WHO ARE SALAF?

SALAF : Its meaning in the Arabic language is "Those who precede, have gone before".
Its usage: A word used by the earliest scholars for "The first three generations of Muslims" and those who are upon their way in accordance with the Ahaadeeth of the Messenger Muhammad (sallAllaahu` alayhi wa sallam) which is reported in Saheeh al-Bukhaaree: The best of generations is my generation, then those that follow them, then those that follow them.

The term SALAFEE is a relational adjective derived from the noun, SALAF, used in the phrase "as SALAF-as -saalih {The righteous fore fathers} to refer to the Sahâbah and early orthodox scholars. Hence a person who follows the Salafee is one who strictly adheres to Islaam as understood by the early generation of Islaamic Scholars.

As-Sam'aanee "As-Salafi: this is an ascription to the Salaf and following their ways, in that which is related from them."

lbn al-Atheer (rahimahullaah) (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." So the meaning is: that the term Salafi, and its ascription to them, was a matter known in the time of Imaam as-Sam'aanee, or before him.

Imaam Abu Haneefah (rahimahullaah) d. 769 C. E. (150 A. H.) said: "Adhere to the Athaar (narrations) 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.]

Al-Awzaa'ee (rahimahullaah) said Follow the footsteps of the SALAF . . .
"By clinging to their way, holding on to their beliefs and understanding the Deen (religion) as they did, worshipping Allaah in His Oneness, upon the Authentic Sunnah of the Messenger Muhammad (sallallaahu`alaihiwasallam) in the manner of the Companions one is guaranteed success in this life and security from the Fire in the next life".

Imaam al-Asbahaanee (d.535H) - (rahimahullaah) - 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]

When questioned by his Companions about those who will be saved from the Fire, the Messenger Muhammad (sallAllaahu` alayhi wa sallam) replied: "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee from Amr ibn al-Aas - classified as Hasan.] All the great scholars from the earliest to the later times have advised clinging to the way and methodology (Manhaj) of the SALAF and adherence to it as it is the only means of deliverance.

Ibn Taymiyyah (Rahimahullaah) says: "There is no blame on the one who manifests, proclaims the way of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement (Ittifaaq), because the way of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth" (HAQQ) [From Majmoo al-Fataawaa, 4:149.]

Imaam adh-Dhahabee (d.748H) - rahimahullaah - said: "It is authentically related from ad- Daaraqutnee that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than 'irnul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorics). I say: No person should ever enter into 'ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, he should be Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)." [Siyar 16/457]

Additionally, The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu` alayhi wa sallam) said: "Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly Guided Caliphs, bite onto it with your molar teeth and beware of newly invented matters, for verily every innovation (Bid'ah) is a going astray." [Reported by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad and by Abu Dawood in his Sunan, by at-Tirmidhee in his Sunan, and by Ibn Majah in his Sunan. It is an Saheeh (Authentic) Ahaadeeth.]

Allaah the Glorified and Exalted states in His Noble Book:

"And most of them believe not in Allaah, except that they attribute partners to him." [Soorah Yoosuf 12:106]

The present state of the Ummah therefore, is as the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) spoke about it - even before we had seen what we had seen. In fact, even our forefathers saw what they saw - the division into sects and groups and the division of the Religion - contrary to the command of the Lord of the Worlds.

"…And do not be from among the polytheists, those who have split up their Religion and become groups and sects, each group only being pleased with that which is with it." [Sooratur-Room 30:31-32]

And in contradiction to Allaah’s command in another statement:

"And verily, this is My Straight Path, so follow it and do not follow other paths, for they would separate you away from His Path." [Sooratul-An’aam 6:153]

In addition, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has made it clear what is meant by these 'other paths’ in an authentic hadeeth [1] which depicts the division of the Muslims and the straying of a large number of them from the straight path.

’Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood [2] (radiyallaahu ’anhu) said: "One day the Messenger of Allaah drew for us a straight line on the ground and said: 'This is the path of Allaah.' Then he drew a number of other lines on the right and the left of the straight line, and said: 'These are pathways, on the head of each path is a shaytaan calling people to it (himself).' Then he recited: "And verily this is My Path so follow it." [3]

Indeed the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has explained in this hadeeth, that the path leading to Allaah is a single path. It is not as some of the Soofees say or claim, that the paths to Allaah are as numerous as breaths of the creatures, at least this is what they used to say long ago. Today however, the paths have changed to the emergence of groups and parties. Each of these groups being pleased only with that which is with them. This is so, even though all of the Muslims are aware of Allaah’s command: "And do not be from among the Polytheists, those who split their religion and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it." [Sooratur Room 30:31-32]

And they are aware of the words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): "The Jews have split and divided into seventy-one sects and the Christians have split and divided into seventy-two sects and my Ummah would split into seventy-three sects. All of these sects will be in the Fire except one." They said, "And which one is this o Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "The Jamaa’ah." [4]

This is the most popular narration of this hadeeth, and it is an authentic narration. In another narrations which explains this one, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), when asked about the group that would be saved, said: "The one that adheres to what I and my Companions adhere to." [5]

The Words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in this second narration, which is graded as 'hasan' [6], as I have explained in some of my books, "What I and my Companions are adhering to."

Defines the path which the group, that would be saved from the Fire must follow. This is the group which takes its methodology from that of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions.

A point must be made here relating to the words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam),

"…and my Companions."

It is clear that, had the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) limited himself to saying:

"What I am adhering to."

It would have been sufficient as an answer. Due to great wisdom, however he went further and added:

"…and my Companions."

The wisdom behind this is that the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) were all upon true guidance from their Lord. They learnt from the Revelation which was sent down upon the heart of their Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), fresh and pure, just as it was revealed, and before its meanings were corrupted by foreign elements and vain desires which captured the hearts of some of those who came after them. This corruption is evident in the emergence of views and thoughts contradictory to that of the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). This is why he mentioned the Companions and mentioned them along with what he was upon; for he knew that they would be true followers of him.

In addition, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has spoken in glowing terms about the generations immediately following his Companions. He said in an authentic hadeeth, rather a Mutawaatir hadeeth [7] in my view and as far as I know, resulting from my research and study of it:

"The best of people are those of my generation…"

Some people, when mentioning this hadeeth, say: "The best generation is my generation."

I see it necessary to mention here - and indeed reminders benefit the believers - that the correct wording of the hadeeth is: "The best people…"

"The best people are those of my generation, followed by those who came after them, followed by those who came after them." [8]

These three generations therefore, they are the ones about whom the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) attested to their benevolence. They too, are the ones referred to in the Qur`aanic verse:

"And whosoever contradicts the Messenger, after receiving guidance, and follows other than the path of the Believers, we will leave him in the path which he has chosen and cast him into Hell - what an evil destination." [Sooratun-Nisaa’ 4:115]

It was from the Words of Allaah: "And follow other than the path of the Believers."

That the Prophet took his words in the previous hadeeth: "…and my Companions."

The vocal point of the Qur`aanic verse is the same of that of the hadeeth. This too, provides clear proof that it is not permissible for any Muslim, in these later years, whosoever may be, to contradict or take other than the path of the Believers - because they were on upon clear guidance from their Lord. For this reason also, the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned some of his Companions as being of a higher calibre than others, referring to the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, as has been narrated in the hadeeth narrated ’Irbaadh Ibn Saariyah (radiyallaahu ’anhu) [9] who said: The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said:

"I advise you all to fear Allaah and to listen to and obey (your leaders), even if he may be a slave from Habashah; For indeed, whoever from you is alive after I am gone will see many disputes and contradictions. You must therefore, stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. Stick to it firmly and beware of innovations, for all new inventions are Bid’ah and all Bid’ah is a straying from the Right Path." [10]

This is how the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned in collaboration with his Sunnah [11], the Sunnah of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs. This is because of the same point, which we mentioned previously in the Qur'ânic verse and in the hadeeth about the Saved Group.

From these three texts therefore, a system can be drawn. A system to which all Muslims in these times must adhere, and from which they must not be aloof, as we notice with so many of our contemporaries in the field of Da'wah to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. They differ with us regarding our method of referring to the understanding of the Salaf from amongst the Companions, the taabi’een [12] and those who adhere to their principles in order for us to understand the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. This in fact, is what must be adopted by each Muslim as his method, in order that he does not stray from the path of the Believers. It is not sufficient therefore, to say today, 'We are upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.'

Returning to the understanding of the venerable Salaf, however, is a guarantee and safeguard for the Muslims of today, against falling into what some of those who came after the Salaf fell into. These Muslims have differed severely, because they did not have easy access to the texts of the Sunnah, which is the explanation of the Qur’aan as the Lord of the Worlds says: "And We have sent down to you the remembrance (dhikr), so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them." [Sooratun-Nahl 16:44]

This is the major reason for the differences amongst those who preceded, even among some of the diligent leaders from amongst the scholars, ascetics and pious Muslims. But there are other reasons for these differences. The main reason is the dominance of personal desires and views of some people even though they may have had some knowledge, even some piety and devotion.

We say therefore, that there is no guarantee for the Muslims against falling into contradictions of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, except to return to the methodology of the venerable Salaf. We sincerely believe that among the reasons for the present state of the Muslims is their differences in the interpretation of the texts from the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah, due to their dependence upon other than what we call the Salafee method.

This is what we must know of the present state of the Muslims, in order to secure a return to what the Salaf of the Muslims were upon, which we see as vital for Allaah made them strong and gave them dominance in the land, as is known in the glorious history of Islaam.

This is what comes to mind presently, concerning that part of the question, that is 'the present state of the Muslim Ummah, ' Before I proceed to speak about the reasons for the weakness of the Muslim Ummah, I would like to hear from you all, or at least from some of you, that I may be satisfied…are my words and my voice coming through clearly, by the Will of Allaah, that I may follow up my speech and my answer?

"Very clearly of Shaykh of ours!"

"May Allaah grant you glad tidings…" I now continue by the Will of Allaah

By the Scholar of Hadeeth, Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee Translated by Umar Salim

THE REASONS FOR THE WEAKNESS OF THE MUSLIM UMMAH

The scholars have listed many reasons for the weakness of the Muslim Ummah. They are all aware however, or at least some of them are aware, that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) compiled these reasons in one sentence, in an authentic hadeeth when he (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "The nations will soon gather up and call upon each other to gather up against you just as the diners call upon each other to the dining plate."

Someone asked: 'Is it because of our little numbers at that time?'

