| The Methodology of the Salaf us-Saalih Explained
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| The Salafis 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 Salafis 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] |
Our Creed and call to the ummaah taken from the book {The Crime of Hizbiyah against the Salafi Dawah p.69-72)
[1]: We believe in Allaah and His Names and Attributes, as they were mentioned in the Book of Allaah and in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah, without tahreef (distortion), nor ta’weel (figurative interpretation), nor tamtheel (making a likeness), nor tashbeeh (resemblance), nor ta’teel (denial).
[2]: We believe that calling upon the dead and seeking aid from them, and similarly with the living, in that which no one besides Allaah is capable of, is Shirk with Allaah. Likewise, believing that charms and amulets can bring about benefit along with Allaah, or without Allaah is Shirk, and carrying them without that belief is superstition.
[3]: We take the Book and the Sunnah upon their apparent meanings, and we do not perform ta’weel, except through a proof that necessitates ta’weel (figurative interpretation) of the Book and the Sunnah.
[4]: We love the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, and we hate those who speak against them. We believe that to speak ill of them is to speak ill of the Religion, because they are the ones who conveyed it to us. And we love the Family of the Prophet with love that is permitted by the Sharee’ah.
[5]: We love the People of Hadeeth and all of the Salaf of the Ummah from Ahlus-Sunnah.
[6]: We despise ‘ilmul-kalaam (knowledge of theological rhetoric), and we view it to be from amongst the greatest reasons for the division in the Ummah.
[7] We do not perform takfeer upon any Muslim due to any sin, except shirk with Allaah, or abandonment of prayer, or apostasy. We seek refuge from Allah from that.
[8]: We do not perform takfeer upon any Muslim due to any sin, except Shirk with Allaah, or the abandonment of Prayer, or apostasy. We seek refuge in Allaah from that.
[9]: We believe that the Qur’aan is the Speech of Allaah, it is not created.
[10]: We hold co-operation with any Muslim upon the truth to be obligatory and we declare ourselves free in front of Allaah from the calls of Jaahiliyyah (pre-Islaamic times of ignorance).
[11]: We do not deem it correct to revolt against the Muslim rulers as long as they are Muslims, nor do we feel that revolutions bring about reconciliation. Rather, they corrupt the community.
[12]: We hold that this multiplicity of present day parties is a reason for the division of the Muslims and their weakness.
[13]: We restrict our understanding of the Book of Allaah and of the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah to the understanding of the Salaf of the Ummah from the Scholars of hadeeth, not the blind followers of their individuals. Rather, we take the truth from wherever it comes. And we know that there are those who claim Salafiyyah, yet Salafiyyah is free from them, since they bring to the society what Allaah has prohibited.
[14]: We believe that politics is a part of the Religion, and those who try to separate the Religion from politics are only attempting to destroy the Religion and to spread chaos.
[15]: We believe there will be no honor or victory for the Muslims until they return to the Book of Allaah and to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah .
[16]: We oppose those who divide the Religion of trivialities and important issues. And we know that this is a destructive da’wah.
[17]: We oppose those who put down the knowledge of the Sunnah, and say that this is not the time for it. Likewise, we oppose those who put down acting upon the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah .
[18]: Our da’wah and our ‘aqeedah is more beloved to us than our own selves, our wealth and our offspring. So we are not prepared to part with it for gold, nor silver. We say this so that no one may have hope in buying out our da’wah, nor should he think that it is possible for him to purchase it from us for deenaar or dirham.
[19]: We love the present day Scholars of the Sunnah and hope to benefit from them and regret the passing away of many of them.
These are glimpses into our ‘aqeedah and our da’wah.
So let it be known that this has not fully covered our da’wah and our ‘aqeedah, since our da’wah is from the Book and the Sunnah, to the Book and the Sunnah, and our ‘aqeedah is likewise. And Allaah is sufficient for us, and He is the best of those who are trusted. And there is no might, nor power, except with Allaah.
The majority of this text is a summarisation of what is found in “Tarjumah Abee ’Abdur-Rahmaan Muqbil Ibn Haadee al-Waadi’ee” (p. 135-142) of Shaykh Muqbil Ibn Haadee.
The Path of the Predecessors 