. Rather, what we say is that whoever is able to look into the evidences and draw his rulings from them, then he must make ijtihaad, looking into the evidences and following them.

And his status of being someone who make ijtihaad and looks into the evidences does not prevent him from being ascribed to a math-hab that he studied, or one that was common in his land, or one that he sees as being the closest to the truth in general when he is not able to derive a ruling himself from the evidences. This does not harm someone who is from those who can make ijtihaad and follow the evidences.

As for the one who does not reach this level, then he must ask the people of knowledge, as Allaah the Exalted says [2]:

( Then ask the people of knowledge if you do not know )

When he asks, he should try his best to make sure that the one he is asking is from the people of knowledge, and he should not specify that the one he asks be ascribed to a certain math-hab. Rather, he must follow what the scholar giving him his verdict says, so long as he is upon evidence, and Allaah knows best.

As for the second part of the question that is related to ascribing oneself to the manhaj of one of the so-called "movements" as they are calling them, I say that the Muslim is obliged to ascribe to the Salafee/Sunnee manhaj. Moreover, I say that Islaam, true Islaam, is just that. It is to follow what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions were upon. It is to understand the Religion in light of the understanding of the righteous predecessors. So then the Muslim is indeed required to follow this methodology.
It is not permissible for the Muslim to abandon what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and the Companions were upon for any reason whatsoever.

Therefore, this is the manhaj, the straight path by which a person reaches salvation on the Day of Standing, in shaa' Allaah. The Messenger (sallallaah 'alayhe wa sallam) said,

"The Jews split into 71 sects, and the Christians split into 72 sects. My nation is going to split into 73 sects, and all of them will be in the Hellfire except one."

It was said, "Who are they, O Messenger of Allaah?" He replied,

"They those who are upon what I and my Companions are upon." [3]
This is what the Salafee manhaj is. It is the following of the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions. So then can we say to the new Muslim, "You are not required to follow this manhaj"? No! Rather we say, "Your Islaam will never be true, sound Islaam, free of innovations and mistakes, unless you follow this manhaj, unless you follow what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions were upon."

Whoever opposes what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions were upon is from the people of differing, and he is included in the 72 groups. He is still a Muslim, however he is subject to the threat mentioned in the hadeeth - that "All of them will be in the Hellfire except one."

When I say, "He is subject to the threat mentioned in the hadeeth," I mean that he is subject to the Will of Allaah. If Allaah wants, He punishes them; if He wants, He forgives them.

Due to his opposition to what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions were upon, then he can only be in one of two categories: (1) his contradiction leads him outside of the Religion, thus he is from the disbelievers; or (2) his contradiction does not expel him from the Religion, thus he is from the people of disobedience and innovation, and thus from the 72 groups that are subject to punishment, and Allaah knows best.

So, with this, we have differentiated between the issue of following a Fiqh math-hab and the issue of following the Salafee manhaj. So the Muslim is not required to follow one of the math-habs. But as for following the Salafee manhaj, meaning to understand the Religion in light of what the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alayhe wa sallam) and his Companions were upon, to follow the way of the Salaf, I say that this is the true Islaam. Whoever goes away from this, he only goes away from the true Islaam. And his departure from true Islaam is either a departure from the Religion in totality, or a deviation from the straight path that makes him from the people of innovation, disobedience, and error, and thus is considered to be from the 72 groups, and Allaah knows best.

FOOTNOTES
[1] And this is the case with many of the deviant groups of today. They try to make a distinction between Salafiyyah and Ahlus-Sunnah, saying that Salafiyyah is a new sect or math-hab different from Ahlus-Sunnah. In reality, they are one in the same as the shaykh explains. This confusion comes from many different groups, like the Tableeghees, the Naqshabaandees, and other Soofee groups. While they claim that they are Ahlus-Sunnah, they are actually people of innovation far from the Sunnah.
[2] the meaning of Soorah An-Nahl (16):43
[3] From an authentic hadeeth collected by Aboo Daawood, At-Tirmithee, Ibn Maajah, and others. Al-Albaanee discusses its different chains and wordings in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethis-Saheehah (203-204).

Why Manhaj?

Manhaj means: The methodology of implementing the beliefs and laws of Islam.

The Salaf us-Saalih are distinguished for their adherence to the methodological principles outlined in the Book of Allaah, the Sunnah of His Messenger and the practice of the Companions.