The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "Certainly not, in fact, you would be numerous, but you would be like the foam of the ocean. And certainly Allaah would remove the fear of you from the hearts of your enemies, and He would certainly cast weakness into your hearts."

Someone asked: 'What is this weakness?' He (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: "Love for the worldly life and hatred for death." [13]

Indeed the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was correct, because every Muslim in his right mind can see that the love of this world is the root of all evil and it is the reason behind all wrongdoings and calamities. Why not? When it is that this is drives man to be miserly and covetous with regards to wealth and person, with which we strive in the Path of Allaah - by spending the wealth that is dear to us and by sacrificing our person which is even dearer than the wealth. This is why the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "…Beware of covetousness, for indeed covetousness destroyed those before you by causing them to spill the blood of each other and to make unlawful things lawful." [14]

As has been mentioned in many of the books of the Sunnah, among them Saheeh Muslim.

I must take this opportunity here to mention, that the making of unlawful things lawful is of two natures. The first is the indulgence in unlawful acts whilst being fully aware of their unlawfulness. This is visibly present among the Muslims today in all of its forms and types. Even the greatest of all sins, Shirk (the association of partners with Allaah and the worship of others besides Allaah) is clearly apparent in some societies and in some personalities who call upon other than Allaah in times of distress, seek other than the relief of Allaah from hardships and sacrifice to other than Allaah. There are even others who swear by other than Allaah. All of these things are considered Shirk and they are forms of Shirk which are widespread today amongst the Muslims. Most people however, and I would not say most of the common folk, but most of the learned, are not concentrating upon warning the people from these forms of Shirk and idolatry. These are the greatest of all sins, as has been mentioned in an authentic hadeeth, which states that among the greatest of sins are Shirk, murder, being unkind to parents and interest (ribaa). [15] And if you only knew ribaa, since it has become so widespread today due to the establishment of what are known today as "Banks".

In addition, among the major sins is the drinking of alcohol, the women displaying themselves, the building of mosques on gravesites and many, many more.

The second category of unlawful acts is of two further types:

That is which one indulges without knowing its ruling or that it is unlawful. This, without a doubt, is an evil which is widespread amongst many Muslims.

That in which one indulges by devising tricks to make unlawful acts lawful, just as the Jews fraudulently caught the fish, as has been mentioned in the Qur’aan - as is well-known to all - and just as their trickery in making use of fat was prohibited for them, we gather from the words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in an authentic hadeeth:

"Allaah has cursed the Jews, for the fat (of animals) was made unlawful for them, yet they melted it. Sold it and benefited from its receipts. And indeed if Allaah makes the eating of anything unlawful for a people, he also makes unlawful the receipts from its sale." [16]

This hadeeth, in spite of it being from amongst the very important Ahaadeeth, is among the Ahaadeeth that is rarely heard upon the tongues of those giving sermons and admonitions. It is a hadeeth that would save the Muslims from following into what the Jews before fell into. In addition, the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) warned against falling into what the Jews fell into, in an authentic hadeeth reported by al-Bukhaaree among others, in his book of authentic Ahaadeeth from the hadeeth narrated by Aboo Sa’eed al-Khudree (radiyallaahu ’anhu) [17] who said: 'The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "You would most certainly follow the ways of those who preceded you so completely and so literally, that even if they enter the hole of a Dabb (mastigure or lizard), you too would enter into it behind them."

We said: 'O Messenger of Allaah, the Jews and the Christians?' He said: "Whom else?" [18]

Thus I say as a warning, that this type of indulgence in unlawful acts through the slightest means of trickery, has happened to the Muslims in some of their transactions and contracts. One of the most common of these practices is what is known as the marriage of legitimacy (nikaahut-tahleel). The doer of which is cursed in the authentic Sunnah by the statement of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam):

"Allaah has cursed the legitimizer and the one for whom the woman was legitimized." [19]

Even with this being the case, there are still from 'experts' in fiqh (Islaamic jurisprudence) who permit this marriage of legitimacy, even though the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) has cursed those who indulge in it as you have just heard.

Among the things which are also widespread today, is the selling of goods on installments at an increase upon the cash price (i.e. a higher purchase). Among them also is the dealing in ’eenah transactions. [20] which is widespread in some Islaamic countries, I am sorry to say. The time however, does not permit for me to expound on all these points mentioned here. I just wanted to remind the brothers of a hadeeth that is appropriate for this occasion. This is the statement of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): "If you indulge in ’eenah transactions when trading and you start to hold on to the tails of cattle and you are satisfied to concentrate only upon farming and you have abandoned Jihaad in the Cause of Allaah, Allaah will cast a humiliation upon you which would never be lifted from you until you return to your Religion." [21]

In this Hadeeth therefore, there is an extremely clear picture of the poisons and the ills which will result from the love of this world and that it is the rat-race and the concentration upon taking all necessary steps to accumulate wealth, that has resulted in what is now the present state of the Muslims. The Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned the abandonment of Jihaad with the evil of ’eenah transactions, the holding fast to the tails of cattle and the contraction only upon farming. This abandonment of Jihaad has now become a commonplace today, encompassing all Arab and Muslim countries without exception. This is so, despite their having in their possession the means to wage Jihaad, which may not be available to the eager Muslim youths in order that they may defend their countries, their lands, even their honour and dignity.

The only natural result - the Sunnah of Allaah - and you will find no replacement for the Sunnah of Allaah, due to their falling into all sorts of contradictions and their making lawful what Allaah has made unlawful. So it is for Allaah to cast a great humiliation and degradation upon them.

This humiliation which we see has taken control of all the Muslim countries. Even if they seem free upon the surface, in fact they cannot move or act as the Book of their Lord and the Sunnah of their Prophet (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) direct them to. For example, it has been mentioned in an authentic hadeeth: "Fight the polytheists (mushrikeen) with your wealth, tongues and persons." [22]

We have now discarded Jihaad with our persons and resorted only to Jihaad with our wealth due to its prevalence amongst us and to Jihaad with our tongues due to the ease of doing so. As for Jihaad with our persons, this has become - unfortunately - among has the means. This is why the Prophet (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in this authentic hadeeth described both the ills and the cure for these illnesses. For he mentioned some examples of the ills which would befall the Muslims at the beginning of the hadeeth, then at the end he gave the cure. He said: "He would not remove it from you until you return to your Religion."

This cure is the only remedy for the Muslims if they want to retrieve their strength, pride and honour and if they want Allaah to make them superior in the land, just as He made those before them superior in the land. This is why the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "Give glad tidings to this Ummah, that it would rise up and attain dominance in the land. Whoever therefore, does an act for the Hereafter for worldly benefit, he has no portion in the Hereafter." [23]

The words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam): "…until you return to your Religion."

Gives me the opportunity to introduce the last part of the question for this Muslim nation which has been plagued with a humiliation and degradation which has never befallen it before. Allaah the Exalted says: "That is because Allaah will never change a grace which he has bestowed upon a people until they change what is in their own selves." [Sooratul An’aam 6:53]

What then is the reason for the changing of the blessings of strength from Allaah and the honour and superiority in the land which were bestowed upon the Muslims before?

The reason is that we have changed the blessings of Allaah. We have replaced them and have taken to worldly strives. We have also abandoned Jihaad in the Path of Allaah. Therefore, the logical result of all this is that if a Muslim does not help the cause of Allaah, he in return would not receive the Help of Allaah as is stated in the Words of Allaah: "If you help Allaah, He will help you." [Soorah Muhammad 47:7]

I must pause here to explain. Allaah has placed upon the tongue of his Messenger (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) that cure for this chronic disease which has befallen the Muslims in all of the Islaamic lands. That cure is to return to their Religion which is Islaam as you all know and as Allaah explains: "…And whoever seeks a religion other than Islaam, it will never be accepted of him and in the Hereafter, he will be one of the losers." [Soorah Aali-‘Imraan 3:85]

And as He mentioned in another statement: "This day I have completed your Religion and completed my favours upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion." [Sooratul-Maa’idah 5:3]

It pleases me here to take the opportunity to explain what the Imaam, ash-Shaatibee (rahimahullaah) said in his great book called 'al-I’tisaam' when mentioning what Imaam Maalik [24] said: "Whoever introduces an innovation into Islaam and thinks that it is good, then he has indeed claimed that Muhammad (sallAllaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) was deceitful in conveying his message". Read if you like the Words of Allaah:

"This day I have completed your Religion and completed my favours upon you and I have chosen for you Islaam as your Religion." [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:3]

The last of this Ummah would not be restored and put in order, except by what put the first of this Ummah in order. Whatever was not part of the Religion at that time, cannot be part of the Religion today." [25]

Then Imaam ash-Shaatibee said: "We used to use this authentic narration from Imaam Maalik - The Imaam of Daarul-Hijrah (Madeenah) - as evidence to prove that it is not permissible for any Muslim to introduce into the Religion something new, however small or insignificant it may be, whether it be in character, worship or belief. We used to use this tradition as evidence, relying upon the Noble Qur'ânic statement which states that Allaah completed his favours upon us by the completion of our Religion which is al-Islaam." [26]

So what about us today? We have gone so far away from Islaam - not only in those things that we call the Sunnah, which is contradicted by Innovation. In fact, we have drifted totally away from Islaam. We have drifted away, not only in the things which some may call 'secondary matters, not important', but we have drifted away from the Islaam which Allaah has ordained for us as our Religion. We have strayed in our legal judgements, our thoughts, even in our beliefs.

If however, we sincerely want to administer this cure that Allaah has prescribed for us upon the tongue of His Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), which is to return to the Religion, then how should we understand this Religion?

So there are two understandings known to the scholars, who are aware of the differences existing between the past and present day scholars. There are two schools of thought - one affiliated to the Salaf and the other affiliated to the khalaf. Those affiliated to the khalaf admit that the way of the Salaf is sounder and safer. They claim however, that the way of the khalaf is greater in knowledge and wiser. So what do you think? Shall we take our beliefs firstly from the Righteous Salaf or from those who admit that the way of the Salaf is sounder, but that their way is more knowledgeable and wiser?

