Dawah - literally means "call", and in this sense it refers to calling to the Truth through preaching and propagation.

• Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)." [The Noble Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:136]

• Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) and fair preaching, and argue with them in a way that is better. Truly, your Lord knows best who has gone astray from His Path, and He is the Best Aware of those who are guided. [The Noble Qur'an An-Nahl 16:125]

• Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. [The Noble Qur'an Al-Imran 3:104]

• Say (O Muhammad SAW): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allâh (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh; those who worship others along with Allâh or set up rivals or partners to Allâh)." [The Noble Qur'an Yusuf 12:108]

Salaf - literally means "those (from history) who precede, have gone before".  

As-Salaf as-Saalih - The people of the past, namely the first three generations of pious muslims during and after the revelation of the Qur'an, i.e.the Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet, saaws , the Taabi'een (followers) and the Taabi Taabi'een (followers of the followers).

Islam teaches that As-Salaf as-Saalih are superior in their understanding of the Revelation of Al-Qu'ran. Generally speaking, the people present during any event (such as the revelation of the Quran) will understand it better than those who read about it later. 

• The Prophet, saaws, said: "I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them -- they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [Reported by Al- Haakim - Sahih].

• "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)." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim- Mutawaatir. Muslim, Narrated 'Aisha - Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it Hasan in Saheeh Al Jaami' no.3288].

• "The best of people are my generation, then the second, then the third, then there will come a people, having no good in them." [[related by Ibn Mas'ood] [Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Hasan. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth ad-Da'eefah no.3569, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3293.]

• "My Ummah will not unite upon error." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Haakim - Sahih]

• The best of people are my generation, then those who follow after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come after them a people who will be fat, and they will love obesity, bearing witness before being asked to."[related by the Umars, sons of Husayn(r)] [Tirmidthee, authenticated by Imaam Al Haakim] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Saheeh. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah no. 699, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3294.

Salafi - means "of the salaf".  The "i" (sounds like "ee") on the end of the word means "of the", "of" and/or "are".  Using correct arabic grammar, the word "salafi" can only be used in association with words that are of that which is truly from the far past. In order to be a salaf, you had to exist generations prior to the current one. Referring to oneself as a salafi* is permissible in Islam so long as the intention is for identification with the salafi minhaj and this identification does not replace your identification as being MUSLIM, as this is what Allah swt has commanded us in The Qur'an to call ourselves. While it is important, as many scholars have said, to distinguish ourselves from the innovators, we first do this in our actions (i.e. do not sit with the people of innovation, engage the sunnah in our daily lives, etc.), and to do so in speech, we can best do so by clearly stating that we are followers of the pious predecessors ("Ana a-taaba as-salaf as-saalih").

    Those Muslims whose intentions are to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet saaws and the salaf, know better than to divide themselves into a sect (a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially one regarded as extreme or heretical) that parts from following clear proof in Quran and Sunnah.  

• "And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)" [Reported by at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]

• "Verily those before you from among the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects and verily this religion . . . ", and in another narration, " . . . this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects: seventy-two will be in the Fire and one in Paradise and that is the Jamaa'ah." [Reported by Abu Daawood - Sahih]

• When questioned by his Companions about those who will be saved from the Fire, the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) 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.]

A muslim may announce his intentions to adhere to the Dawat-us-Salafiyyah, which is identical to saying the dawah of Islam with mere emphasis on rejecting innovation in implementing and understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad saaws and accepting the guidance of the Salaf-as-Saalih (as instructed by Muhammad saaws to do so).  Because not one ounce of arrogance will make it into the gates of Paradise, no muslim would want to be so bold as to declare himself as a member of Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the saved group of Muslims), for only Allah swt knows who that truly is, but instead would speak of his intentions to be of the saved group, by his intentions to adhere to the dawat-us-salafiyyah.

• Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is self-delusion to say 'I am saved' and not pessimistic, for example being too secure saying 'I have the attributes of the salaf, I am saved', We still have to humble ourselves and not to say that we have the attributes of the Salaf. So I say to these people, not everybody who opposes me a thing from this path will become one of those who will perish, for verily the disputer may be a mujtahid who was wrong, and Allaah will forgive him his mistakes. Or maybe the proof did not reach him, enough to satisfy his needs (i.e. to understand it). Or maybe he has enough good deeds in which Allaah will wipe away his bad deeds."

• "O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), and fear Allâh. Verily! Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [Surah al-Hujuraat 49:1].

• "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh's Favour on you, for you were enemies one to another but He joined your hearts together, so that, by His Grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:103].

Muslim - Whereas a person of a sect may improperly refer to himself as a Shia, Sufi, etc., those who adhere to dawat-us-salafiyyah describe themself as a "Muslim" whose minhaj (methodology/system) is Qur'an and Sunnah and madhdhab (way) is that of the salaf. There is ample proof to say it is more than sufficient to call oneself simply a Muslim.

• And strive hard in Allâh's Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islâmic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islâm), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islâmic Monotheism). It is He (Allâh) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur'ân), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As­Salât (Iqamat-as-Salât), give Zakât and hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!  [Surah Al-Imrân 3:78]

• Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah reported that one of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) said, "I do not mind which out of the two blessings was greater. that Allaah guided me to Islaam, or that he kept me away from these innovated sects. By Allaah , the Most High, in the Qur'aan He called us the Muslims, the Believers and the Worshippers of Allaah, so we will not leave the manes which Allaah has names us with in favour of names innovated by the people which they call themselves by and also their forefathers for which Allaah has send down no proof". (In al-Wasiyyatul-Kubraa.Taken from the Book Forty Hadeeth On: The Call to Islam and the Caller By Shaikh 'Alee Hasan 'Alee 'Abdul Hameed)

• Abu-I Aas, r.a., a companion of the Prophet (saaws) said: "Since I have now handed over to you what is rightfully yours, I now declare that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By God, the only thing that prevented me from declaring my acceptance of Islam while I was with Muhammad in Madinah was my fear that you would think that I did so only to appropriate your wealth. Now that I have discharged my trust in this matter, I now declare that I am a Muslim."

• Ikrimah, r.a., a companion of the Prophet (saaws) said: ""I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger." The Prophet (saaws) then instructed him to say, "I call on God and those present here to witness that I am a Muslim who is a Mujahid and a Muhajir".

• The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded to kill him: he was a spy of AbuSufyan and an ally of a man of the Ansar. He passed a circle of the Ansar and said: I am a Muslim. A man from the Ansar said, Apostle of Allah, he is saying that he is a Muslim. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There are people among you in whose faith we trust. Furat ibn Hayyan is one of them. [Abu Dawood #2646, Narrated Furat ibn Hayyan]

• Then when 'Iesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: "Who will be my helpers in Allâh's Cause?" Al-Hawâriûn (the disciples) said: "We are the helpers of Allâh; we believe in Allâh, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allâh)." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:52]

The belief that "times have changed" and that we should now do differently than what Allah swt commanded us, is an innovated madthab (way). There were sects during the time of the Prophet (saaws) and immediately following, just as there are today. The companions of 'Iesa (Jesus) and Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both, all referred to themselves simply as Muslims.

However, as Muslims, we must not dispute over simple titles, as the correct way of living is of upmost importance, not the labels we claim upon ourselves. Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid has said, "The one who is seeking salvation has to work hard to gain beneficial knowledge and do righteous deeds, and he should avoid vain arguments and futile discussions in which there is no benefit." What is important is that we implement the way of the salaf as-saalih in our daily lives, insomuch as it is consistent with Quran and Sunnah.

Names - you can name yourself, your masjid, your computer files, your associations, etc. - anything halal. For instance if a baby is named "Yasmin" meaning jasmine, the mother who chose the name is not stating that she IS a jasmine stone or even that she has the attributes of a jasmine; such a name is a permissible name because the item itself, the jasmine, is not haram. So if a name includes the word "salaf" anywhere in it, this is halal. However for a person of today to identify oneself AS a salaf is incorrect.

