Salafi

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A Salafi (Arabic سلفي , from the Arabic word Salaf سلف (literally meaning predecessors or early generations), is an adherent of a contemporary movement in Sunni Islam ascribing his understanding and practice of Islam to the 'Salaf'. Salafism was designated by outsiders the name Wahhabism. Salafis insist that their beliefs are simply pure Islam as practiced by the first three generations of Muslims praised by Prophet Muhammad in hadiths, and that they should not be regarded as a sect. Saudi Arabian Salafis do not like to be called Wahhabis, although this name is said to have been acceptable in the past.

The word Salaf means predecessors (or ancestors) and refers to the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad (the Sahaba), the early Muslims who followed them, and the scholars of the first three generations of Muslims. They are also called Al-Salaf Al-Salih or "the Righteous Predecessors".

The Salafis view the first three generations of Muslims, who are the prophet Muhammad's companions, and the two succeeding generations after them, the Tabi'een and the tabi'it Tabi'een as perfect examples of how Islam should be practiced in everyday life. These three generations are often referred to as the pious generations. This principle of law is derived from the following hadith (tradition) by Prophet Muhammad: "The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims)." (Bukhari 3:48:819 and 820 [link] and Muslim 31:6150 and 6151 [link].

One tenet of Salafism is that Islam was perfect and complete at the days of Muhammad and his Sahaba, but that much undesirable "innovation" (bid`a) was added to Islam afterwards. Salafism seeks to revive the original practice of Islam [link].

Distinctive beliefs and practices

Salafis claim to preach a purified Islamic monotheism, or tawhid. Salafis believe that widespread Muslim practices such as venerating the graves of Islamic prophets and saints are wrong. Photographs of any living being that possesses a soul are forbidden. Celebration of Muhammad's birthday (Mawlid) is discouraged. All these practices are considered shirk (a comprehensive term which is commonly translated as polytheism), or as bidah (innovation). Salafis in general are opposed to both Sufism and Shi'a Islam, which they regard as deviations.

Salafis reject mainstream dogmatic theology (kalam). They consider this to be based on classical Greek philosophy (Plato and Aristotle) and an import foreign to the original practice of Islam.

Salafis are divided on the question of adherence to the four recognized schools of traditional legal interpretation (madhhabs).

• Some Salafis wish to base their jurisprudence directly on the Qu'ran and Sunnah. They believe that literal readings of the Qur'an and the hadith (or oral traditions) are sufficient guidance for the believing Muslim. They thus reject the madhabs. One scholar who supported this position was Albaanee.
• Some Salafis follow the teachings of the 14th century Syrian scholar Ibn Taymiya, and his students Ibn al-Qayyim and Ibn Kathir.
• Some Salafis rely on the jurisprudence of one of the four famous madhabs. For example, Ibn Taymiya followed the Hanbali madhhab. Some of his students (such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Dhahabi) followed the Shafi madhhab. Other students (such as Ibn Abu al-Iz) follow the Hanafi madhhab.

Because Salafis see themselves as practicing "pure" Islam, Salafi teachers and adherents will not necessarily identify themselves as Salafi. They can be identified as part of a particular current of contemporary Islam by their characteristic beliefs, by their use of terms like "the Salaf" or "Qur'an and sunnah." They also tend to use a specific style of transliteration of Arabic into English: long vowels are indicated by doubling, emphatic consonants are doubled, and words that end with a ta marbuta in Arabic are rendered with a terminal h.

History of Salafism

From the perspective of the Salafis themselves, their history starts with the Prophet himself. They consider themselves direct followers of his teachings, and wish to emulate the piety of the earliest followers of Islam (the salaf al-salih). All later scholars are merely revivers (not 'founders'). Modern scholars may only come to teach (or remind) us of the instructions of the original Salaf.