Without a doubt, it is clear from the evidences we mentioned previously that it is compulsory for us in these times to align firstly our beliefs to that of the Salafus-Saalih. We must also return to what they were upon in legal matters and in matters of character and deportment. We must return to the Salaf in these matters. The Salaf, who did not see any other recourse in times of dispute, except to depend upon the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah. Allaah states in the Qur‘aan: "And by your Lord! They do not truly believe, until they seek your judgement (O Muhammad) in whatever they dispute about. They do not find any reservations in their hearts about your judgement, but instead submit totally to it." [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 4:65]

Today unfortunately, we have not seen those groups and parties agreeing with us in administering this cure. For there is no remedy for the Muslims to return to their pride and strength, except through their return to their Religion. This point is a point about which no one from amongst the Muslims disputes. This is so regardless of his alliances and regardless of his affiliation to a particular group, or regardless of his particular school of law. The dispute arises however, in the understanding of the Religion.

As I have mentioned before, there are two schools of thought, that of the Salaf and that of the khalaf. The Salaf never disputed nor disagreed about the fundamentals of the Religion. They never disputed that fact that in times of dispute, the matter is referred to the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). Therefore, they sort their judgements from these two sources and they submitted totally to these judgements as we have mentioned in the previous Qur‘aanic verse. Differences occurred amongst them primarily due to what I have mentioned previously, which is that a Hadeeth of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) may not have reached one of them. So he may act as he sees fit based upon the knowledge that he has. Thus he may fall into unintentional error at times. This is why the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said in an authentic hadeeth:

"If an arbitrator gives a verdict based upon his personal reasoning (ijtihaad) and he is correct in that verdict, then he receives two rewards. And if he makes an error then he receives only one." [27]

Therefore it is compulsory that the Muslims return back to this principle about which there should be no difference of opinion. I mean the principle of following the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah upon the understanding of the righteous predecessors.

If we agree to return to this system, and use it as our course of action and methodology and if we agree to cooperate, firstly in understanding this methodology and secondly upon the implementation of it, then there comes something of extreme importance which is the summary of the answer to the question about the path to progress.

It is compulsory upon all of the Muslims today to first have a proper understanding of their Religion, then to implement it correctly, each person according to his ability. The rulers are different from the ruled. The rulers have the highest authority, while the authority of the ruled is limited. If both the rulers and the ruled take up their responsibility therefore, firstly understanding Islaam correctly, then secondly implementing this Islaam totally - each according to his ability, as I said before - I believe that one day the Believers will rejoice due to the victory to Allaah.

I see many Islaamic Du’aat (callers to Islaam) who constantly call upon the governments to rule in accordance with what Allaah has sent down - and this is a genuine call without a doubt. For Allaah has said: "And whoever does not rule by what Allaah has revealed, then these are the disbelievers." [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:44]

And in another statement: "…then these are the rebellious." [Sooratul-Maa’idah 5:47]

And in yet another statement: "…such are the oppressors." [Sooratul-Maa’idah 5:45]

It is true that the governments should rule by the implementation of Islaam and their constitutions, laws and upon their people. This is true and compulsory. However, we would like to remind those individuals who are calling to this statement, that they should not forget their own selves. As Allaah states: "O you who believe! Take care of your own selves, no harm can come to you from those who have gone astray if you follow right guidance." [Sooratul-Maa‘idah 5:105]

So it is obligatory upon every Muslim to truly understand Islaam and enjoin it to the best of his ability upon himself and upon those whom he has responsibility and authority. So the Messenger of Allaah has said: "You are all guardians and responsible for your wards and things under your care." [28]

The man therefore is a guardian and is responsible for his dependants. The woman is also responsible and a guardian over her dependants and so on.

Some of the du’aat refer to this self-training by this statement which was made by one of them: 'Establish the Islaamic state in your heart and it will be established for you upon your land.' I repeat: 'Establish the Islaamic state in your heart and it will be established for you upon your land.'

This statement pleases us much. However, we are not pleased with those who are affiliated with the one who advocated these words. This is because they do not pay much attention to it, nor do they place any importance upon its implementation. So doing that requires a great effort on their part. It requires that they return to the Qur‘aan and the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) as they were understood by our righteous predecessors.

So I say that the return to the Religion - which is the remedy needed to cure what has befallen the Muslims today requires two things from us. I call them:

at-Tasfiyah (Purification)

at-Tarbiyah.

When I say 'tasfiyah', I mean that it is incumbent upon the scholars or the learned who wish to implement the correct system of understanding Islaam as it was understood by the righteous predecessors, that they should all work towards cleansing this Islaam. Cleansing it from that which entered into it and of that which it has no part. Indeed it is as free of things as the wolf was from the blood of Ya‘qoob’s son [29] as they say. Then they should call to this. Whether it be in matters of belief (‘aqeedah), laws about which there are many differences of opinion, or character or behviour. Purification of the Religion must take place in all aspects of this Islaam that Allaah completed for us, as we mentioned previously, and which we re-emphasize with the Hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam):

"I did not neglect anything by which you would draw closer to Allaah and keep far away from the Hellfire, except that I ordered you to do it. And I did not neglect anything which would keep you far away from Allaah and draw you closer to the Fire, except that I prevented you from doing it." [30]

For those wishing to follow this correct path, something must be made clear. Many of the scholars of the past and the present are aware that a lot of things entered into the Sunnah, or which it has no part. This occurred even in the first century when some deviant sects started raising their voices and calling to that which contradicted the Qur’aan and the Sunnah by following their vain desires. One of the Khawaarij [31] for example, after being guided by Allaah to the Sunnah said: 'Look carefully at where you take your Religion, for if we liked something we used to make it a Hadeeth.' For this reason, Ibn Sireen said:

"Pay attention to where you take your Religion from." [32]

This statement has been reported as a hadeeth of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), but in fact, it is not a hadeeth, for the chain of narrators stops at Ibn Sireen. [33]

This is also why some scholars of Hadeeth have said:

"Al-Isnaad (the chain of narrators) is an essential part of the Religion. Had it not been for the Isnaad, anyone would have said whatever he wished." [34]

This is a matter about which there is consensus amongst the scholars in theory. I know fully well what I mean when I say 'in theory.' That is because I must mention a bitter truth. In practice, the scholars did not pay much attention to this Isnaad as they should have done. Indeed only a small group of scholars paid attention to it. Some of them were: the Imaam, Ahmad Ibn Hanbal [35], the Imaam Yahyaa Ibn Ma‘een [36], ‘Alee Ibnul-Madeenee [37] and their students such as Imaam al-Bukhaaree [38] and Muslim [39] and others from amongst the scholars of Hadeeth, critics and those who gave character appraisals of the narrators of Hadeeth. This being the case, it follows that these are the ones upon whom one must rely in order to fulfill this task of purification of the Sunnah - to which we must return - after cleansing.

The books of the Sunnah today are widely available. This is due to Allaah’s complete care and concern for the Muslim community - and in keeping with this promise - He mentions in the Qur’aan:

"Verily, We have sent down the remembrance (dhikr) and surely We will preserve it." [Sooratul-Hijr 15:9]

On this occasion I must make a point. This noble aayah, when it states that "We have sent down the Dhikr and we shall surely protect it." Some people who do not specialize in the Sunnah, nor do they give it much credit are of the wrong opinion that the protection granted here encompasses the Qur’aan only. Let me say, yes Allaah has mentioned the dhikr in this aayah, for He has promised to preserve the words and letters of the Qur’aan. He has however, guarded its meanings by the Sunnah of His Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam).

The true accomplishment of this purification in not possible therefore, except through the scholars of Hadeeth. Consequently, the understanding of the Qur’aan cannot be established, except through this purified Sunnah. If not, the Muslims will fall into what those before, like the groups other than the Saved Sect, fell into. This is because the Qur’aan is as ‘Umar Ibnul-Khattaab (radiyallaahu ‘anhu) said:

"The Qur’aan can be interpreted in many different ways."

This is why Allaah stated:

"And We have sent down to you the remembrance (dhikr), so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them." [Sooratun-Nahl 16:44]

We have sent down the Dhikr to you, O Muhammad, that you may explain to the people with your Sunnah, what has been sent down to them.

This verse therefore, points to there being an explainer and a thing explained. The things explained in the revealed Qur’aan, which is referred to as the Dhikr and the explainer is the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) who is spoken to in this statement.

There is no way for the Qur’aan to be understood except through the Sunnah - the authentic Sunnah. That is why the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) warned against two things, in order to fulfill this explanation in a true and correct manner. The first thing against which he warned his followers against is the reporting of things of him that he did not say:

"Whoever deliberately lies upon me, then surely let him occupy his seat in the Fire."

In another narration it states:

Whoever says about me something which I did not say, then surely let him occupy his seat in the Fire." [40]

This is the first issue against which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned his followers.

The second issue which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) brought to the attention of his followers is that it is obligatory to refer to the Sunnah just as one refers to the Qur’aan. That is why the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

"I certainly do not want to find any one of you reclining upon his couch and saying that when there comes to you a command that I gave or something which I have prohibited: 'I do not know. What we have found lawful in the Book of Allaah, we accept it as lawful and what we have found in it to be unlawful, we accept it as unlawful.'" [41]

By combining these two issues which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) warned, we would be able to understand the remedy which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) prescribed as the cure for the ills that have befallen us from all sides. This is in reference to the first point about purification.

2 The second point to which we refer is training (tarbiyah) - after the scholars have done the necessary purification - and I have already explained what I mean by this. They must accompany this purification with training their families and their dependants in accordance with this pure Islaam. This is also so as not to become from amongst those who do not practice what they preach. Indeed our Lord has said:

"O you who believe! Why do you say that which you do not do. Most hateful in the Sight of Allaah is that you say that which you do not do." [Sooratus-Saff 61:2-3]

For this reason we see the severe warning to those who do not work according to their knowledge. For the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) has mentioned in a Hadeeth:

"Give glad tidings to this Ummah that it would rise up and be established in the land. So whoever does a deed of the Hereafter for a worldly benefit, he has no portion in the Hereafter." [42]

I want - at the conclusion of this speech - to explain that in the pathway to progress we must avoid the unlawful acts which you all know for certain like some of the examples we mentioned before, such as Shirk, murder, Ribaa and so on.

I would like to discuss in particular, the first disease which the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned in the Hadeeth of ’eenah trading transactions. This is because this disease is widespread in some countries and most of the people are as the Lord of the worlds says:

"They do not know…"



‘Eenah trading is a type of transaction that involves Ribaa which is unlawful. There are unfortunately some people who conduct this type of business upon the presumption that it is legally permissible. ‘Eenah trading is known to the scholars and it derives its name from ‘ayn meaning an object or actual thing.