Thus, in the arena of Aqeedah (creed) the Salaf us-Saalih follow a particular methodology, which is opposed to that of other than them, such as the Ash'arees, the Mu'tazilah and their likes whose hallmark is to raise the intellect and kalaam (theological rhetoric) over the texts of the Book and the Sunnah and the well-known sayings of the Imaams of this ummah.

Similarly, in the arena of Ibaadah (worship), the Salaf us-Saalih adhere to a methodology opposed to that of the intoxicated Soofees and Grave worshippers, who invent and innovate into the religion that for which Allaah sent down no authority.

Similarly, in the arena of Da'wah (calling to Allaah) and current affairs, the Salaf us-Saalih are distinguished from the innovated and pretentious methodologies of the political activists, who under the guise of following the Salaf and the contemporary Ulamaa, rouse the emotions and sentiments of the common-folk, take them away from the firmly established scholars and merely call to themselves.

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan - may Allaah preserve him - said, The reasons for disunity are many. From amongst the main causes are: Firstly, opposing the Manhaj (methodology) of the Salaf, the Companions of Allaah's Messenger and those who follow them. So the Salaf had a Manhaj that they adhered to; a Manhaj in aqeedah (creed), a Manhaj in da'wah (calling to Allaah), a Manhaj in enjoining good and forbidding evil, a Manhaj in how to judge between people. This Manhaj, in all situations, was based upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of our Messenger . [Wujoob ut-Tathabbut fil-Akhbaaar p.18]


The Salaf and their Position Towards The People of Innovations & Desires By Imaam al-Laalikaa'ee

Al-Imaam al-Hafiz Abul-Qaasim Habatullaah ibn al-Hasan ibn Mansoor at-Tabaree Al-Laalikaa'ee (d.418 H) reports in his ' Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah ' (1/135-136/no. 252)

"Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Qasim related to us, saying : Ahmad ibn al-Hasan narrated to us saying : Sulaymaan ibn al-Asha'ath narrated to us, saying : Abdullaah ibn Chubby al-Antique narrated to us, saying : Yaws ibn Asbaat narrated to us, saying : *I heard Muhammad ibn an-Nadr al-Haarithee say: "Whoever listens to a person of innovation - and knows that he is a person of innovation - then protection is taken away from him, and he is left to himself." and Imaam Aboo 'Abdullaah ibn Muhammad Ibn Battah al-'Akbaree al-Hanbalee (d. 387 H) reports it in his 'Ibaanatul-Kubra' (2/460/no.443):

"Abul-Qaasim Hafs ibn 'Umar narrated to us, saying: Aboo Haatim ar-Raazee narrated to us, saying : Muhammad ibn 'Ubaadah ibn al-Bakhtaree narrated to us, saying: 'Ubaadah ibn Kulayb Aboo Ghassan al-Laythee narrated to us : *from Muhammad ibn an-Nadr al-Haarithee, who said: "Whoever listens to a person of innovation and knows that he is a person of innovation - then he is left to himself and leaves the protection of Allaah."

adh-Dhahabee said of him in 'Siyar A'laamin-Nubalaa' (8/175-176) : "Muhammad ibn an-Nadr, Aboo 'Abdur -Rahman, al-Haarithee, al-Koofee: The worshipper of the people of his time in koofah. He reported from al-Awzaa'ee and others. From him (report): Ibn Mahdee, Khaalid ibn Yazeed, Jareer ibn Ziyaad & Aboo Nasr at-Tammar - some sayings. Aboo Usaamah said : "He was one of the greatest worshippers in Koofah."

And 'Abdul-Quddoos ibn Bakr narrated from Muhammad ibn an-Nadr that he said : "The greatest start of Knowledge is to listen and remain silent, then to memorise it, then to act upon it, then to spread it."

Ibn al-Mubaarak said : "When Muhammad ibn an-Nadr used to mention death his joints would tremble."

And from Abul-Ahwas who said : "Muhammad ibn an-Nadr made a promise upon himself that he would not sleep unless his eye became overcome with sleep."

