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Why The Salafi Manhaj?
July 23, 2008 Indeed, the workers in the field
of Islamic Da’wah have become numerous, and those who direct their attention to
the youth of the “Islaamic Renaissance” are many. All of these people make
intense efforts, work hard and exhaust themselves in order to renew the Islamic
way of life. And in the midst of this overflowing and turbulent sea, you will find
groups of elders and youths. As for the elders, they are content to just return
home with their lives. But as for the youth, they tighten their waist straps
and kick their feet into their riding horses. However, both of these groups are
in confusion and turmoil. Therefore, the concept of the
Salafi Manhaj must be presented in relation to the revival of the rightly
guided Islaamic lifestyle based upon the prophetic way: (2) educating the Muslim
generations upon this purified Islaam with an upbringing based on Eemaan (firm
faith) and intense actions, this is the methodology of the Salafee Da’wah and
the Victorious Group in bringing about change: First: Why the Salafee Manhaj?
Every Muslim that desires true success and looks for the best way of living and
prosperity in this life and the Hereafter must understand the Book of Allaah
and the authentic Sunnah of the Messenger of Alloh Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam
according to the understanding of the best of mankind. And they are the
Sahaabah (Companions), the Taabi’een (Successors) and those who followed them
in goodness until the Day of Judgment. This is because it cannot be conceived
that there is an ideology, understanding or methodology that is more correct or
more adequate than the understanding and methodology of the Salaf As-Saalih
(righteous predecessors). And this is because the latter part of the Ummah will
not be rectified, except by that which rectified its first part. And indeed
when one investigates and examines the evidences from the Qur’aan, the Sunnah,
the consensus of the scholars and deductions from analogy, one will come to the
conclusion that it is an obligation to understand the Qur’aan and the Sunnah in
light of the methodology of the Salaf As-Saalih. This is because it is the
understanding, of which its validity and correctness have been unanimously
agreed upon throughout the various successive centuries. So based on this, it
is not permissible for any individual, regardless of what his status is, to
have an understanding contrary to the understanding of the Salaf. And whoever
turns away from it towards the innovations of the Khalaf (contemporary
Muslims), which are surrounded by dangers and have no side that is safe - and
their effects in dividing the Muslims are well-known and cannot be disputed,
just as their effects in splitting the unity are well understood and cannot be
denied - then this is a person who has established the foundation of his home
on the edge of a cliff which is ready to fall down to its destruction at any
moment. Before you is a clarification of
this principle based on proofs and evidences:1. Alloh, the Most High, says:
“The first and foremost [to embrace Islaam] from the Muhaajiriin and the
Ansaar, and also those who followed them in goodness; Allaah is well-pleased
with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them gardens
under which rivers flow, to abide therein forever. That is the supreme
success.” [Surah At-Tawbah: 100] The point of evidence derived
from this ayah is that the “Lord of mankind” has praised those who follow the
“best of mankind”. So it is understood from this that if the “best of mankind”
say a word, then someone follows them in that, then it is incumbent that this
person be praised for it that he be deserving of (Alloh’s) contentment. And if
there were no distinction between following them and following others, then one
would not be deserving of praise and contentment. The “best of mankind” are the
Sahaabah (Companions) and those who followed them in goodness, based on the
Qur’aanic text: “Verily those who believe and do righteous deeds, they are the
best of mankind.” [Surah Al-Bayyinah: 7] 2. Alloh says: “You are the best
nation brought forth for mankind; commanding good and forbidding evil and
believing in Alloh.” [Surah Aali 'Imraan: 110] The point of evidence: Alloh has
confirmed for them their precedence over the rest of the nations. This
necessitates that they were steadfast and perseverant upon the Religion, under
every condition, for they did not deviate from the clear guidance. So Alloh
bears witness that they commanded (others) towards every good and forbade
(others) from every evil while having firm faith and hope for reward. This
necessitates that their understanding (of the Religion) is a source of
authority and reference for those that come after them until the Day of
Judgment. And if this is not so, then it would not be correct to say that they
command towards good and forbid from evil. So consider. If it is said: This
verse is general and refers to the whole nation (of Muslims), without being