A person - Mr. B - comes to a car merchant - Mr. C - for example and inquires about then buys a car. He buys this car upon installments, not cash, - for, say twenty thousand dollars. Mr. B who has just purchased this car upon installments, then returns to the merchant - Mr. C - form whom he bought the car and offers to sell it for cash.

Mr. C - realizes that Mr. B does not want a car, rather he wants money. So, the two men now agree upon a cash price for the car of - let’s say eighteen thousand dollars. Thus Mr. B who purchased the car for installments has just resold it for eighteen thousand dollars.

Mr. B now goes away having a debt of twenty thousand dollars, when in fact he has only taken eighteen thousand dollars.

This type of transaction in the ‘eenah trading that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibited. So it is very clear to those who do not follow their vain desires or at least do not follow ‘eenah trading transactions. The true picture behind this type of transactions is that the borrower gets less than is recorded against him. There is no difference in this in which ribaa is disguised as trade and if he had gone and said: 'Lend me eighteen thousand dollars and I will give you back twenty thousand dollars. And why is this so? Because the borrower receives less cash than what he is required to repay. Then what is the difference between this and ‘eenah trading? This sale here was only used as a means of making ribaa permissible. This is exactly what the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) warned us against in some hadeeths which were mentioned before. That is, his (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) prohibiting us from following in the footsteps of those who went before us. He singled out the Jews specifically. For Allaah made fat unlawful for them, as the Lord of the Worlds said in the Qur’aan:

"Due to the wrongdoings of the Jews, we made them unlawful for them certain good things which had been previously made lawful for them." [Sooratun-Nisaa’ 4:160]

We made unlawful for them some good things which had previously been made lawful for them. Amongst these good things which were made unlawful by this Qur’aanic injunction was fat - as was mentioned before in the Hadeeth:

"Allaah has cursed the Jews, for the fat (of animals) was made unlawful for them, yet they melted it. Sold it and benefited from its receipts. And indeed if Allaah makes the eating of anything unlawful for a people, he also makes unlawful the receipts from its sale." [43]

Here we find that the Jews have played with a legal ruling - the prohibition of eating fat. Allaah is all-Knowing and all-Wise. Due to the wrongdoings of the Jews, He made fat unlawful for them. When a Jew killed a fat sheep, he would only eat the red meat and throw away the fat in keeping with the injunction of Allaah. But they did not have patience with this legal ruling. So they devised a trick to make the fat lawful. They therefore melted the fat - this is what is meant by "so they disguised it". They melted it by placing it in pots and lighting fire below it. The fat therefore, took a different shape. The Shaytaan (devil) whispered to the Jews and made this act seem pleasing to them, that the fat had now changed from being fat. They full well knew that it was still fat in its nature, composition and taste. Then it was merely the shape that was changed - in order to eat it - as is said in some countries. By this change however, they made lawful what Allaah had made unlawful.

The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not relate to us this story of the Jews' making the fat lawful by this trick, nor did Allaah relate to us the story of the Jews and their trickery in catching fish on Saturday by trapping them in the bay as has been mentioned in some exegesis of the Qur’aan - Allaah and his Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) did not relate to us these stories as mere events in History, but indeed they related it for the very reason that is mentioned by Allaah in the Qur’aan:

"Indeed in their stories there is a lesson for men of understanding." [Soorah Yoosuf 12:166]

The lesson therefore, in these two stories - the story of the Jews and the fish and that of the Jews with the fat - is that we should not fall into what they fall into by devising tricks to get around what Allaah has prohibited. ‘Eenah transactions therefore, were made unlawful by the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) so that the Muslims do not fall into devising tricks to get around the unlawfulness of ribaa - the picture of which is to take a loan of less than you are required to repay - by disguising it opnely behind the guise of sale as the Jews disguised the fat when they changed its shape.

When I say these things however, I am aware that there are many scholars who have agreed that ’eenah trading transactions are unlawful. There are others too, who because they may not have heard the Hadeeth, or they do not think that it is an authentic Hadeeth - because the science of Hadeeth is not their field of specialization - they say this type of trading is permissible due to the use of the term 'trade' in these transactions. The people of knowledge, however know that the mere presence of the word 'trade' in this transaction does not make it trade, except that it is not unlawful legally.

If we go back to the Hadeeth, we see that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned ’eenah trading as the first of a number of illnesses which would befall the Muslims. Amongst these illnesses are: the love of the worldly things and the abandonment of Jihaad in the cause of Allaah. We must therefore learn from this Hadeeth, and not fall into that against which we were warned, nor into those diseases which the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) mentioned. That is, if we want to return to the position that our Lord wants for us. As He says:

"But honour belongs to Allaah, His Messenger (Muhammad) and to the Believers." [Sooratul-Munaafiqoon 63:8]

This is what I want to say in answer to these questions…

We ask Allaah to allow us and you all to understand Islaam properly - in the light of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah and the understanding of the Salaf. And we ask Him to grant us all - both the rulers and the ruled - the success of working by this Islaam.

I ask Allaah, for He is al-Ahad (the One), as-Samad (the Self-Sufficient). He who begets not, nor was begotten and there is none comparable to him - to accept our supplication and to give us victory over our enemies. Verily He is the all-Hearing, the One Able to Answer. And all praise is due to Allaah.



Footnotes:

[1] An authentic (saheeh) hadeeth is one in which the following conditions have been met: (1) There must be an unbroken chain of narrators leading back to the Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). (2) Each individual in the chain must be recognized as being a mature, trustworthy Muslim of sound mind and character. (3) Each of the narrators must be recognized as being perfectly accurate in his transmission of hadeeths. (4) The hadeeth must not contain something which contradicts something reported by someone who is more trustworthy. (5) There must not be anything in the hadeeth which may cause suspicion about its authenticity.

[2] Aboo ‘Abdur Rahmaan ‘Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood, was among the pioneers of Islaam and among the major companions of Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) in both knowledge and stature. He made the hijrah to both Habashah and Madeenah and witnessed with the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), the battles of Badr, ’Uhud, and al-Khandaq. He was also present at the Pledge of Allegiance at Ridwaan, among other great events. He was also one of the legal experts among the Companions. He died in the year 23H.

[3] Ahmad (1/435, 465), an-Nisaa’ee (no. 184), ad-Daarimee (1/67-68). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Sharhul-‘Aqeedatit-Tahaawiyyah (no. 810).

[4] Related by at-Tirmidthee (no. 2641). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (no. 1348).

[5] Related by al-Haythamee in Majma’uz-Zawaa‘id (1/189). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami‘ (52/9).

[6] A hadeeth that is graded hasan is one in which the conditions of a saheeh hadeeth have been met, except that one of the narrators in the chain of narrators has not attained the level of perfect accuracy as the other narrators have. Thus, the hadeeth is demoted from the level of saheeh to that of hasan.

[7] A hadeeth is considered to be mutawaatir when it has been narrated by such a large number of narrators, in each level of the chain of narrators, that common sense can tell that it was impossible for these individuals to have agreed upon the fabrication of a hadeeth.

[8] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 2562).

[9] ’Irbaadh Ibn Saariyah as-Sulamee, Aboo Najeeh, a famous Companion of the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) from amongst the poor called Ahlus-Suffah. These were those poor Muslims who made the hijrah from Makkah to Madeenah. As they had no house of their own, they took up lodging at a sheltered portion of the Prophet’s Mosque. He was among those Companions about whom Allaah sent down the following aayah:

"Nor (is there any blame) who came to you to be provided with mounts and when you said: 'I can find no mounts for you.' They turned back with their eyes overflowing with tears of grief, because they could not find anything to spend (for Jihaad)" [Sooratut-Tawbah 9:92]

He reported a number of hadeeths from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), which are to be found in the more popular books of Hadeeth literature.

[10] Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 4607) and by at-Tirmidthee (no. 2676). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Irwaa’ul-Ghaleel (no. 2455).

[11] The Sunnah involves the speech, actions and tacit approvals of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

[12] Those Muslims meeting the Companions of the Messenger of Allaah, but not meeting the Messenger (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) himself.

[13] Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 4297) and in al-Mishkaat (3/1475). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (no. 957) and in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 8183).

[14] Related by Muslim (8/18).

[15] The text of the hadeeth is reported by al-Bukhaaree (8/7), Muslim (1/64) and by al-Haythamee in Majma’uz-Zawaa`id (4/130) and it is as follows: From Abee Hurayrah who said that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) said: "Avoid the seven great destructive sins." The people inquired: 'O Messenger of Allaah! What are they?' He said: "To join others in worship along with Allaah (shirk), sorcery, killing a person whose killing Allaah has prohibited, except in legal judgement, the indulgence in interest (ribaa), the unjust utilization of the wealth of the orphan, fleeing from the enemy at the time of fighting, falsely accusing chaste women of illegal sexual inercourse."

[16] Related by al-Bukhaaree, Muslim and Aboo Daawood. It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 5107).

[17] He is Aboo Sa’eed Sa’d Ibn Maalik, he was from the tribe of al-Khazraj of Madeenah. He was too young to take part in the battle of ’Uhud, in which his father was martyred. He went on however, to participate in the battles which followed ’Uhud. He reported quite a number of hadeeths from the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam). He reputed to be the most knowledgeable Companion about the affairs of the other Companions of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam).

[18] Related by al-Bukhaaree (9/422).

[19] Related by Aboo Daawood (2/555). It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami‘ (no. 5101).

[20] This term is explained later on by the Shaykh (hafidhahullaah).

[21] Related by Aboo Daawood (no. 3462), it was authenticated by the shaykh (hafidhahullaah) in as-Saheehah (no. 11).

[22] Related by Aboo Daawood (2/695) and authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in al-Mishkaat (no. 3821) and in Saheehul-Jaami’ (3090).

[23] Related by al-Bayhaqee and al-Haakim said that its chain of narrators was authentic. It has been authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Ahkaamul-Janaa`iz (no. 52) and in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 2825).

[24] The famous Imaam to whom the Maalikee school of Islaamic law is attributed. He was renown for his knowledge and piety. He studied under more than nine-hundred scholars and did not give a single fatwaa (Islaamic verdict), until some seventy scholar attested to his ability to do so. He was born in the year 93H and died in the year 199H. May Allaah have mercy upon him.

[25] Related in ash-Shifaa` of Qaadee `Iyyaadh (2/676).