Muhammad Ibn Battah also reports in 'al-Ibaantul-Kubra' (2/461/no.444): "Abul-Qaasim Hafs ibn 'Umar narrated to us, saying : Aboo Haatim narrated to us, saying : *ibn Ibraheem an-Neesaabooree narrated to us, saying : Checker said: * Unclear in manuscript
al-Husayn ibn ar-Rabee' narrated to us, saying : Yahyaa ibn 'Umar ath-Thaqafee narrated to us, that he heard : Sufyaan Ath-Thawree say ; "Whoever listens to a person of innovation leaves the protection of Allaah and is left to himself. "

Beware of friendship with the people of the innovated sects, innovated beliefs and people of deviation, beware of sitting with them and beware of listening to them or hearing or reading their words, beware of debating with them and arguing with them - and allowing them to quote their misguided beliefs to you. Imam al-Laalikaa'ee mentions a large number of narration's from the Salaf warning against associating with the people of innovation in his 'Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlis-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah' - here are some of them (chains of narration omitted):-

(31)...from Ayyoob (as-Sakhtiyaanee) who said: "Indeed from the well-being of a youth or a non-Arab is that Allah should guide them to a scholar from the companions of the Sunnah."

(32) ... from Ibn Shawdhab who said : "Indeed from the blessings of Allah upon a youth who seeks to worship Allah is that he is granted as a brother a companion of the Sunnah who encourages him upon it."

(196)... from 'Abdur-Rahman ibn Yazeed who said : I heard 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood say: "Beware of the innovations which the people invent, since the Deen does not pass out of the hearts all at once - rather Shaytaan introduces innovations for him until he expels Eemaan from the heart; and it will soon happen that the people will abandon the obligatory duties which Allaah has made binding upon them - the Prayer, the Fast, the lawful and the prohibited, and speak about their Lord - the Mighty and Majestic. So who ever reaches that time then let him flee." It was said: O Aboo Abdur-Rahman, to where? He said: "Not to anywhere, he should flee with his heart and his Deen and not sit with anyone of the people of Innovation."

(199)...From Mujaahid who said: "It was said to Ibn Umar that Najdah says so and so ..., but he stopped himself from hearing it for fear that some of it would fall into his heart."

(240)...From Al-Hasan [i.e. Al-Basaree] who used to say: "Do not sit with the people of innovated beliefs, do not debate with them and do not listen to them."

(242)...(From) Sa'eed ibn 'Aamir who said: I heard Ismaa'eel [i.e. Ibn Khaarijah] narrate, saying: two men from the people of the innovated sects came to Muhammad Ibn Seereen and said: "O Aboo Bakr we want to narrate something to you." He said: "No." They said: "Then may we recite an Aayah from Allaah's book to you?" He said: "No." He said: "Either you two get up and leave or I will get up." So the two men stood up and left. So one of the people said: "What harm would it do to you for him to recite an Aayah?" He said: "I hated that he should recite an Aayah and that they would distort it and then it would enter my heart."

(244)...From Aboo Qulaabah who said: "Do not sit with them and do not mix with them for I do not feel safe that they will not drown you in their misguidance and confuse you about much that you used to know."

(246)...From Ayyoob as-Sakhtiyaanee who said: Aboo Qulaabah said to me "O Ayyoob, memorise four things from me:
-Do not speak about the Qur'ân from your opinion, and
-Beware of Qadr, and
-If the companions of Muhammad (saws) are mentioned then withhold, and
-Do not let the people of innovation gain access to your hearing."

(248)...Ma'mar said: Ibn Taawoos was sitting when one of the Mu'tazilah came and began speaking, so Ibn Taawoos entered his fingers into his ears and said to his son: "O My son put your fingers into your ears and press tightly so you do not hear any of his speech." Ma'mar said: Meaning that the heart is weak.

(249)...'Abdur Razzaaq narrated to us saying: Ibraaheem ibn Abee Yahya said to me: "I think that there are many from the Mu'tazilah in your area!?" I said: "Yes and they claim that you are one of them." He said: "Will you enter this shop with me so that I can speak with you?" I said: "No." He said: "Why?!" I said: "Since the heart is weak and the Deen is not for the one who overcomes in debating."

(251)...From Al-Awzaa'ee who said: 'Umar ibn 'Abdul 'Azeez said: "If you see a people meeting secretly concerning the Deen with anything to the exclusion of the common people - then know that they are upon the foundation of Misguidance."

(252)...Yoosaf ibn Asbaat said: I heard Muhammad Ibn An - Nadral - Haarithee say: "Whoever lends ear to an innovator - and knows that he is an innovator then the protection is removed form him and he is left to himself."

(253)...Yoonus ibn ' Ubayd said: "Do not sit with a ruler or an innovator ."

(254)...Amad ibn Yoonus said: A man said to Sufyaan - and I was listening - 'O Aboo' Abdullaah advice me.' He said: "Beware of innovated sects and disputation and beware of rulers."

(259)...Yahyaa ibn Abee Katheer said: "If you see a person of innovation upon a certain road then take a different one."