Contemporary Salafis

Salafism is a movement within Sunni Islam. It includes many groups and shades of belief. It is strongest in the Middle East, in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, etc. It is also found in most other Muslim-majority countries (see Islam by country and Demographics of Islam). It is increasingly important to diasporic Muslims in Europe, Canada, and the United States.

Salafis tend to differentiate themselves not so much by matters of Islamic practice, such as prescriptions for prayer (salat) or Islamic dress (hijab), but by their attitude towards the state.

• Some Salafis urge believers to support or endure the state under which they live. Believers are encouraged to spread Salafism non-violently, by missionary activity, social work, and political organization. Above all, they should help each other lead lives of true Islamic piety. (Rabei Al-Madkhaly)
• Some Salafis believe that violent jihad is permissible against foreign, non-Muslim, occupation, but not against governments that claim to be Islamic. Those governments are to be reformed, not violently overthrown. Civil war (fitna) is to be avoided. (Salman Al-Auda)

The non-violent Salafis insist that the violent groups are not really Salafis. Those who believe that violence is necessary see the non-violent Salafis as refusing their full responsibility as Muslims. 

Saudi Arabia

Some Salafis support the government; others distance themselves from it, or oppose it.

Prominent pro-government Saudi scholars include Ibn Baz, Ibn Uthaymeen (both now deceased), Ibn Humaid, and Rabi' al-Madkhali.

Some Salafis believe that most majority-Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, have strayed and that the only answer to the plight of Muslims today is violent jihad. Osama bin Laden is a prominent example of a Salafi Saudi Muslim who has gone from supporting the Saudi regime to violently opposing it.

Notable Salafi Scholars

Syria

• Ibn Taymiyyah (1263 C.E. - 1328 C.E.)

*Author of al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah and al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah which are concise explanations of the creed of Ahlus-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah)

*Scholar of fiqh, having issued many fatawa on different issues

Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya (1292 C.E. - 1350 C.E.)

Al-Dhahabi (1274 C.E. - 1348 C.E.)

Saudi Arabia

• Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703 C.E. - 1792 C.E.)

*Advocate of a return to a puritanical view of Islamic theology

*Author of Kitab at-Tawheed (Book on Islamic Monotheism) that explains Islamic Monotheism and those things that contradict it

Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz (1909 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)

*Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia

Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen (1925 C.E. - 2001 C.E.)

*Scholar of fiqh and authored over fifty books on the subject

*Wrote an explanation of ibn Taymiyyah's al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah and al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah

Safar al-Hawali (1950 C.E. - present)

Egypt

• Tahawi

*Author of Aqeedah At-Tahaweeyah

Ibn Hajar Asqalani

*Author of Fath al-Bari

Sayyid Qutb (1906 C.E. - 1966 C.E.)

Albania

• Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (1914 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)

*Resided primarily in Syria and Jordan

*Specialized in the science of hadith

*Commented on authenticity of the hadiths in the books of Sunan, including Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, and Sunan ibn Majah

Palestine

• Abdullah Azzam (1941 C.E. - 1989 C.E.)
• * Wrote books agaist Nationalism and Socialism
• * Time Magazine wrote about him: "He was responsible for reviving Jihad in the 20th Century"

Central Asia

• Imam of Hadith, Bukhari

*Complier of the authentic hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad known as Sahih Bukhari and Khalq Af'aal al-Ibad (The Creation of the acts of Servants) which shows the Salaf's creed regarding many issues.

See also

• List of Muslims
• Wahhabism
• Ahl-e-Hadeeth
• Salaf
• Shirk
• Bidah
• Tawhid
• Nasibi

External links

Non-Salafi

• [New Yorker article on Osama bin Laden and Salafism]

Pro-Salafi

• [What is Salafiyyah?]
• http://www.understand-islam.net
• http://www.islamqa.com
• http://www.salaf.com
• http://www.fatwa-online.com
• http://www.spubs.com
• http://www.therighteouspath.com
• http://www.calltoislam.com
• http://www.uponsunnah.com
• http://www.islamweb.com

 

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