The Reality of Salafiyyah

Author: Shaikh Falaah Ismaa’eel (hafithahullah) 

Source: www.mandakar.com 
Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee

Originally posted on: www.salafyink.com 

Q: What is the Reality of Salafiyyah?

A: As Salafiyyah is to follow the Salaf; this is because an individual is either going to be Salafy or Khalafy. The Salafy (or Salafyyah) is an ascription to the Salaf, meaning that he connects himself to the Salaf. This ascription however, does not imply kinship, blood ties, race, descent, or skin color. Rather, it only (points to the state) of being upon that which the Salaf were upon from deen (religion), just as the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam) mentioned when (discussing the fact) that the Ummah would split and making it clear that the Saved Group is the Jama’ah. Then he (sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam) made it clear that it is obligatory upon the Ummah to be upon that which (he) the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam) and his companions were upon, they are our Salaf in the deen.

They are the ones who know the religion. They are the ones who witnessed the revelation being revealed and know its meaning. They know the proper meaning and application of the religion; they are our Salaf. Whoever follows them in their religion, beliefs, worship, the halaal, the haraam, and mutual dealings; then such is a true Salafy. Meaning, that his deen, religiousness, religious path, beliefs, and religious methodology, is upon that which the Prophet (sallAllahu alaihi wa sallam) and his companions were upon. 

Thus, Salafiyyah is to emulate, resemble and imitate the Sahaabah. They do whatever the Sahaabah did, stay away from what they stayed away from, believed as they believed, disbelieve in that which they disbelieved in, disapprove that which they disapproved of, and so forth. If one is like this, he is Salafy.

However, if one goes against the Sahaabah, then it is like that which Allah says,

 “Then, there has succeeded them a posterity who have given up the prayer.” [suratul Maryam: 59]

So the Khalaf, they are those who go against those who proceeded them. Rather, they differ upon that which the Salaf were upon in religion and methodology. So whoever goes against the Sahaabah, he/she is a Khalafy; whereas, whoever agrees with the Sahaabah, then he/she is a Salafy, no matter what time period (they live in), what land (they may reside in) or what race (they are from).

I ask Allah to fortify me and you all (upon the truth), and to raise me and you all amongst the company of the noble Salaf, I mean (by Salaf) the Sahaabah, may Allah be pleased and satisfied with them.