(260)...Ismaa'eel at Toosee said: Ibn al-Mubaarak said to me: "let your sitting be with the poor and beware of sitting with a person of innovation."

(261)...al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "Whichever man someone comes to asking for advice and he directs him to an innovator then he has acted deceitfully towards Islam, and beware of entering upon a person of innovation since they prevent from the truth."

(262)...al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said; "Do not sit with an innovator for I fear that curses will descend upon you."

(263)...al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "Do not sit with an innovator - Allaah has rendered his deeds futile and taken out the light of Islaam from his heart, and if Allaah loves a servant he grants him good and pure food."

(264)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said : "Do not trust the innovator concerning your Deen, and do not seek his advice in your affairs, and do not sit with him since whoever sits with an innovator - Allah will cause him to become blind."

(265)...al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "Allah has angels who seek out the gatherings of dhikr - so look to whose gathering you sit in - let it not be with the person of innovation since Allah will not look to them, and the sign of Hypocrisy is that a man gets up and sits with an innovator."

(266)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "The souls of pre-arranged armies - so whichever of them knew each other will come together, and those who did not will be separate, " and it is not possible that a person of Sunnah assists an innovator except due to hypocrisy."

(267)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "I reached the best of the people - all of them were people of the Sunnah and they warned against the people of innovation."

(268)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "Glad tidings for one who died upon Islaam and the Sunnah - and if that is the case then let one say much : As Allah wills (Maa Shaa Allah)."

(270)... al Hasan said: "From the person of innovation Allah does not accept Prayer, nor Fasting, nor Hajj, nor 'Umrah, nor Jihaad, nor Repentance, nor Charity."

(271)... al Hasan said: "Allah does not accept anything from a person of innovation."

(272)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: "No action of the person of innovation is raised up to Allaah."

(273)... Ibraaheem ibn Maysarah said: "He who honours an innovator has assisted in the demolition of Islaam."

(274)... 'Abdullaah ibn 'Umar as-Sarkhusee - the scholar of al-Khazar - said: I ate a single meal with an innovator and Ibn al-Mubaarak heard of it so he said : "I will not speak to him for thirty days."

(275)... al-Fudayl ibn 'Iyaad said: Ibn al-Mubaarak said: "I have not seen any wealth which I despise more than that of a person of innovation and he said: 'O Allah do not let any innovator give me anything so that my heart should love him"

(276)... from Ibraaheem [i.e. an-Nakha'ee] who said: "There is no backbiting regarding an innovator."

(278)... from al-Hasan al-Basaree, who said: "There are three who have no inviolability with regard to backbiting: one of them is the person of innovation who calls to his innovation."

(281)... from Katheer, Aboo Sahl who said: "It is said that there is no inviolability for the people of innovated sects."

(284)... from 'Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak said: "The person of innovation has darkness in his face even if he anoints it thirty times a day."

(286)... Sallaam ibn Abee Mutee' said: a man said to Ayyoob: 'O Abu Bakr, 'Amr ibn 'Ubayd has turned back from his opinion !!' He said: "He has not turned back." He said: 'Indeed, O Aboo Bakr, he has turned back." Ayyoob said: "He has not turned back - (three times) - he has not turned back. Have you not heard his (saw) saying: "They shoot out from the Deen just as the arrow shoots through the prey, then they do not return to it until the arrow returns to the bow string".

(290)... Ayyoob used to call all the people of the innovated sects 'Khawaarij' and say : "The Khawaarij have different names but are all united upon use of the sword."

(291)... Sallaam said: A person of the innovated sects said to Ayyoob : "I want to ask you about a word." He turned away and said: " No, nor even a half a word." - Twice indicating with his finger.

(293)... Malik ibn Anas said: "Is to be the case that every time someone comes who can argue better than another that we are to abandon what Jibreel brought to Muhammad (saw) because of his argument?!"

By Imaam al-Laalikaa'ee
Source: Sharh Usool ul-I'tiqaad
English Transalation by Dawud Burbank

Source: http://www.allaahuakbar.in/article_read.asp?id=499

Answer 2

The Salafis are the ones who follow the example of the "salaf al saleh: the righteous people that came before". The term salaf is generally used to refer to the companions of God's messenger Mohammed peace be upon him and the two generations following them.

Answer 3

Salaf - literally means "those (from history) who precede, have gone before".

for more read http://www.salafitalk.net/st/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=19&Topic=2478

Answer 4

Zis???