https://abukhadeejah.com/what-is-salafism-and-salafiyyah/
All praise is due to Allāh, Lord of all creation. May Allāh extol the mention of the Prophet in the highest company of Angels and may the peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, his family, his Companions and all those who follow him exactly till the Day of Judgement.

Introduction and Important Words of Clarification

Islam is the Religion of all the Prophets, from Adam to Muhammad. A Muslim is anyone who embraces this Religion and acts upon it. Muslims worship none except the one true God (Arabic, Al-Ilāh), and He is Allāh. Muslims shun all forms of polytheism, and they follow the teachings of final Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) sent to mankind. This is the basis of Salafism.
The Sunnah is the Path of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Companions. Whoever follows this path exactly is referred to as a Sunni and he is from Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah. Sometimes the term Sunni is used more generally to refer to anyone who is not from the Shi’ite sect. However merely being a non-Shi’ite is not sufficient to save a person from falling into deviation.
As-Salaf As-Sālih (“The Pious Predecessors”) are the Companions of Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and the three generations that came after them. They are also called Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah, the Salaf, As-hābul-Hadeeth and Ahlul-Hadeeth. Whoever accepts them and follows their path precisely in belief, methodology and religion is upon true guidance.
Salafism (or Salafiyyah) is the true Path in following Islam and the Sunnah. A Salafi is one who follows the path of the Salaf As-Sālih exactly without alteration.
The terms Salafi, Sunni, Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamā’ah, As-hābul-Hadeeth and Ahlul-Hadeeth are interchangeable. All these titles refer to the same body of people who all follow the same path. However, not everyone who uses these titles is a true adherent of what they represent. In fact, the majority of people who ascribe themselves to these labels have beliefs and methodologies in opposition to the path of the Salaf As-Sālih. To distinguish between a mere claimant and a true adherent is one of the main purposes of this article.
To be a Salafi means adhering to the Creed, Methodology and the way of life of the Salaf As-Sālih (the Pious Predecessors). The earliest Salaf were the generation of our Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and his Companions. Then after them came the three virtuous generations of believers who held fast to the Sunnah (Path) of the Prophet and his Companions. The person who understands this path correctly, follows it exactly, without introducing anything into it and nor deviating from it is a Salafi. To be a Salafi is not merely to imagine that one is upon the true path of the Salaf, but Salafism is to study the religion of the Companions and follow it — it was they who understood best the meanings and intent of the speech and actions of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

So, if someone asks: “What is the Call (Da’wah) and Methodology (Manhaj) of the Salafis in learning, practising and teaching the Religion?” We can answer by saying: Here is our Da’wah explained in the following 89 points:

The Salafi Call and Methodology


1. We call, first and foremost, to the worship of Allah alone without associating partners with Him. This was the starting point of the call of the Prophets (عليهم السلام), just as Allah has stated: “We sent a messenger to every nation proclaiming: Worship Allah alone and abandon the worship of the false deities.” So, this call to the worship of Allah alone must be coupled with the negation of the worship of everything besides Him.

2. We acknowledge that the Religion calls to many essentials, therefore, we begin by inviting to the most essential affair, followed by that which is next in importance according to the Quranic and Prophetic texts. Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded Mu’ādh ibn Jabal (رضي الله عنه): “Invite them firstly to the worship Allāh alone and if they affirm that, then inform them that Allāh has obligated upon them five prayers during the night and day. If they affirm that, then inform them that Allāh has obligated upon them the Zakāt…”

3. We hold that the Sunnah is Revelation just as the Qur’ān is Revelation. Allāh, the Most High, said: “He (the Prophet) does not speak from his desires, rather it is not except Revelation that is sent to him.”

4. We believe that the Sunnah is whatever was conveyed to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) other than the Qur’ān. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Indeed I have been given the Qur’ān and that which is like it along with it.”

5. We believe that the Sunnah is whatever the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stated or did and whatever was done in his presence which he did not object to. The Sunnah also includes his outward description and inward character.

6. We hold that the best of mankind after the Prophets and Messengers (Q) are the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) due to his saying: “The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.”

7. We hold that the most excellent of these Companions is Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq, then `Umar ibn Al-Khattāb, then `Uthmān ibn `Affān, then `Alī ibn Abī Tālib (رضي الله عنهم), then the rest of the ten Companions who were promised Paradise. Then those that fought at Badr, then those who took the oath of allegiance of Ar-Ridwān at Al-Hudaibiyah under the tree, then the rest of the Muhājiroon, then the Ansār, then those who embraced Islam before the conquest of Makkah, then those who embraced after the conquest.