specific to the generation of the Sohaabah apart from those who came after
them. Then I say: They are the ones being spoken to first and foremost (in the
ayah). And “those who followed them in goodness” do not enter into the meaning
of the verse except by way of analogy or another evidence, as was the case with
the First Proof (mentioned above). And upon agreeing with the saying that the
verse is general - and this is what is most correct - then the Sahaabah are the
first ones to enter into the context of the speech that is being directed. This
is since they were the first ones to learn and take the message from the
Messenger Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam, directly, without there being any
intermediary (between them and him Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam). And they were
the first ones to apply the Revelation and put it into practice. They take more
precedence over other people in entering into the meaning of this verse since
the attributes that Allaah describes them with, no one is characterized with
them in their most complete sense except them. So the agreement of the
description with the characterization is a testimony indicating that they have
more right than others to this praise. And due to this: 3. The Messenger
of Alloh said: “The best of mankind is my generation, then those that come
after them, then those that come after them. Then there will come a people of
whom one of them will (have to) put forth his testimony by making oath. And his
oath will be his testimony.” [1] Is the excellence that is affirmed here for
the generation of the Sahaabah found in their skin colors of their bodies or
their wealth or their homes? No person possessing sound intellect, who
comprehends the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah, will have doubts that any of
those things were not what was intended at all. And this is because the
Messenger of Alloh (Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: “Verily, Alloh does not
look at your appearances and your wealth. But instead He looks at your hearts
and your actions.” [2] And this is also because the
standard which determines one’s excellence in Islaam is the Taqwaa of the
hearts and righteous deeds, based on Allaah’s saying: “Verily, the most noble
amongst you in the sight of Allaah are the ones with the most Taqwaa.” [Surah
Al-Hujuraat: 13] And Alloh has indeed looked into the hearts of the Sahaabah
(may Alloh be pleased with them) and found them to the best hearts of His
slaves after the heart of Muhammad Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam. ‘Abdulloh ibn
Mad’ood (may Alloh be pleased with him) said: “Indeed Allaah looks at the
hearts of the slaves (of Allaah) and so He found the heart of Muhammad to the
best of the hearts of the slaves, so He chose him for Himself and He sent him
with His Message. Then he looked in the hearts of the servants after the heart
of Muhammad Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam and found the hearts of the Sohaabah as
being the best hearts of (His) servants. So He made them helpers of His
Prophet, fighting for His Religion.” [3] So He gave them knowledge and
understanding that those who came after them were not able to attain. On the
authority of Abu Juhaifah who said: “I said to ‘Alee (may Allah be pleased with
him): ‘Do you have a book with you?’ He said: ‘Nothing except the Book of
Allaah, or an understanding that a Muslim man was given or what is (written)
down on this page.” [4] Based on this, it becomes clear that the excellence
that is being praised in the Messenger of Alloh’s Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam
saying is in fact the excellence in understanding and methodology. And due to
that the Companions’ understanding of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah becomes the
authoritative source of reference for those that came after them until the last
part of this nation. What clarifies this further is:
4. The saying of Allaah: “Thus We made you a moderate (i.e. just) nation so
that you may become witnesses over mankind and so that the Messenger be a
witness over you.” [Surah Al-Baqarah: 143] Alloh, the Mighty and Sublime, has
made them the best and the most trustworthy of people. Thus, they are the best
of nations and the most truthful in their sayings, actions and needs. Due to
this, they are deserving of being witnesses over mankind. This is why He has
spoken highly of them, raised their status, praised them and received them with
good approval. The witness whose testimony is accepted by Alloh is the one who
bears witness with knowledge and truthfulness. So this person informs
truthfully while basing that on his knowledge. Alloh says: “Except those who
bear witness to the truth while they know.” [Surah Az-Zukhruf: 86] So if their
testimony is accepted by Alloh, then there is no doubt that their understanding
of the Religion is a source of authority and reference for those after them.
And if this is not so, then their testimony of witness would not have been
established. And the verse confirms the proof for this unrestrictedly.