One can refer to himself as "muttaqi" (male) or "muttaqiyyah" (female) meaning of the muttaqun, but should not make a sunnah of calling himself a "muslim muttaqi".  A person alive today can be muttaqi but cannot be salafi because s/he is not of the past.

Those who adhere to the sunnah of the Prophet, saaws, are sadly known as "strange", "odd", etc., to those who have abandoned such adherence. They (muslims on a misguided path) even get to the point that they find it odd that someone would just call themselves a MUSLIM and attach no special group name to the word muslim. Surely the people who deviate are the people who must find a new label for their group. The label "muslim" is the purest word and all we need, insha'Allah, i.e. it is the only identifying label that we should have as a tradition or sunnah for calling ourselves when refering to our faith.

• The Prophet, saaws, has mentioned in his saying: "Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

• And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh's (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims." [The Noble Qur'an 41:33]

Madhdhab Salafi- means the way (madhdhab) of the salaf (first three generations of pious muslims after the revelation of the Qur'an).

• Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H rahimahullaah) says: "There is no blame on the one who manifests/proclaims the way (madhdhab) 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 (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)." [From Majmoo al-Fataawaa, 4:149.]

• Abu Haneefah (d. 150H rahimahullaah) said: "Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way/following) 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]

• 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 a follower of the Salaf." [Siyar 16/457]

Following the madhdhab of the salaf is unlike following one of the madhdhabs (schools of thought) of today.  Today when a person says they follow a madhdhab, they mean they follow one of the four Imams (Maliki, Hanafi, etc..), often to the point that even if the Imam's chosen position on any topic is clearly in error, they will follow it anyway, just for the sake of consistency in following the same Imam.  In the true use of the word "madhdhab", the way of the salaf is a madhdhab.  In the modern sense of the word "madhdhab", the way of the salaf is not a madhdhab, meaning it does not require or encourage blind adherence to a single leader like the practice of muslims who follow any one of the four major madhdhabs of today.

Minhaj Qur'an wa Sunnah- means methodology of Qur'an and Sunnah.  

• Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan said, " The reasons for disunity are many. From amongst the main causes are: Firstly, opposing the minhaj (methodology) of the Salaf, the Companions of Allaah's Messenger and those who follow them. So the Salaf had a minhaj that they adhered to; a manhaj in aqeedah (creed), a manhaj in da'wah (calling to Allaah), a minhaj in enjoining good and forbidding evil, a manhaj in how to judge between people. This minhaj, in all situations, was based upon the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of our Messenger." [Wujoob ut-Tathabbut fil-Akhbaaar p.18]

Bid'a- Innovation in ibaddah [worship], to be avoided!

• The Prophet, saaws, has said: "If anyone introduces into this affair of ours (i.e. the religion of Islam) anything which does not belong to it, he will have it rejected." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

• The Prophet, saaws, said: "Whoever does an action which we (Allah and His Messenger) have not commanded it will be rejected." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih]

Shirk- To associate a partner with Allah swt.  The greatest sin.

Tawheed- The Oneness of Allah, swt.

• Tawheed-ar-Ruboobiyya (Oneness of the Lordship of Allah).  

  • To believe that there is only one Lord for all the universe, its Creator, Organizer, Planner, Sustainer, Maintainer, etc., and that is Allah swt.

• Tawheed-al-Uloohiyya (Oneness of the worship of Allah).

  • To believe that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah.  Worship comes in the form of praying, invoking, asking for help from the unseen or anything believed to be a deity (i.e. idols), swearing, slaughtering sacrifices, etc.

    • "And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allâh." [Surah Al-Jinn 72:18].

    • "Say (O Muhammad SAW): "I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilâh (God) is One Ilâh (God i.e. Allâh). So whoever hopes for the Meeting with his Lord, let him work righteousness and associate none as a partner in the worship of his Lord." [Surah Al-Kahf 18:110]

• Tawheed-al-Asma was-Sifat (Oneness of the Names/Attributes of Allah)

  • To believe that all the best of names/attributes (i.e. "The Most Merciful", etc.) belong to Allah as described in the Qur'an and by Prophet Muhammad saaws, and must not be twisted or expanded upon nor given similtude to human characteristics.