[26] al-I’tisaam (2/35)

[27] Related by al-Bukhaaree (13/318) and Muslim (no. 1716).

[28] Related by al-Bukhaaree (no. 730) and Muslim (no. 3396).

[29] This is in reference to the story of Yoosuf (’alayhis salaam) in the Qur’aan. He was put into a well by his brothers who told his father, Ya’qoob (‘alayhis salaam) that a wolf had devoured Yoosuf.

[30] Related in the Sunan of Imaam ash-Shaafi‘ee (1/14), and by al-Bayhaqee (7/76), and by al-Khateeb in al-Faqeeh wal-Mutafaqqih (1/93). See shaykh Saleem al-Hilaalee's introduction to his checking on Hidaayatus Sultaan for a proper checking of this hadeeth.

[31] Khawaarij: Dissenters of dissidents who broke away from the rule of the Caliph, ‘Alee Ibn Abee Taalib.

[32] Related in Sharh Saheeh Muslim (1/87) of Imaam an-Nawawee.

[33] Muhammad Ibn Sireen al-Ansaaree of Basrah in ‘Iraaq. He was from amongst the taabi‘een and was known for his piety, competence and knowledge. He was strict upon related only the words of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instead of just their meanings. This great scholar died in the year 110H.

[34] Related from Ibnul-Mubaarak in Sharaf Ashaabul-Hadeeth (1/15) with the checking of Aboo ‘Abdur-Rahmaan Mahmood.

[35] Ahmad Ibn Muhammad Ibn Hanbal, the famous Imaam to which the Hanbalee school of law in Islaamic jurisprudence is attributed. He dies in the year 241H.

[36] Yahyaa Ibn Ma‘een of Baghdaad was a famous Haafidh and competent scholar. He was considered to be the Imaam of the science of Jarh wat-Ta‘deel (Character and knowledge appraisal). He died in Madeenah in the year 133H at the age of about seventy.

[37] ‘Alee Ibnul-Madeenee of Basrah, ‘Iraaq. He was another trustworthy and competent Imaam. He was considered to be the most knowledgeable person in Hadeeth of his day. Al-Bukhaaree said of him: "I never felt inferior in front of anyone except ‘Alee Ibnul-Madeenee." His shaykh and teacher, Ibn ‘Uyaynah said about him: "I used to learn more from him than he did from me." An-Nisaa’ee said about him: "It was as though Allaah created him for Hadeeth." This great scholar died in the year 134H, may Allaah have mercy upon him.

[38] Muhammad Ibn Ismaa‘eel al-Bukhaaree was born in the year 191H in Bukhaaraa, Turkistan. He traveled to Makkah when he was sixteen years of age and he stayed in the Hijaaz (Makkah and Madeenah) for six years before moving onto some other places in search of knowledge. This he gained without a doubt, for he memorized two hundred thousand Hadeeths of the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). He also met a number of scholars, amongst them were Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal and ‘Alee Ibnul-Madeenee. His book of authentic Hadeeth is well-known to all. He died in the year 256H at the age of 62, may Allaah have mercy upon him.

[39] Abul-Husayn Muslim Ibnul-Hajjaaj from Naysaaboor. He traveled extensively to gain knowledge and meet with a number of scholars. Among these scholars was Imaam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. He wrote many books, the most popular of which is his Saheeh which is second only to Saheehul-Bukhaaree in authenticity. The Imaam, Muslim died in Naysaaboor, in the year 261H at the age of 57, may Allaah have mercy upon him.

[40] Both of these narrations are reported by al-Bukhaaree (1/84) and by Aboo Daawood (3/1036).

[41] Related by Ahmad (4/132) and Aboo Daawood (no. 5064) and by at-Tirmidthee (no. 3662). Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir gives a lengthy discussion upon it in his checking of ar-Risaalah (no. 19) by Imaam ash-Shaafi‘ee.

[42] Related by al-Bayhaqee and al-Haakim said that its chain of narrators was authentic. It has been authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Ahkaamul-Janaa`iz (no. 52) and in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 2825).

[43] Related by al-Bukhaaree, Muslim and Aboo Daawood. It was authenticated by Shaykh al-Albaanee in Saheehul-Jaami’ (no. 5107).

Baraaka Allaahu lak yah akhee.

@codebase
When you talk of Salafis who do you mean? Do you mean the classical Salafis or the present day Salafis of Saudi who dismantle the Shariah and send the true schloars to prisons.

@Codebase

When you clarify your stand with Frizy, I would like to know, what qualifies one to be a salafi?

@Frizy

Frizy:

@codebase
When you talk of Salafis who do you mean? Do you mean the classical Salafis or the present day Salafis of Saudi who dismantle the Shariah and send the true schloars to prisons.

What do you mean by dismantling the Sharia'?

Hope you are no treading the path of

http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_Deception.pdf

lekanakel:

@Frizy
What do you mean by dismantling the Sharia'?

Hope you are no treading the path of

http://www.salafimanhaj.com/pdf/SalafiManhaj_Deception.pdf

Well I never got to read that before but that Sheikh happens to be someone I know very well and he is one of the few scholars who dear say truth. I will go through the article but whatever it may contain may go against "the true ruling" for the devils use communications to fool the multitude.

@frizy

I read some, not all, of that link. Please approach it with an open mind filled only with the fear of Allah.

Well I never got to read that before but that Sheikh happens to be someone I know very well and he is one of the few scholars who dear say truth. I will go through the article but whatever it may contain may go against "the true ruling" for the devils use communications to fool the multitude.

Please digest it ASAP

Assalam Alaikum Warahmatu Llah.

The salafi (somtimes called Wahhabiyya) Daaw'ah has come of age, it has emerged as the only group that teaches the true islam as was practiced by the prophet (peace be upon him) and our pious predecessors.

The call to the to this part was revived in the 18th century by the great mujadid shaykh Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (1703-92) rahimahullah. His venture was supported by the then Muhammad ibn Al-Saud rahimahullah. None of us would doubt the fact that his mission then was to rid off the then order of the day which were superstitions, blind allegiance, innovations and worshipping of shuyuks.

From my deduction i believe any true muslim is a salafi, ahlul sunna or ahlil hadeeth.

Jazakhullah Khairan

You have answered my question

babs787:

Please digest it ASAP

After reading the link @codebase highlighted one can not but wonder how many love being deceived by the propaganda used by the media. Here is a refutal by the Sheikh himself from the respond of codebase. I took my time before responding, and please try and investigate a fact particularly about geniune Islam than running to those who want it compromised.
   


Shaikh Faisal - Peak of the Matter

  Add your comment 
A Letter From Sheikh Faisal
   Assalamu alaikum Brother XXXXXX, I hope this mail finds u in good health and iman.  Thank u for your recent phone call updating me on the Islamic situation in XXXXXXX. 

Our quarrel with the Saudi salafis is not a simple one like many people would like to believe.  Our quarrel is about the validity of the shahada of the Saudi salafis itself.  I have strong doubts about their Islam to an extent where i wouldn't even dishonor myself by going to the janaaza of a salafi, due to 4 major reasons. The first reason  is that they go against the ijmaa of the ummah.  Allah has promised the Hell-fire for anyone who is guilty of going against the ijmaa of the Muslims.  Hence Allah said: 

And whosoever contradicts and opposes the Rasool after the guidance was made clear to him and follows a path other than the way of the believers, We shall keep him in the path which he has chosen and throw him in Hell --- what an evil abode! surah an-Nisaa 4:115

All the scholars of tafseer agree unanimously among themselves that the above-mentioned ayah is clear evidence that it is incumbent on all those who claim to be Muslims to abide by the ijmaa of the ummah.  unfortunately the Saudi salafis are a stray sect because they are guilty of contradicting the ijmaa of the ummah hence they have made up their own islam.  This puts them in the category of the zindeeq {heretic}  Other famous zindeeqs of this century are the Nation of Islam started by Elija Muhammad as well as the  Berailwia, Ahmadia/ Qadiyania, the ismailia/Agha khania etc etc.

I will now outline to you the ijmaa which the Saudi salafis are guilty of going against.  Ibn kathir and Ibn Taymiyya [rh] said:

"It is known of Islam by necessity and it is the agreement of all the Muslims that if you dismantle the sharia it makes you become a kafir.  Then ibn kathir elaborated and said:  "And such a person should be fought till he returns to the sharia of Muhammad {saw}"

Please review tafseer ibn kathir for the explanation of maida 50 for the evidence of what was said about the ijmaa of the muslims.  Also see fatawa vol 28 pp.524 for the evidence of ibn Taymiyya's verdict on this crucial issue.
 
What causes me to abhor and despise the saudi salafis with a passion is because they claim to follow the 2 noble scholars ibn kathir and ibn Taymiyya yet they rebel against their ijmaa.  This is hypocrisy of the highest order.

The other issue we have with the Saudi salafis is that they do not practice al walaa wal baraa i.e. loving and hating for the sake of Allah.  Al walaa wal baraa is one of the 7 conditions of shahada.  The salafis give their allegiance to the greatest enemies of Islam in return for materialism.  About people like these Allah said:

And you love wealth fanatically.  surah al fajr 89:20

But you prefer the life of this world even though the Hereafter is better and everlasting.  surah al a'laa 87:16-17

The above-mentioned ayah is clear evidence that some so-called muslims their major concern is only the pomp and glitter of this world and not to spread the pure teachings of Muhammad {saw}

[b]The 3rd issue we have with the Saudi salafis is that they claim that tawheed Haakimiyya is not an aspect of the Deen.  They even claim that tawheed haakimiyya is a bid'ah [cursed innovation] [/b]The Saudi salafis are so jahil they do not know that Muhammad Ibrahim [the shaikh of bin baaz] said in page 6 of his book tahkeem al qawaaneen: 

"Tawheed haakimiyya is the twin half of tawheed ibaada."

Some of them happen to be aware of this fatwa of Muhammad ibrahim so they reprint his book and remove this precious and crucial fatwa which was meant to guide the ummah of Muhammad.

When prophet Yusuf was in prison he taught tawheed to the inmates in prison and he taught them all 4 branches of tawheed.  hence he said: 

"There is no law-giver except Allah."  { inil hukmu illa lillah}surah yusuf 12:40

The above-mentioned Qur'anic verse represents Tawheed haakimiyya hence anyone who claims that its not an aspect of the deen is guilty of rejecting faith in the very Qur'an itself and this means the salafis who reject Allah's haakimiyya are infidels outside the fold of islam.