8. We dissociate ourselves from the [Rāfidah] Shī’ah and we warn against them due to their numerous heresies such as their hatred, reviling and cursing the wives and Companions of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). The Messenger of Allāh (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Do not abuse my Companions, for by the One in Whose Hand is my soul, if one of you were to spend the like of the Mount of Uhud in gold, it would not equate to even a handful of one of them, and not even half.”And he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “The curse of Allāh is upon the one who curses my Companions.”

9. We believe that rectification of the Ummah lies in holding fast to the Book of Allāh and the authentic Sunnah of Allāh’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) upon the understanding of the Companions. The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “I have left among you that which if you cling to it, you will never go astray: The Book of Allāh and my Sunnah.” He also said: “Hold on to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs after me.”

10. We believe that the attainment of unity of the Muslims and the avoidance of splitting is a fundamental commanded by Allāh and His Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم). Allāh, the Most High, stated: “And hold fast all of you together to the Rope of Allāh, and be not divided.” and He said: “Do not be like those who divided and differed after there had come to them the clear proofs.”

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Assalamu'alaykum... I'll be posting the next ten tomorrow, but if you are eager to read all at once then use the provided link above.

11. We believe that the legislated unity can only be achieved when all disputation and differing between Muslims is referred back to the Book and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the Companions. This is due to the saying of the Most High: “If you differ in any affair between yourselves, then refer it back to Allāh and His Messenger if you truly believe in Allāh and the Last Day.”And the saying of the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Whoever among you lives for long will see much differing and controversy, so upon you is to cling to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs after me. Hold on to that with your molar teeth.”

12. We believe that inviting (da’wah) to Allāh begins with the rectification of the Belief (`Aqeedah). This was the starting point of the call of all the Messengers (عليهم السلام). And the Messenger Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) commanded Mu’ādh ibn Jabal (رضي الله عنه) to begin with the belief (Tawheed) when calling the people of Yemen to Islam.

13. We reject and forbid all innovations that are introduced into the Religion, whether it be in matters of belief, speech or action due to the saying of Allāh, the Most High: “This day I have perfected for you your Religion, completed my favour upon you and I am pleased with Islam as your Religion.”And the saying of the Most High: “Or have they set up partners alongside Allāh who legislate for them in the Religion that for which Allāh has given no authority.”

14. All innovations introduced into the Religion are forbidden, misguided and lead to the Fire. There is no allowance in Islam for what is referred to as a good innovation (bid`ah hasanah). This is due to the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “Indeed the worst of all affairs in Islam are the newly introduced matters, every newly introduced matter is bid`ah, and every bid`ah is misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire.” And he said: “Whoever introduces into this affair of ours that which is not from it, then it is rejected.”

15. We believe the Qur’ān is the Speech of Allāh, not created. And whoever states that the Qur’ān is created is a disbeliever. Imām Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: “It is not created. And one should not show weakness in declaring that it is not created. Rather, the speech of Allāh is not distinct and separate from Him, and not a single thing from it is created.” We believe that Allāh, the Most High, speaks with words, letters and a voice that is heard. And He speaks when He Wills to whom He Wills.

16. We affirm the Names and Attributes of Allāh mentioned in the Qur’ān and authentic Sunnah. We believe that they are taken upon their apparent meanings and not metaphorically. We do not discuss ‘how’ (kayf) the Attributes are. We hold that to question ‘how’ the Attributes of Allāh are is an innovation that leads to making resemblances with Allāh. And the early Salaf, such as Mālik ibn Anas (رحمه الله) sternly forbade that.

17. We free our Lord, the Most High, from any likeness (tamtheel) to the Creation whilst affirming that His Attributes are real and true, just as He has stated: “There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”So, He, the Most High, negated resemblance whilst affirming His Attributes of Hearing and Seeing.

18. We affirm for Allāh what He has affirmed for Himself of Names and Attributes without negating (ta’teel) them or distorting (tahreef) them. He, the Most High, has said regarding His Names: “And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them. And leave [the company of] those who practice deviation concerning His names. They will be recompensed for what they have been doing.”

19. We believe in the punishment of the grave and its reward as has been reported in the authentic narrations. We believe in the questioning of the servant in the grave by the two Angels. They will question the servant regarding his Lord, his Religion and his Prophet as is reported in the authentic narrations.

