The term, genuine Salafism, that is the Salafi Manhaj (the approach of the righteous predecessors), is derived from the Qur'an and Prophet Mohammad's (peace be upon him) Sunnah. Salafism is a pure form of Islam, it is free from all kinds of innovations and impurities, and therefore it's capable of clearing any doubts by itself. Salafism is seeking a linkage to the early generations of Islam leading back to Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him, and Salafiyyoon or Salafis is the plural of Salaf. It is a call to adhere to the path of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the true believers of Islam, who are the Companions of the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), that is the Sahaba (may Allah be pleased with them) — as they are known as the Salaf As Saleh. Association with Salafism means that one associates himself/herself with the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) — the way of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. Hence, Salafism refers to them and all those who follow the methodology (Manhaj) of the Salaf by following the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). The methodology is of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), which he taught the Companions 1400 years ago. They have firm belief in Allah, and their actions are sincere and pious. The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) said, “The Jews split into 71 groups. The Christians split into 72 groups. This Ummah will split into 73 groups; all of them will be in the Fire except one.” They (the Sahabah) said, “Who are they (that saved group) O Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)?” He (peace be upon him) said, “they are the one who are upon the like of what I and my Companions are upon.” (Abu Dawood, Ibn Majah, Ahmad, and Ad Darimi; graded Sahih by Al-Albani) Al-Irbad Bin Saariyah (may Allah be pleased with him) relates a sermon of the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) wherein he advised his Companions to fear Allah. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “I advise you to fear Allah and to listen and obey (the Muslim ruler), even if an Ethiopian slave were to become your ruler.” Then he exhorted upon his Ummah to follow his Sunnah, and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khulafa'a. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Incumbent upon you is my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Khulafa'a after me, (hold) onto it with your molar teeth. And beware of newly invented matters (in religion), for verily every newly invented matter (in religion) is a Bid'ah that is innovation and every Bid'ah is misguidance.” (Tirmidhi; graded Sahih by Al-Albani) The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was asked the following question: What is As-Salafiyyah and what is your opinion regarding it? “As-Salafiyyah” is an attachment or affiliation to the ‘Salaf'. And “The Salaf” are the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and the Imams of guidance (may Allah be pleased with them) from the first three generations, those whose goodness bore witness to Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The best of mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. Then there shall come a people after them who will become avaricious, who will love gluttony, and who will witness before they are asked for it. (Tirmidhi, Sahih) [email protected] __