The 4th issue we the members of ahlus sunnah wal jamaa'ah have with the salafis is that they do not reject the taghoot.  In order for a person to be a Muslim he/she has to reject the taghoot and then believe in Allah.  To believe in Allah is not enough to make us Muslims.  The biggest taghoot in our midst today is the apostate regimes who have given their walaa {allegiance} to the USA, UK, Israel, UN, IMF, NATO and all the other dajjaal forces on the earth. 

The salafi scholars have reinterpreted Islam to cement the thrones of these apostate leaders in exchange for the material things of this world i.e. fame & fortune.  Allah used 2 words to describe the scholars of the salafi movement in the Qur'an, donkeys and dogs.  These descriptions are for all the wicked scholars of this ummah.  A donkey doesn't know the value of the knowledge which it has on its back and a dog if you feed him he lolls his tongue out and if you drive him away he still lolls his tongue out.  Because the scholars of the Saudi salafis are on the payroll of these apostate regimes its haram to take your deen from them.  They have become wicked scholars.  About them ibn Mubaarak said;

"If you see a scholar going to the gates of the leader don't trust him with your deen because he is a thief"

Allah said about rejecting the taghoot:

And whosoever rejects the taghoot and then believes in Allah, then he has grasped the strongest of handhold that will never break. surah Baqara 2:256

Not only did the Saudi salafis refuse to reject the taghoot but they have reinterpreted Islam to protect the regimes of these taghoots.  This is apostasy of the highest order.  Since the salafi as a movement have a problem with me Shaikh Faisal I suggest they accept my challenge for a public debate on the subject of Authentic Tawheed.  The salafis of Nigeria accepted this challenge and the debate is now on the internet for the world to see who is lying and who is speaking the truth.  If the salafis refuse to accept my challenge for a public debate on this crucial subject [Tawheed] which is the core of our deen, we shall dismiss them as a bunch of hypocrites & apostates who are there to lead the Muslims astray with their satanic interpretation of Islam.  This is my answer to the salafis all over the world who have a problem with my aqeeda {creed}


Yours in Deen,

SHAIKH FAISAL

P.S.
assalamu alaikum bro XXXXXX.  I forgot to mention a crucial point in my article about the salafis.  the point is they are the real khawaarij yet they are calling everyone khawaarij.  The hadith said the main sign of a khawaarij is that they leave alone the kuffar and kill the Muslims.  These apostate regimes of the talafis allow the usa army who are crusader to use their land and airspace to kill 1000s of muslims in iraq & afghanistan so who are the real khawaarij, who are the real dogs of jahannam? 

Frizy:

After reading the link @codebase highlighted one can not but wonder how many love being deceived by the propaganda used on the media. Here is a refutal of by the Sheikh himself from the respond of codebase. I took my time before responding, and please try and investigate a fact particularly about geniune Islam than running to those who want it compromised.



Shaikh Faisal - Peak of the Matter

Add your comment
A Letter From Sheikh Faisal
Assalamu alaikum Brother XXXXXX, I hope this mail finds u in good health and iman. Thank u for your recent phone call updating me on the Islamic situation in XXXXXXX.
Our quarrel with the Saudi salafis is not a simple one like many people would like to believe. Our quarrel is about the validity of the shahada of the Saudi salafis itself. I have strong doubts about their Islam to an extent where i wouldn't even dishonor myself by going to the janaaza of a salafi, due to 4 major reasons. The first reason is that they go against the ijmaa of the ummah. Allah has promised the Hell-fire for anyone who is guilty of going against the ijmaa of the Muslims. Hence Allah said:

And whosoever contradicts and opposes the Rasool after the guidance was made clear to him and follows a path other than the way of the believers, We shall keep him in the path which he has chosen and throw him in Hell --- what an evil abode! surah an-Nisaa 4:115

All the scholars of tafseer agree unanimously among themselves that the above-mentioned ayah is clear evidence that it is incumbent on all those who claim to be Muslims to abide by the ijmaa of the ummah. unfortunately the Saudi salafis are a stray sect because they are guilty of contradicting the ijmaa of the ummah hence they have made up their own islam. This puts them in the category of the zindeeq {heretic} Other famous zindeeqs of this century are the Nation of Islam started by Elija Muhammad as well as the Berailwia, Ahmadia/ Qadiyania, the ismailia/Agha khania etc etc.

I will now outline to you the ijmaa which the Saudi salafis are guilty of going against. Ibn kathir and Ibn Taymiyya [rh] said:

"It is known of Islam by necessity and it is the agreement of all the Muslims that if you dismantle the sharia it makes you become a kafir. Then ibn kathir elaborated and said: "And such a person should be fought till he returns to the sharia of Muhammad {saw}"

Please review tafseer ibn kathir for the explanation of maida 50 for the evidence of what was said about the ijmaa of the muslims. Also see fatawa vol 28 pp.524 for the evidence of ibn Taymiyya's verdict on this crucial issue.

What causes me to abhor and despise the saudi salafis with a passion is because they claim to follow the 2 noble scholars ibn kathir and ibn Taymiyya yet they rebel against their ijmaa. This is hypocrisy of the highest order.

The other issue we have with the Saudi salafis is that they do not practice al walaa wal baraa i.e. loving and hating for the sake of Allah. Al walaa wal baraa is one of the 7 conditions of shahada. The salafis give their allegiance to the greatest enemies of Islam in return for materialism. About people like these Allah said:

And you love wealth fanatically. surah al fajr 89:20

But you prefer the life of this world even though the Hereafter is better and everlasting. surah al a'laa 87:16-17

The above-mentioned ayah is clear evidence that some so-called muslims their major concern is only the pomp and glitter of this world and not to spread the pure teachings of Muhammad {saw}

[b]The 3rd issue we have with the Saudi salafis is that they claim that tawheed Haakimiyya is not an aspect of the Deen. They even claim that tawheed haakimiyya is a bid'ah [cursed innovation] [/b]The Saudi salafis are so jahil they do not know that Muhammad Ibrahim [the shaikh of bin baaz] said in page 6 of his book tahkeem al qawaaneen:

"Tawheed haakimiyya is the twin half of tawheed ibaada."

Some of them happen to be aware of this fatwa of Muhammad ibrahim so they reprint his book and remove this precious and crucial fatwa which was meant to guide the ummah of Muhammad.

When prophet Yusuf was in prison he taught tawheed to the inmates in prison and he taught them all 4 branches of tawheed. hence he said:

"There is no law-giver except Allah." { inil hukmu illa lillah}surah yusuf 12:40

The above-mentioned Qur'anic verse represents Tawheed haakimiyya hence anyone who claims that its not an aspect of the deen is guilty of rejecting faith in the very Qur'an itself and this means the salafis who reject Allah's haakimiyya are infidels outside the fold of islam.

The 4th issue we the members of ahlus sunnah wal jamaa'ah have with the salafis is that they do not reject the taghoot. In order for a person to be a Muslim he/she has to reject the taghoot and then believe in Allah. To believe in Allah is not enough to make us Muslims. The biggest taghoot in our midst today is the apostate regimes who have given their walaa {allegiance} to the USA, UK, Israel, UN, IMF, NATO and all the other dajjaal forces on the earth.

The salafi scholars have reinterpreted Islam to cement the thrones of these apostate leaders in exchange for the material things of this world i.e. fame & fortune. Allah used 2 words to describe the scholars of the salafi movement in the Qur'an, donkeys and dogs. These descriptions are for all the wicked scholars of this ummah. A donkey doesn't know the value of the knowledge which it has on its back and a dog if you feed him he lolls his tongue out and if you drive him away he still lolls his tongue out. Because the scholars of the Saudi salafis are on the payroll of these apostate regimes its haram to take your deen from them. They have become wicked scholars. About them ibn Mubaarak said;

"If you see a scholar going to the gates of the leader don't trust him with your deen because he is a thief"

Allah said about rejecting the taghoot:

And whosoever rejects the taghoot and then believes in Allah, then he has grasped the strongest of handhold that will never break. surah Baqara 2:256

Not only did the Saudi salafis refuse to reject the taghoot but they have reinterpreted Islam to protect the regimes of these taghoots. This is apostasy of the highest order. Since the salafi as a movement have a problem with me Shaikh Faisal I suggest they accept my challenge for a public debate on the subject of Authentic Tawheed. The salafis of Nigeria accepted this challenge and the debate is now on the internet for the world to see who is lying and who is speaking the truth. If the salafis refuse to accept my challenge for a public debate on this crucial subject [Tawheed] which is the core of our deen, we shall dismiss them as a bunch of hypocrites & apostates who are there to lead the Muslims astray with their satanic interpretation of Islam. This is my answer to the salafis all over the world who have a problem with my aqeeda {creed}


Yours in Deen,

SHAIKH FAISAL

P.S.
assalamu alaikum bro XXXXXX. I forgot to mention a crucial point in my article about the salafis. the point is they are the real khawaarij yet they are calling everyone khawaarij. The hadith said the main sign of a khawaarij is that they leave alone the kuffar and kill the Muslims. These apostate regimes of the talafis allow the usa army who are crusader to use their land and airspace to kill 1000s of muslims in iraq & afghanistan so who are the real khawaarij, who are the real dogs of jahannam?

May Allah guide us all. This is very serious. I've been aware of the serious misunderstanding between Sheikh Faisal and the Saudi salafis for over five years now.
Much as I lean with the Saudi salafis(I respect them and most times, go with their opinions on issues), I have always respected Sheikh Faisal too. My only problem with Sheikh Faisal is that i think he went too far in castigating the Saudi salafis. I have not listened to his vituperative, no-holds-barred lecture THE DEVIL DECEPTION OF SAUDI SALAFIS, but I heard how how he threw tantrums at Saudi scholars and even called Sheikh bin Baaz a kafir in the lecture.

May Allah guide us, it's a very serious issue; I read his article/letter here and he confirmed his much-talked-about reservation(don't want to use the word 'hatred') about saudi scholar.

All the points raised by Sheikh Faisal(except that of Tawheed haakimiyya) appear quite genuine and serious too. I don't know the relationship between Saudi scholars and Saudi leaders, especially the Royal family, but I'm aware of the undoings of the Royal family, which are very serious, such as detrimental relationship with the enemies of Islam like US etc. But my problem is: Are Saudi scholars and Saudi government the same thing? Did Saudi salafis consent to all these actions of Saudi government? Let's remember that it is possible for these scholars to advise the government but the government will take contrary actions.