20. We believe that there is a Bridge (As-Sirāt) erected over Hell, thinner than a strand of hair and sharper than a sword as has been reported in the authentic narrations and that every person will cross over it in accordance to his deeds. The righteous will cross it swiftly like lightning or a charging horse, whilst the sinners will crawl, and others will be snatched and cast into the Hellfire due to their evil deeds. Allāh, the Most High, said: “There is none of you, except that he will come to it. This is upon your Lord an inevitability decreed.” [19:71-71]

21. We believe that Allāh, the Mighty and Majestic, is above the Seven Heavens, over His Throne, separate and distinct from His Creation and He knows everything and Controls the affairs. There are over one thousand proofs from the Qur’ān and Sunnah proving the Highness (Al-`Uluw) of Allāh, as well as the Ijmā` (consensus) of the Sahābah and the Imāms of Ahlus-Sunnah from the early Salaf. Whoever states that Allāh, the Most High, is in-dwelling in His creation has disbelieved. The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “When you ask Allāh, ask for Al-Firdaws which is the middle of Paradise and highest part of Paradise. Above it is the Throne of the Most Merciful, and from it originate the rivers of Paradise.”Allāh, the Most High, said: “The Most Merciful has ascended over the Throne.”And we do not delve into ‘how’.

22. We believe in the intercession (Ash-Shafā`ah) of the Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) on Day of Resurrection, and for other than him, for those whom Allāh has permitted from amongst the Angels, the Prophets and the believers. This is due to the saying of Allāh, the Most High: “None shall have the power of intercession except one who has received permission from the Most Merciful.”And due to the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “I am the master of the children of Adam on the Day of Resurrection. I am the first for whom the grave will be split open, the first to intercede and the first whose intercession will be accepted.”

23. We believe that seeking intercession from the Prophets and the Awliyā (pious people who have died) by supplicating to them is major shirk (polytheism) because that is considered as worship of them. The Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Supplication (du`ā) is worship.”And Allāh, the Most High, stated: “And invoke not beside Allāh that which will neither benefit you nor harm you, but if you do, then you will be from the wrongdoers. And if Allāh afflicts you with harm, none can remove it except He.”[10:106-107] And His statement concerning those who supplicate to the deceased: “Who is more astray than the one who calls upon other than Allāh; one who will not answer him till the Day of Resurrection.” [27:62] And His saying: “Your Lord has said: Call upon Me and supplicate to Me and I will answer you. And those who disdain My worship, then they will be entered into the Hellfire in disgrace.” [40:60].

24. We believe in the Qadā and Qadr of Allāh, meaning that the affairs are Pre-Decreed. This entails belief in four matters: 1) Allāh’s knowledge over everything that has occurred, that which is to occur; and nothing escapes His knowledge. 2) Allāh commanded the Pen to write everything that was to take place until the Day of Judgement in Al-Lawh Al-Mahfoodh(The Preserved Tablet), fifty thousand years before the creation of the Heavens and the Earth. 3) Allāh Wills whatever takes place, and nothing takes place except by His Will. 4) Allāh created everything, good and evil, from His perfect Wisdom.

25. We hold that seeking blessings (tabarruk) from the graves, or from particular trees, or stones, or rocks and so on, is shirk (polytheism). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said to those who requested that they be allotted a tree for seeking blessings: “By Him in whose Hand is my soul, you have said just as the Children of Israel said to Mūsā (عليه السلام): ‘Make for us a god just like their gods.’ So Mūsā said, ‘Indeed, you are a people who are ignorant.’ (Al-A’rāf: 138) You shall certainly follow the ways of those who came before you.”

26. We hold that People of Innovation (Ahlul-Bid’ah) should be boycotted and shunned because they seek to corrupt the pure Religion. Fudayl ibn Iyād (died 187H) said: “I met the best of people, all of them people of Sunnah and they used to forbid from keeping company with the People of Bid`ah.”

27. We hold that the one who defends, accommodates or promotes the People of Innovation is to be counted amongst them due to the saying of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم): “A person is upon the Religion of his companion, so let each of you look to whom he takes as his companion.” And Fudayl ibn Iyād (رحمه الله) said: “Whoever sits with a person of Innovation, then beware of him.”

28. We hold that it is not permitted to sit and acquire knowledge from Ahlul-Bid`ah. And upon this, there is the ijmā’(consensus) of Ahlus-Sunnah. Qādi Abu Ya’lā (d. 333H) said: “There is a consensus amongst the Sahābah and the Tābi’een regarding dissociating and cutting-off from the Innovators.”

29. We hold it to be forbidden to look into the books, writings, websites and teachings of Ahlul-Bid’ah or listen to their lectures and classes. To delve into their teachings and writings opposes the Manhaj(Methodology) of the Salaf. Rather, it is for the Scholars and those grounded in knowledge to uncover their mistakes and to refute them.

30. We hold that the general Muslims who have been deceived by the callers to innovation should be invited to the Sunnah in a goodly manner in accordance to the saying of Allāh, the Most High: “Invite to the Path of your Lord with wisdom, good admonition and argue with them in a manner that is best.”