    • "Say (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him)): 'He is Allâh, (the) One. Allâh-us-Samad (The Self-Sufficient Master, Whom all creatures need, He neither eats nor drinks). He begets not, nor was He begotten; And there is none co-equal or comparable unto Him.' " [Surah Al-Ikhlas 112].

    • "...There is nothing like unto Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." [Surah Ash-Shura 42:11]

Dawat-us-Salafiyyah maintains that these three principles of Tawheed are inseparable from one another because they are the pillars of the meaning of the testimony: "Laa ilaaha il Allah" (There is nothing which has the right to be worshipped except Allah). Dawat-us-salafiyyah encourages the Muslim to apply Tawheed to his or her daily way of thinking and acting.

Dawat-us-Salafiyyah (also "Dawah Salafi", or "salafi dawah" although this is an english transposition of the two words- [say DOW-uh(t) uh  sal-uh-FEE-uh])   Literally means call of the past, those who preceded us.  This is the spreading of Islam in accordance with Qur'an and Sunnah, recognizing the understanding of the pious Salaf in this matter as being superior (more accurate) than modern ideas and inventions, with an intention to avoid innovation in ibaddah (an all encompassing word for worship, i.e. halal [permissible] acts of submission to Allah swt).

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah teaches that the Qur'an is the indisputable Truth of Allah, s.w.t.

  • Verily We: It is We Who have sent down the Dhikr (i.e. the Qur'an) and surely, We will guard it (from corruption). [The Noble Qur'an Al-Hijr 15:9]

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah encourages the muslim to run from Bid'a, actively try to remove shirk, think and act on Tawheed, and compare none to Allah, swt.

  • You [true believers in Islâmic Monotheism, and real followers of Prophet Muhammad SAW and his Sunnah (legal ways, etc.)] are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind; you enjoin Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm has ordained) and forbid Al-Munkar (polytheism, disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden), and you believe in Allâh. ...[The Noble Qur'an Al-Imran 3:110]

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah teaches the Muslim to worship Allah t'ala out of a combination of fear and hope.

  • "And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope; Surely, Allâh's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good­doers." [Surah A'râf 7:56]

  • "Their sides forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allâh's Cause) out of what We have bestowed on them." [Surah as-Sajdah 32:16]

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah does not neglect the Sunnah of the Prophet, saaws.  The muslim who clings to and engages in acts according to the Sunnah, sadly, becomes a 'stranger' to those who have gone astray.

  • The Prophet, saaws, has mentioned in his saying: "Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

  • And in another narration: "So give glad tidings to the few, those who purify, correct what the people have corrupted of my Sunnah." [Al-Silsilah of Shaikh al-Albaani - Sahih].

• One cannot follow Dawat-us-Salafiyyah if s/he is Shi'ah or Sufi or if s/he prescribes to a madhdhab based on blind adherence to a single Imam of any generation. Why? The Salaf have informed us not to follow their own ruling on a matter if stronger proof existed elsewhere that they were in error, i.e. contradicting Qur'an or Sunnah, whereas a madhdhab that follows a single Imam (i.e. Imam Hanbal, Imam Malik, etc.) encourages blind adherance to a single Imam and all of his rulings alone.  Of course it is permissible to seek guidance from the writings, etc., of Imams, but it is required of the muslim to reject whatever s/he was clinging on to (i.e. beliefs and actions) once the Truth is made plain.

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah gives precedence to the Word of Allah far above all others

  • "O you who believe! Do not put yourselves forward in the presence of Allah and His Prophet and fear Allah. Verily Allah is All-Hearing and All-Knowing." [Surah al-Hujuraat 49:1].

• Dawat-us-Salafiyyah teaches us to love His Prophet, saaws. (but not to worship him!)

  • The Prophet, saaws, said: "None of you believes until I become more beloved to him than his father, child and all mankind." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

• A muslim who adheres to the Dawat-us-Salafiyyah cannot be any of the following, which are basically groups of people adhering to deviation as a principle foundation in belief.