Both Faisal and the Saudi salafis are my alfas; I read their books, and try as much as possible to follow them, where there is a difference of opinion I usually choose the opinion that has reference to Imam Ibn Taymiyyah in their explanations. May Allah help us all.


May Allah just guide us aright. This issue is very serious.

@all

Salam and Jazakhullah for the knowledge. However I would have loved to post one or two things but would do that when Codebase is back.

@ife-eco-06
Salam
These issues are debatable, the problem is that the Salafis and their western counterpart like Fox news have a quick way of disseminating information to protray the righteous as wicked. I know you know that Sheikh Faisal went to jail for no reasonable excuse except that they cried like babies saying he preaches terrorism, yet it is this western countries that will be shouting freedom of speech and all forms of freedom including walking naked on the highway, how ironic.

To come to my point. The Salafis the sheikh critics were not the classical scholars who preached geniune Islam. What we are saying is when the Koran said: "Cut the hand of the theif" why must you and your evil leaders say: "Send the thief to prison". Why should you be friends to Bush or the U.S and hate the mujaideen and all those striving to bring liberty to Islam? When you ask them:"Why has the Muslims of this time failed to own a true Islamic State governed by Sharia? They say obey the leaders God have provided you. What? Even when these leaders don't follow the deen of Muhammed(S.A.W) and cliam it is Qadr(destiny) that Christians and Jews are rulers over Muslims. Al walaa wal baraa that is loving and hating because of Allah is not their watchword. For example, when their leaders brought America into Saudi when according to the Islamic law, a Kafr may not help Muslims to kill other Kafrs, they not only allowed the U.S to assist them in war but killed Muslims. >:
We know that killing a fellow Muslim intentionally warrants hell right from earth.
Salafi's saw nothing wrong in ruling besides Sharia, their only excuse is that Joseph was governed by a rule besides Allah because the King was not declared Muslim while working for him.
The Salafis will cry over little issues but when it comes to what is meant to be the soul of Islam they use their beautifully printed books to fool the masses. That's why you will hardly see Muslims seeing that ruling besides Sharia is a major shirk. What this Salafi do is tell you you're responsible for your actions alone. When the essence of Islam is to form a universal responisbility of one another.
If their was an Islamic state where every Muslim is entitled to live and contribute in, their will be no poverty among Muslims because the rich will pay their zakat. How many Muslims do just this simple task which is among the five pillars of Islam? How many? The world is facing an economic crackdown, if the Muslims were independent will we be affected? Following the Koranic teaching would have made Muslims develop a complex economic and legislative form of government that will be independent of the west.

Salam
These issues are debatable, the problem is that the Salafis and their western counterpart like Fox news have a quick way of disseminating information to protray the righteous as wicked. I know you know that Sheikh Faisal went to jail for no reasonable excuse except that they cried like babies saying he preaches terrorism, yet it is this western countries that will be shouting freedom of speech and all forms of freedom including walking naked on the highway, how ironic.

To come to my point. The Salafis the sheikh critics were not the classical scholars who preached geniune Islam. What we are saying is when the Koran said: "Cut the hand of the theif" why must you and your evil leaders say: "Send the thief to prison". Why should you be friends to Bush or the US and hate the mujaideen and all those striving to bring liberty to Islam? When you ask them:"Why has the Muslims of this time failed to own a true Islamic State governed by Sharia? They say obey the leaders God have provided you. What? Even when these leaders don't follow the deen of Muhammed(S.A.W) and cliam it is Qadr(destiny) that Christians and Jews are rulers over Muslims. Al walaa wal baraa that is loving and hating because of Allah is not their watchword. For example, when their leaders brought America into Saudi when according to the Islamic law, a Kafr may not help Muslims to kill other Kafrs, they not only allowed the US to assist them in war but killed Muslims. >:
We know that killing a fellow Muslim intentionally warrants hell right from earth.
Salafi's saw nothing wrong in ruling besides Sharia, their only excuse is that Joseph was governed by a rule besides Allah because the King was not declared Muslim while working for him.
The Salafis will cry over little issues but when it comes to what is meant to be the soul of Islam they use their beautifully printed books to fool the masses. That's why you will hardly see Muslims seeing that ruling besides Sharia is a major shirk. What this Salafi do is tell you you're responsible for your actions alone. When the essence of Islam is to form a universal responisbility of one another.
If their was an Islamic state where every Muslim is entitled to live and contribute in, their will be no poverty among Muslims because the rich will pay their zakat. How many Muslims do just this simple task which is among the five pillars of Islam? How many? The world is facing an economic crackdown, if the Muslims were independent will we be affected? Following the Koranic teaching would have made Muslims develop a complex economic and legislative form of government that will be independent of the west

.

Salam and Jazakhullah for this post.

alhamdulilaahi for the excellent presentation. those who do "follow-follow" should have read or read and not be deceived that salafee or salafiyyah is another sect that has just erupted from a set or group of people. it is TOTALLY FALSE. it is just a way to glue people to their infected beliefs - A SIGN OF THE ENDTIME, BEWARE. THEY ARE IGNORANT AND CALLING PEOPLE TO THE WAY OF IGNORANCE.

Salafi Da'awah is not a sect or a religion group, it is rather a movement or what people may called a wind of change. It has no leader nor does it have special guide books like other sects such as Qadiyani, Ahmadiya, shi'a, tijjaniya, qadiriyya. The Salaf movement started as a result of quest by individual muslims that needed to seek for the truth and nothing but the truth. They based their argument and da'wah based on authentic ahadiths and rightful interpretation of Islamic injunctions. The Salaf Da'awah encourages everybody to seek for knowledge and not based their understanding of Islam only to what their Ulamas, sheiks or Imams of their sects tell them.

However that does not mean that the people involve in the Salaf movement are perfect. We always, seems to think and accept that once a person is very versed in Islamic Knowledge he will not make a mistake or he is faith is unquestionable. Knowledge is completely different from taqwa. There are always weak muslims no matter how knowledgeable they are. There will be always be weak Ulamas that are apolegetic to the government. In Saudi Arabia there are many Salaf sheiks that are sponsored/paid by the government in order to keep the society at bay. And in Saudi there are many, many Salaf sheiks in prison because they are found to be extreme. And there are many that just keep quite because they cant do anything (and these are many). Scholars apolegetic to the government does not start today. Even during the time of the Sahaba, during the reign of Mu'awiyya and his son Yazid, it happens.

One thing we should appreciate about the da'awah of the Salaf it brought about the revival of the early Islamic culture of seeking of knowledge. People now seek for knowledge. And people are allowed to think and express themselves within the realm of what is halal. If not because of that, alot muslims will have being bonded to the supplication and worship of saints.

assalaamu alayum.jazakumullahu khaeran. i am ascribing myself to salafiyyah to start with. i was taken out of context, maybe my reply was ambiguous, i was rushing the day i left a reply on the presentation. the reply was referring to those that mislead people telling them that salafiyyah is another sect and also their FOLLOWERS who do not question the basis with which their LEADERS base their judgements. those are the people i was addressing.may Allaah forgive my mistakes and i pray Allaah reward you for the clarification.

tharma:

Salafi Da'awah is not a sect or a religion group, it is rather a movement or what people may called a wind of change. It has no leader nor does it have special guide books like other sects such as Qadiyani, Ahmadiya, shi'a, tijjaniya, qadiriyya. The Salaf movement started as a result of quest by individual muslims that needed to seek for the truth and nothing but the truth. They based their argument and da'wah based on authentic ahadiths and rightful interpretation of Islamic injunctions. The Salaf Da'awah encourages everybody to seek for knowledge and not based their understanding of Islam only to what their Ulamas, sheiks or Imams of their sects tell them.

However that does not mean that the people involve in the Salaf movement are perfect. We always, seems to think and accept that once a person is very versed in Islamic Knowledge he will not make a mistake or he is faith is unquestionable. Knowledge is completely different from taqwa. There are always weak muslims no matter how knowledgeable they are. There will be always be weak Ulamas that are apolegetic to the government. In Saudi Arabia there are many Salaf sheiks that are sponsored/paid by the government in order to keep the society at bay. And in Saudi there are many, many Salaf sheiks in prison because they are found to be extreme. And there are many that just keep quite because they can't do anything (and these are many). Scholars apolegetic to the government does not start today. Even during the time of the Sahaba, during the reign of Mu'awiyya and his son Yazid, it happens.

One thing we should appreciate about the da'awah of the Salaf it brought about the revival of the early Islamic culture of seeking of knowledge. People now seek for knowledge. And people are allowed to think and express themselves within the realm of what is halal. If not because of that, alot muslims will have being bonded to the supplication and worship of saints.

spot on

Bismillah wa sallaahu ala nabiyyinaa Muhammad wa aali-hi wa sahabi-hi aj'maeen.
Amaa ba'du:

I just came across this long discussion on 'sheikh' Abdullah Faisal al-Jamaaikee al-Khaarijee (May Allâh rectify him and bring him back to the path of the truth).

I wonder how some people throw support behind his horrendous creed which all the flag bearers of the Sunnah – Ibn Bâz, Ibn Uthaymeen, al-Albâni, Al-Fawzaan, Al-Madkhalee, Ash-Shinqeetee, etc did (or do) not share. May Allâh forgive the dead among the scholars and safeguard the living among them.

It will interest you that Abdullah Faisal declares the bulk of the above scholars as unbelievers out of his shallow knowledge of Islâm.

Faisal is not a person of Sunnah – either outwardly or inwardly; you may wonder how I knew his inward, it is because of what he utters out on his lips. From what a person says on his tongue you will know what goes on in his mind. This is why when a Muslim says Laa-ilaa-ha illah Allaah we instantly regard him as a Muslim until proven otherwise.

Faisal may be a Muslim but he is definitely not a person of Sunnah even if he makes a one thousand claim on that.

He is a khaarijee – a person who reviles the legitimate Muslim ruler, who permits the killing of Muslims and who sees Muslims as unbeliever because of one sin or the other they might fall into.

His 'Shaykhs' include Salman Al-Awdah, Safar al-Hawali, etc; the evil of these people have been exposed Al-hamdullillah.

Thus a Muslim will be mistaking if he still sees Faisal and his likes such as Osama bn Laden, Ayman Az-Zawairi and other 'jihad superstars' in Iraq and Afghanistan as Islamic heroes 'who stand up in face of the odds.'