Furthermore, this nation (of Muslims has not unrestrictedly sanctioned the
truthfulness of any generation, except for the generation of the Sohaabah. For indeed, Ahl-us-Sunnah
wal-Jamaa’ah, from the followers of the Salaf and the Ahl-ul-Hadeeth, have all
declared the Companions to be truthful and trustworthy (i.e., in their
narrations of hadeeth) both in the unrestricted and general sense. So they
accepted from them their reports and their knowledge without exempting or
excluding any of them. This is contrary to those other than the Sahaabah, for
they did not declare (these other people) to be truthful and trustworthy,
except those whose proficiency (in narrating) was verified and whose honesty
was confirmed. And people were not granted these two things unless they tread
the path of the Sahaabah, may Alloh be pleased with them. So it has become
confirmed that the understanding of the Sahaabah is an authoritative source and
reference for those other than them, when facing the texts of the Qur’aan and
the Sunnah. This is why Alloh, the Most Perfect, has commanded us to follow
their way: 5. Allaah says: “And follow the
way of those who turn to Me in repentance.” [Surah Luqmaan: 15] Every one of
the Sahaabah turned to Allaah in repentance. So Allaah guided them to goodness
in speech and righteousness in actions based on the proof found in Allaah’s
saying: “And then they follow the best of it (Qur’aan). These are the ones whom
Allaah has guided. And they are those who possess understanding.” [Surah
Az-Zumar: 17-18] So it is an obligation to follow their way with regard to
understanding the Religion of Allaah by way of His Book and the Sunnah. Due to
this, Allaah has threatened those who follow other than their way with the
Hellfire - what an evil destination. 6. Allaah says: “And whosoever
opposes the Messenger after the guidance has been made clear to him, and he
follows a way other than the believers’ way, We will turn him to what he has
chosen and land him in Hell - what an evil destination!” [Surah An-Nisaa: 115]
Point of evidence: Alloh places a threat on following a way other than the
believers’ way. So this indicates that following their way in understanding the
Religion is an obligation. And opposing it is misguidance. Abu Moosaa
Al-Ash’aree reported: “We prayed the Maghrib prayer with the Messenger of
Allaah Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam and then said: ‘Let’s sit and wait so we can
pray the ‘Ishaa prayer with him (also).’ So we sat and then he Sollallohu Alayhi
Wa Sallam came out to us and said: ‘What kept you here?’ We said: ‘O Messenger
of Allaah Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam, we prayed with you and then said to
ourselves: Let’s sit so we can pray the ‘Ishaa prayer with you.’ He Sollallohu
Alayhi Wa Sallam said: ‘You have done well’ or ‘You have acted correctly’. Then
he raised his head to the sky - and he would raise his head up to the sky often
- and said: ‘The stars are guardians for the sky. So when the stars depart, the
sky’s affair comes to pass. And I am a guardian for my Companions, and my
Companions are guardians for my nation. So when my Companions depart, my nation
will get what it has been promised.’” [5] So the Messenger of Alloh
Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam has made his Companions’ relation to those who came
after them from the Muslim nation just like his Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam
relation to his Companions and like the relation of the stars to the sky. It is
well known that this prophetic comparison presents the following of the
Companions’ understanding of the Religion in exchange for the ummah’s returning
back to its Prophet Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam. This is since he Sollallohu
Alayhi Wa Sallam was the one who explained the Qur’aan, while his Companions
were the ones who conveyed his explanation to the ummah. And also the Messenger
of Alloh Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam does not speak from his desire. Rather, it
is only truth and guidance that emanates from him. And his Companions were
trustworthy; they did not speak except with honesty and they did not act except
in truth. Also, Alloh has made the stars as missiles, which shoot out against
the devils when they try to steal a hearing (of revelation from the heavens).
Allaah says: “Verily, We have beautified the lowest (level of) heaven with an adornment
of stars. And (in order) to guard against every rebellious devil. They are not
able to hear the highest assembly (of angels) except that they are pelted from
every side. They are outcast and for them will be a painful punishment. Except
he who snatches away something by stealing, but a flaming fire follows after
him.” [Surah As-Saafaat: 6-10] And Alloh says: “And indeed We have beautified
the lowest (level of) heaven with lamps. And We have made them (lamps) into
missiles for (launching against) the devils.” [Surah al-Mulk: 5] Similarly, the Sahaabah are the
beautification and adornment of this nation in terms of understanding,
knowledge and action. And they (also) served as meteors and missiles against
the misinterpretations of the ignorant, the lies of the fabricators and the
distortions of the extremists. And likewise, the stars are lights for the
inhabitants of the earth to be guided by, during the darkness of the land and
the sea. Allaah says: “And by the stars, they (mankind) are able to guide
themselves.” [Surah an-Nahl: 16]. And He says: “And He is the One who placed