  • The sects of the Khawaarij who consider the Muslims to be Kaafirs (nonbelievers) due to their commiting major sins, and make lawful the taking of their wealth and blood.

  • The sects of the Shi'ah (Shi'ites) who hate and curse the Prophet's Companions and claim them to be apostates, claim that the Qur'an has been altered, reject the authentic Sunnah and worship the Prophet's Family, peace be upon them.

  • The Qadariyyah who deny Qadar (the Divine Decree).

  • The Murjiah who claim Imaan (Faith) to be only in words and not in deed.

  • The Asharriyah who deny Allah's Attributes.

  • The Sufis who worship graves, saints and claim Divine incarnation.

  • The Muqallidoon who necessitate that every Muslim adhere to the Madhhab (School of Thought) of a particular Imam or Shaikh, even when that madhdhab differs with the clear verses of the Qur'an and authentic hadiths of the Prophet, peace be upon him.

• Modern scholars may only come to teach remind us of the instructions of the original Salaf. Among the scholars who follow(ed) the Salaf-us-Salih in belief and deed, insha'Allah, are:

  • Imam Abu Hanifah (150 AH), Al-Awzai (157 AH), Ath-Thawri (161 AH), Al Laith ibn Saad (175 AH), Imam Malik (179 AH), Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak (181 AH), Sufyan ibn Uyainah (198 AH), Imam Ash-Shafi'i (204 AH), Ishaq (238 AH), Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (241 AH), Al-Bukhari (256 AH), Muslim (261 AH), Abu Dawood (275 AH) and others.

  • Ibn Taymiyyah (728 AH) and his students, Adh-Dhahabi , Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Katheer and others. [All listed lived between 728 and 774 AH]

  • Muhammed bin 'Abd al-Wahhab [1206 AH] and many of his students

  • Abdul Aziz bin Baz, Muhammed bin Saalih Utheimeen, Muhammed Naasir-ud-Deen al-Albaani (1332 to 1419 AH) [of our time].

Definition of Salifiyyah

by Sheikh Ibn Al-Utaymeen
Yarhamahu Allah (May Allah have mercy on him)

From his book, "Liqaa-al-Baab al-Maftooh", Q # 1322

Muhammad Salih Ibn al-Uthaymeen said: "Salafiyyah is following the way of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and his Sahabah for they are our Salaf (predecessors) who preceded us, so following them is Salafiyyah. As for taking Salafiyyah as a special Manhaj such that everyone who differs with it is considered astray even if he was on the truth; then this is beyond doubt opposite to Salafiyyah.

All the Salaf called to Islam and to unite upon the Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) and they did not declare astray anyone who differs with them (in a certain issue) because of (a different) interpretation (Taweel), except in matters of Aqeedah because they considered him, who differed in Aqeedah as astray.

But, in our time, some who took the path of Salafiyyah consider astray everyone who differs from them even if the truth were to be on his side. And they took a Hizbi (partisan) Manhaj, just like the other Hizbs (parties), who divide the religion. This (their way) must be rejected and not be approved of.

It is said, 'Look at the way of the Salaf as-Salih and what did they do in regards to differences and wideness of their hearts with regards to Ikhtilaaf (differences) in matters in which Ijtihad was feasible. (They differed with each other) to the degree that they differed in big issues, in (minor) issues of Aqeedah and (minor) issues of knowledge - for example, some of them denied that Allah's Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) saw His Lord and some of them confirmed of it. Some of them said, 'the deeds would be weighted on the Day of Judgment', whilst others held that "the books which record the deeds will be weighed." They also differ in matters of Fiqh, Marriage, obligations, buying and selling, etc. Despite this, they did not declare each other astray.

Thus, Salafiyyah that is taken to mean a special party (Hizb) with specific rules whose members consider anyone who differs with them as astray then they have nothing to do with Salafiyyah.

But the Salafiyyah that is to follow the Salaf in beliefs, sayings, actions, their way of differing and unity, their way of being merciful and compassion to one another as the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) said, "You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it."Then this is the true Salafiyyah."

