SCHOLARS ON SALAFIYYIAH Introduction: The Salafi dawah is a methodology and not a sect or madhab as it has never had any one overall leader expect the prophet Mohammed all other sects, groups or madhabs have a founder or overall leader either in the past or today. Salafis also do not follow anyone scholars understanding of Islam in every issue unlike groups and sects with in Islam. Salafis follow the scholars of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah also known as Ahlus Sunnah from the past and of today collectively on all issues. Salafis can come from the Maliki, the Shafi’i, the Hanbali, or the Hanafi schools of law. Salafis accept teaching of all four schools of law but only if their rulings are supported by clear and authenticated evidences from the Quran and Sunnah, they are not divided on the question of adherence to the four recognized schools of legal interpretation (madhabs). They only say a person should not blind follow a madhab. By this what is meant is following only one madhab in every issue without knowing their evidences believing this madhab is correct on every issue, while rejecting every other madhab on every issue without knowing their evidences, believing they are wrong on every issue. Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani also used the term, salafi to describe Muhammad ibn al-Qaasim ibn Sufyan al-Misri al-Maliki (d. 966 C.E., 355 A.H.) He said that al-Malaiki was: “ Salafi al-madh’hab – salafi in his school of thought.” In his book, Tabsir al-Muntabih, Ibn Hajar al- Asqalani mentioned the ascription al-Salafi and named Abd al-Rahman ibn Abdillah ibn Ahmad Al-Sarkhasi al- Salafi as an example of its usage. Ibn Hajar then said: “And, likewise, the one ascribing to the salaf.” Imaam adh-Dhahabee (d.748H) said: “It is authentically related from ad-Daaraqutnee (d. 995 C.E., 385 A.H.) that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than ‘ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorics). I say: He never entered into ‘ilmul- kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, he was a Salafee (a follower of the Salaf). ”[Siyar 16/457] Also, al-Dhahabi described Ibn al-Salah, a prominent 12th century hadith specialist, as: “Firm in his religiosity, salafi in his generality and correct in his denomination. [He] refrained from falling into common pitfalls, believed in Allah and in what Allah has informed us of from His names and description.” In another of his works, Tadhkirat al-huffaz, al-Dhahabi said of Ibn al-Salah: “I say: He was salafi , of sound creed, abstaining from the interpretations of the scholars of rhetoric, believing in what has been textually established, without recourse to unjustified interpretation or elaboration. As-Sam’aanee (d.562H) said in al-lnsaab (3/273): “ As-Salafi: this is an ascription to the Salaf and following their ways, in that which is related from them.” lbn al-Atheer (d.630H) said in al-Lubaab fee Tahdheebul-lnsaab (2/162), commenting upon the previous saying of as-Sam’aanee: “And a group were known by this ascription (salafi).” Narrated Aisha that the Prophet Mohammed said, ‘“But this year he reviewed it with me twice, and therefore I think that my time of death has approached. So, be afraid of Allah, and be patient, for I am the best SALAF (PREDECESSOR) for you (in the Hereafter).”’ [Sahih Bukhari, - The Book of Asking Permission, Hadeeth no. 5885] Abu Haneefah (d. 150H) 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 Sawn al Mantaq wal-Kalaam p.32] Imaam al-Awzaee (d.157H) said: “Hold fast to the narrations of the salaf, even if people were to abandon you. Beware of the opinions of the people, no matter how much they beautify it with their speech.” [Related by al-Khateeb al-Baghdadee in his excellent book Sharafu Ashaabul-Hadeeth (p.7)] Imaam al-Asbahaanee (d.535H) said: “The sign of Ahlus-Sunnah is that they follow the Salafus-Saalih and abandon all that is innovated and newly introduced into the Deen.” [Al- Hujjah fee Bayaanil Mahajjah 1/364]
Posted on: Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:32:42 +0000