[This does not mean that this writer does not support Jihâd but he is only saying that before a Muslim goes into a Jihâd its conditions must be fulfilled; one, Jihâd is fought behind a Muslim ruler or his representative, two, the enemy are given chance to repent from their evil deed by accepting Islam, three, the non-combatants like children and women are not killed, etc; the Jihâd of these people is a Bid'ah type; remember Bid'ah comes in all endeavors of a Muslim; not only in Salâh or other stuff.]

The real heroes of Islam are its scholars; the flagbearers of the legacy of Prophet Muhammad, the respecter of the methodology of the Companions.

Thus a good Muslim must be ready to follow the way of the believers in the time of Prophet Muhammad; he must be ready to follow them but must acquired knowledge in doing so.

Thus a Muslim needs to tread the path of the Salaf (Prophet Muhammad and his Companions); in order words a Muslim should be a Salafi.

Please do not mind Faisal and its cohorts, a Muslim must be a Salafi if he or she wants to practice the correct Islâm.

I call your attention once again to a part of what was earlier posted by Codebase:

'From these three texts therefore, a system can be drawn. A system to which all Muslims in these times must adhere, and from which they must not be aloof, as we notice with so many of our contemporaries in the field of Da'wah to the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. They differ with us regarding our method of referring to the understanding of the Salaf from amongst the Companions, the taabi’een [12] and those who adhere to their principles in order for us to understand the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. This in fact, is what must be adopted by each Muslim as his method, in order that he does not stray from the path of the Believers. It is not sufficient therefore, to say today, 'We are upon the Qur’aan and the Sunnah.'

Returning to the understanding of the venerable Salaf, however, is a guarantee and safeguard for the Muslims of today, against falling into what some of those who came after the Salaf fell into. These Muslims have differed severely, because they did not have easy access to the texts of the Sunnah, which is the explanation of the Qur’aan as the Lord of the Worlds says: "And We have sent down to you the remembrance (dhikr), so that you may explain to the people what has been sent down to them." [Sooratun-Nahl 16:44]

This is the major reason for the differences amongst those who preceded, even among some of the diligent leaders from amongst the scholars, ascetics and pious Muslims. But there are other reasons for these differences. The main reason is the dominance of personal desires and views of some people even though they may have had some knowledge, even some piety and devotion.

We say therefore, that there is no guarantee for the Muslims against falling into contradictions of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah, except to return to the methodology of the venerable Salaf. We sincerely believe that among the reasons for the present state of the Muslims is their differences in the interpretation of the texts from the Qur‘aan and the Sunnah, due to their dependence upon other than what we call the Salafee method.' End of quote.

And if anybody is still interested in knowing the evil in the methodology of Abdullah Faisal, let him read the following:

http://www.salafimanhaj.com/ebook.php?ebook=45
http://www.salafimanhaj.com/ebook.php?ebook=60

It is entitled: 'The Devil's Deception of Abdullah ("el" Faisal Al-Jamaykee.'

Baraakallahu feekum.

Muslims cannot be united except in Salafiyyah: Being upon what the Prophet and his Companions were upon, calling to other than that is causing disunity among the Muslims, please take note.

The only Taaifatu-Mansuurah (Victorious Sect), Firqatun-Naajiyah (Saved Sect) among the sects is the Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jama'ah which is the same as Ahlul-Hadith, as embodied in Salafiyyah. There is no confusion, please. Learn Islam correctly and you will find out.

See what Ash-Shaykh Saleem Al-Hilaali (may Allâh preserve him) wrote in Li Maadhaa Akhtar'tu al-Manhajas-Salafi ('Why I Have Chosen the Methodology of the Salaf'):

'This command to hold to the Book and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Pious Predecessors is indicated in his statement () in the hadith of Al-Ir'baadh b. Saariyah (may Allâh be pleased with him):

'Whoever lives long among you will see a lot of differences, be wary of innovated practices (in the Deen) because they are misguidance. Whoever meets that among you should hold to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly-guided successors; hold unto it with your molar teeth.'

There is in the hadith of Hudhayfah that the Prophet () commanded him to hold to the root of a tree when there are differences, so as to stay away from misguidance.

But there is in the hadith of Al-Ir'baadh the command that he should hold to the Sunnah of the Prophet () according to the understanding of the Sahabah, with his molar teeth, when there are differences, and that he should stay off the innovated practices because they are misguidance.

Thus when we combine the two hadith a soothing meaning will come to the forth which is holding to the Sunnah of the Prophet () upon the understanding of the Pious Predecessors when the misguided sects appear and when there is no One Single Jama'aah (Jama'atul-Muslimeen which all the Muslims must belong) and their leader.
What indicates the foregoing is that the command that one should hold to the root of a tree in the hadith of Hudhayfah is not intended apparently. Rather its meaning is that one should be steadfast and patient on the truth, and that one should stay off all the sects of misguidance which are in opposition to the truth.

Or that its meaning is: The vast root of Islâm that is full of leaves will be blown off by strong winds such that its branches will veer off whereby none will remain except its Firm Root which will be daunting to the winds. It is at that point that Muslims must hold to this Root by all their might and strength because the root will grow once again irrespective of the strong and the militating winds.

Thus it is then it will be obligatory on every Muslim to extend his hand to the Group that holds to this Firm Root so as to save himself from all trials and harm.

This Group will not cease to be victorious on the truth until their last will fight Dajjaal.' End of quote.

Please there is no confusion in Islam it is only those who do not really know the religion that is confused.

Muslims cannot be united except in Salafiyyah

Brother stop saying salafi(or any other sect) is the right path, instead say ISLAM is the right path. If you are confident that you are following the right path according to Quran and the Prophets (saw) sunnah, say I AM A MUSLIM (rather than calling yourself a salafi or any other sect) and say to others  ISLAM IS THE RIGHT PATH (rather than saying follow salafi or any other sect).

P.s. I am not arguing with you brother, i just expressed my opinion just like you did. I did read what you said, and when i thought about it this is what i felt.

Its Ramadan,
May Allah provide You, Me and all other Muslims with health and will power to fast and do more Ibadah during this month.
Ameen.

Amin to your prayer brother.

As if you did not read what I posted very well; did you?

if you did you would know that the way out of the problem is holding to the Qur'aan and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf.

In other words that is Salafiyyah.

I am only saying this to aid the intention of the original poster, codebase, not that I like to go into issues. Anyway, I will counsel you to learn the Deen, and you shall definitely see.

if you did you would know that the way out of the problem is holding to the Qur'aan and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf.

In other words that is Salafiyyah.

I get your point, we should follow the path of the salafi ie. the Sahaba ("Companions", the Tabi‘un ("Followers" and the Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in ("Those after the Followers". Which i completely agree.

My point is (please re-read my 1st post) is just to convey the message that we should not segregate ourselves into different sects. I am fed up seeing the disunity of muslims. Different sects always fighting with each other. The way i practice Islam may be similar to some sect that is present, but i never say i belong to that sect instead I say i belong to Islam. I hope you get the point.

Well, I got your point.

But do you know it does not suffice to say today that one is a Muslim and just that?

Reason?

There are many people that make similar case: the Nation of Islam, Ahmadiyyah, Shia, Sufiyyah, Barawailis, Bathis, etc. There is a need for further clarification. A Muslim upon what understanding? Then it becomes IMPERATIVE for the fellow to say, a Muslim that holds to the Qur'aan and Sunnah upon the understanding of the Salaf (the Companions of the Prophet).

So brother azharudin, when you say that you have saved yourself from the differences.

It is troubling to see Muslims differing, but they will never cease to. Allaah says that, if you want the proof I shall tell you. That Muslims will continue to differ is in the Fore-Knowledge of Allaah, even though He does not love it.

So Muslims too should not be happy to see other Muslims divide, but there will be division. But when there are divisions what is the way out. That is the question? The way out is holding to the Qur'aan and the Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf. I hope you will now understand brother.

Yes we are Muslims and that is our best appellation, but there is Fitnah; those who are not suposed to hide under the facade have done so, therefore there must be a demarcation.

I hope you will understand.

Saying Salafiyyah is not cuasing sectarinamism in the Deen but reiterating the advice of the Prophet when he said the Ummah would divide and all the divides will go to hell except One: What I and my Companions are upon.

Brother, once again, what the Prophet and the Companions were upon is Salafiyyah; and that is the basis upon which Muslims can forge their unity.

Once again I am taking pain to explain this because I do not want the intent of the original poster of the thread to be defeated.

May Allaah be with you O noble brother, hope to know you better.

Salafis are at the roots of all Muslims problems today most of them are narrow minded harsh in their interpretations of the quran and sunna their tribals cultures mixed with a rigid views vis a vis of  women and  minorities make them the worst school of thought in Islam ibn Abdel wahhab  ibn teymiyyah and ibn Alqayim are the leaders of this movement

zubeyr:

Salafis are at the roots of all Muslims problems today most of them are narrow minded harsh in their interpretations of the quran and sunna their tribals cultures mixed with a rigid views vis a vis of  women and  minorities make them the worst school of thought in Islam ibn Abdel wahhab  ibn teymiyyah and ibn Alqayim are the leaders of this movement

Could you produce concrete proofs for these your allegations?

Anyway, you are entitled to your opinion. Nothing goes in this world without criticism; the Prophet of Islam is still greatly criticized by some folks, even Allaah the Sublime and Mighty Lord is not safe from the vituperation of some. So, it will not baffle a serious-minded one if the Salafis are criticized.

But as a point  of correction, Ibn Abdel wahhab (sic), ibn teymiyyah (sic) and ibn Alqayim (sic) are not leaders of the movement because Salafiyyah is never a movement but the essence of Islam. If you will like to know, the leaders of Salafiyyah was the Prophet himself and his Companions. You can check back some of the last posts.

Ibn Abdil-Wahhaab, Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn Al-Qayyim Al-Jawziyyah, etc. were just some pious scholars who came at one time or the other to raise the flag of Salafiyyah when it went down in their times in terms of people's descent into heretical and idolatry practices. The history is rife with what Al-Imaam Ibn Abdil-Wahhaab did to make Saudi Arabia the leading Islamic country today in the world, in terms of respect for Tawheed, following the Sunnah of the Messenger and host of other things.

There other things I can let you know if you have interest to know.

Salaamu alaik. What area are salafiyyoon based in Nigeria? What ulama do they take from? I live outside Nigr but interested in finding out inshaaAllaah