Warning to the followers of the salafi group

by Sheikh Ibn Al-Utaymeen
Yarhamahu Allah (May Allah have mercy on him)

From his [the Prophet]() statement,

"Whoever lives amongst you will see much differing, so adhere to my Sunnah",

It can be learnt that if parties (ahzaab) within the ummah emerge in increasing numbers then one should not affiliate himself to a party (hizb). In the past, many groups have appeared; Khawaarij, Mu'tazilah, Jahmiyyah, Shee'ah, even Raafidah. Then there appeared, later on Ikhwanis, Salafis, Tablighis, and all those like them. Put all of them to one side and take [the path] ahead. Which is what the Prophet guided to. "Adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs." No doubt, it is obligatory for all Muslims to adopt the way of the salaf as their madhhab, not affiliation to a specific party (hizb) named, "The Salafis". It is obligatory for the Islamic Ummah to adopt the way of the salaf as-salih as their madhhab, not bigotry to those called "the salafis". Pay attention to the difference: There is the way of the salaf, and there is a party (hizb) called "the salafis".

What is the objective? Following the Salaf. Why? The salafi brothers are the closest sect to that which is right, no doubt, but their problem is the same as others, that some of these sects declare others as being misguided, they declare them to be innovators and as being sinners. We don't censure this, if they deserve it, but we censure handling this bid'ah in this way. It is obligatory for the leaders of these sects to get together and say, “Between us is the book of Allah, and the Sunnah of His messenger, so lets us judge by them and not according to desires, opinions and not according to personalities. Everyone makes mistakes and achieves correctness no matter what he has reached with regards to knowledge and worship. Infallibility is [only] in the religion of Islam."

In this hadeeth the Prophet guided to the way in which a person secures himself. He doesn't affiliate him to any sect, only the way of the salaf as-salih, to the Sunnah of our Prophet and the rightly guided caliphs.

The Noble Qur'an An-Nisâ' 4:115

And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) after the right path has been shown clearly to him, and follows other than the believers' way. We shall keep him in the path he has chosen, and burn him in Hell - what an evil destination.

Shaikh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah commented on this verse: "All who contradict and oppose the Messenger after the right path has been clearly shown to them, have followed other than the Path of the Believers; and all who follow other than the Path of the Believers have contradicted and opposed the Messenger after the right Path has been shown to them. If one thinks that he is following the Path of the Faithful Believers and is mistaken, he is in the same position as one who thinks he is following the Messenger and is mistaken."

Action Items for the uttaqun:

• If a person asks you, "Who is your sheikh?" it is best to answer, "Prophet Muhammed, salli allahu aleihi wa salam (peace and blessings be upon him)."  

• If someone asks you, "What are you?" you should answer, "Muslim (believer in tawheed), insha'Allah (only by Allah's Will / if Allah Wills it)."

• If someone asks you, "What is your minhaj ("methodology", i.e. methods, rules, procedures, etc.)?" you should answer, "Quran and Sunnah."

• If someone asks you, "What is your madhdhab ("way", e.g. direction, manner or mode)?" you may answer, "Salaf, insha'Allah"

• If a person were to ask, "What dawah (call) do you follow?" or "What do you teach (call the people to)?" you could reply, "Dawat-us-Salafiyyah, insha'Allah."

• Insha'Allah you can clearly identify yourself in the best of manners and at the same time distinguished yourself from the people of innovation with the following words or something to its effect.....

  • I am a muslim. My methodology is Qur'an and Sunnah. Insha'Allah I follow the way of the salaf muslims.

  • Ana muslim. Minhaji Al-Quran wa Sunnah. Insha'Allah madhdhabi i-tabaa al-muslimeen al-salafeen.

  • Or:

  • I am a follower of the righteous predecessors.

  • Ana a-tabaa as-salaf as-saalih.

• The best way to clearly identify yourself from the innovators is by action, i.e. your minhaj.

Remember... Allah, subhana watala, sees everything we do!