stars for you so that you may guide yourselves by them in the darkness of the
land and sea.” [Surah Al-Ana'aam: 97] Similarly, the Sahaabah are
followed in order to be saved from the darkness of desires and doubts. So
whoever turns away from their understanding, then in his delusion, he clothes
himself in darkness – layer upon layer of it – such that when he sticks his
hand out, he is not even able to see it. And with the understanding of the
Sahaabah, the Qur’aan and the Sunnah becomes fortified against the devils among
mankind and the jinn – those who seek mischief and who seek its hidden meanings
in order to corrupt the meanings intended by Alloh and his Messenger Sollallohu
Alayhi Wa Sallam. So the understanding of the Sohaabah is a stronghold against
evil and its causes. If their understanding was not a source of authority and
reference, then the understanding of those who came after them would have been
a guardian for the Sahaabah, as well as a stronghold for them, and this is
impossible. And if this specification and restriction – of the obligation of
the Qur’aan and the authentic Sunnah according to the understanding of the
Salaf As-Saalih – were rejected, the Muslim would be diverted from the Correct
Path. And he would become an open prey for the groups and parties that have
deviated from the Straight Path. This is since the Qur’aan and the Sunnah are
exposed to the evils of numerous attempts made to understanding (them), such as
that of the Mu’tazilah, the Murji’ah, the Jahmiyyah, the Shi’ah, the Sufiyyah,
the Khawaarij, the Baatiniyyah and other then them. So a distinction must be
made. And if its said: “There is no
doubt that the Messenger’s Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam understanding and the
understanding of the Companions after him Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam is the
methodology that falsehood cannot come near to, whether from the front of it or
behind it. But what is the proof that the Salafi Manhaj is the understanding of
the Messenger Sollallohu Alayhi Wa Sallam and his Companions?” I say: the answer comes from two
perspectives: 1. The concepts that were stated
previously came after the period of Prophethood and after the period of the
rightly guided Khaleefahs. And the one who precedes (comes first) cannot
attribute himself to the one who succeeds (comes after), but rather it is the
opposite. So it has become clear that the group that doesn’t tread those paths
nor does it follow these sects, it is the one that is remaining upon the
original state of affairs. 2. We do not find amongst the
sects of the Muslim ummah, anyone that is in accordance with the Sahaabah
except the Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, such as the followers of the Salaf
As-Saalih and the Ahlul-Hadeeth, apart from the rest of the sects. As for the Mu’atazilah, then how
can they be in conformity with the Sahaabah when their leaders accuse and
slander the noble Sahaabah, take away their (may Allah be pleased with them)
trustworthiness and reliability, and attribute them with misguidance? Such is
the case with Waasil Ibn ‘Ataa who said: “If ‘Alee, Talha and Zubair were to
give their testimony concerning a bundle of herbs, I would not rule according
to their testimony.” And as for the Shi’ah, then they
claim that all of the Companions apostated after the Prophet’s death except
three of them. And they claim that because they are disbelievers, there is no
good example, role model or honor to be found in the Sohaabah. And as for the Khawaarij, then
they have deviated from the Religion and split away from the main body of
Muslims. From the requisites of their beliefs is to pronounce disbelief upon
‘Alee, his two sons, Ibn ‘Abbaas, ‘Uthmaan, Talha, ‘Aa’ishah and Mu’awiyah. And
whoever makes them his target and declares them to be disbelievers is not on
the way of the Sahaabah. And as for the Sufis, then they
scoff and ridicule the inheritance of the prophets (i.e. knowledge). And they
deny the carriers of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah and describe them as being
dead. For one of their elders said: “You take your knowledge from ‘A dead
person reporting from (another) dead person’, while we take our knowledge from
‘My heart narrated to me from my Lord (that He said such and such)!’” And as for the Murji’ah, then
they claim that the Eemaan (Faith) of the hypocrites is just like the Eemaan of
the first predecessors! In summary, these groups seek to nullify our
eyewitnesses to the Qur’aan and Sunnah (i.e. the Sahaabah) and to discredit
them, whereas they are the ones most deserving of being discredited. So from
this, it has become evident that the Salafee understanding is the methodology
of the Saved Sect and the Victorious Group with regard to understanding,
learning and using evidences. Footnotes: [1] A mutawaatir hadeeth as
stated by Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajr in Al-Isaabah 1/12) and As-Suyootee, Al-Manaawee,
and Al-Kanaanee agreed. [2] Reported by Muslim (16/121 of
Nawawee). [3] A mawqoof narration (meaning
a statement of a Companion only) that has a sound chain of narration, reported
by Ahmad (1/379) and others. [4] Reported by Al-Bukhaaree, see
(1/204) of Al-Fath. [5] Reported by Muslim (16/82 of An-Nawawee). (Taken from Al-Asaalah Magazine
Issue 1, Translated by Ism’eel Alarcon) Source: www.theclearsunnah.wordpress.com http://akhpaiman.wordpress.com/2008/07/23/why-the-salafi-manhaj/ |
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