By 'Abdullaah al-Atharee
Salaf (pious Muslim generations in Arabic language):
The word Salafa refers to something in the past that came before. The phrase "Salafa ash-shay'u Salafan" means that the thing is in the past. The word Salaf refers to the people who came before or who went ahead on a journey.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
So when they [the people of Pharaoh] angered Us, We punished them, and drowned them all. And We made them a Salafan [precedent] [as a lesson for those coming after them], and an example to later generations. (Soorat uz-Zukhruf, 43:55-56)
Meaning: We have made them a precedent for those who do the same as they did, so that those who come after them may learn a lesson from them, and so that others may be warned because of them.
The word Salaf also refers to "those who came before you of your forefathers and relatives who are your elders and betters. Hence, the first generation of the Taabi'een are known as as-Salaf al-Saalih (the righteous forbearers)."
[See the Arabic-language dictionaries: Taaj al'-Aroos, Lisaan al-'Arab Qaamoos al-Muheet, under the heading Salafa ]
Salaf in Sharee'ah terminology:
When the scholars of 'aqeedah use the word Salaf on its own, they are referring to the Sahaabah, or the Sahaabah and the Taabi'een, or the Sahaabah and Taabi'een and their followers in the best generations, such as the leading scholars who were known for their trustworthiness and virtue, and for the following the Sunnah and teaching others to do likewise, and for avoiding bid'ah and warning others against it, and those whom the Ummah recognises as leaders and prominent figures in Islaam. Hence, the first generation is known as as-Salaf as-Saalih (the righteous forebears).
Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And whoever opposes the Messenger [Muhammad] 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! (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:115)
And the foremost to embrace Islaam of the Muhaajireen and the Ansaar and also those who followed them exactly [in Faith] Allaah is well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared for them Gardens under which rivers flow [Paradise], to dwell therein forever: That is the supreme success. (Soorat ut-Tawbah, 9:100)
And the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree & Saheeh Muslim)
The Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), his Companions and those who follow them in truth are the Salaf of this Ummah. Everyone who proclaims the same message as the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his companions and those who followed them in truth is following the path of the Salaf.
Time is not a factor in this definition rather what matters is being in accordance with the Qur'aan and Sunnah in beliefs ('aqeedah), rulings and following the interpretation of the Salaf. Everyone who acts in accordance with the Qur'aan and Sunnah is a follower of the Salaf, even if he is far away from them in time and place. Whoever differs from them is not one of them, even if he lived among them.
The Imaam or leader of the righteous Salaf is the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah. And those who are with him are forceful against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them bowing and prostrating [in prayer], seeking Bounty from Allaah and [His] Good Pleasure. Their mark is on their faces [foreheads] from the traces of prostration [during prayers]. This is their description in the Tawraat [Torah]. But their description in the Injeel [Gospel] is (Soorat ul-Fat'h, 48:29)
Allaah has made a connection between obedience to Him and obedience to his Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as He (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And whoever obeys Allaah and the Messenger [Muhammad], those will be with the ones upon whom Allaah has bestowed favour of the Prophets, the steadfast affirmers of truth, the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:69)
Allaah has stated that obedience towards the Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is obedience towards Him, as He (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
He who obeys the Messenger [Muhammad], has indeed obeyed Allaah, but he who turns away, then we have no sent you [O' Muhammad] as a guardian over them. (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:80)
Allaah tells us that not obeying the Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) causes good deeds to be cancelled out and to be in vain, as He, the Exalted, the All-Glorious, says:
O' you who have believed! Obey Allaah, and obey the Messenger [Muhammad] and do not invalidate your deeds. (Soorat Muhammad, 47:33)
Allaah forbids us from going against the commands of the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as he (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And whosoever disobeys Allaah and His Messenger [Muhammad], and transgresses His limits, He will cast him into the Fire, to abide eternally therein; and he shall have a disgraceful torment. (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:14)
Allaah commands us to take that which the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) enjoins upon us, and to leave alone that which he forbids us. Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And whatsoever the Messenger [Muhammad] gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain [from it]. And fear Allaah; Verily, Allaah is Severe in punishment. (Soorat ul-Hashr, 59:7)
Allaah tells us to refer to the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) for judgement in all Affairs of our lives, as He (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
But no, by your Lord, they will not [truly] believe until they make you [O' Muhammad] judge in all disputes between them, and then find within themselves no discomfort from what you have judged and submit with full submission. (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:65)
Allaah has told us that His Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is the best and highest example whom we must follow, as He (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah [Muhammad] you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for [the Meeting with] Allaah and the Last Day, and remembers Allaah much. (Soorat ul-Ahzaab, 33:21)
Allaah has stated His approval is connected to the approval of his Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as He, the Almighty, All-Powerful, says:
But Allaah and His Messenger are more worthy for them to satisfy, if they should be believers. (Soorat ut-Tawbah, 9:62)
Allaah has stated that following His Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) is a sign of loving Him, as He (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
Say [O' Muhammad to mankind]: If you [really] love Allaah then follow me [i.e. accept Islaamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'aan and the Sunnah], Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (Soorat Aali 'Imraan, 3:31)
Hence, when disputes arose, the reference point for the righteous Salaf was the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), as Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
[And] if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you should believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination. (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:59)
The best of the Salaf (pious predecessors) after the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) are the Sahaabah who learned their religion from him and followed it sincerely, as Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) has described them in His Book:
Among the believers are men who have been true to their covenant with Allaah [i.e. they have gone out for Jihaad (holy fighting), and showed not their backs to the disbelievers]; amongst them some have fulfilled their vows [i.e. have been martyred]; and some of them are still waiting, but they have never changed [i.e. they never proved treacherous to their covenant which they concluded with Allaah] in the least. (Soorat ul-Ahzaab, 33:23)
Next are those who came after them in the best early centuries, of whom the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree & Saheeh Muslim)
Hence the Sahaabah and Taabi'een are more deserving of being followed than anyone else, because of the sincerity of their faith and worship. They are the guardians of 'aqeedah and Sharee'ah, as they acted in accordance with it in word and deed. Hence, Allaah chose them to spread His religion and to convey the Sunnah of His Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam).
The Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"My Ummah will split into seventy-three groups, all of whom will be in the Fire apart from one." They asked: "Who are they, O' Messenger of Allaah?" He said: "(Those who follow) my path and the path of my Companions." (Sunan at-Tirmidhee, graded Saheeh by al-Albaanee)
Everyone, throughout history, who follows the example of the righteous Salaf and follows their path, is known as a Salafee, named after them in order to distinguish between him and those who go against the path of the Salaf and follow a way other than theirs.
Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And whoever opposed the Messenger [Muhammad] 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! (Soorat un-Nisaa', 4:115)
No Muslim can help feeling proud of being connected to them.
The word as-Salafiyyah has become a signpost for the way of the righteous Salaf in approaching Islaam, understanding it and applying it. Hence, the word as-Salafiyyah is applied to those who adhere completely to the Book of Allaah and the proven Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) according to the understanding of the Salaf.
Sunnah in the Arabic Language:
The word Sunnah is derived from the verb Sanna / Yasinnu. Sanna al-Amra means he explained the matter. Sunnah means a way or path, whether it is good or bad. For example, the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"You will most certainly follow the ways (Sunan) of those who came before you, hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit." (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree & Saheeh Muslim)
Meaning: You will follow their ways in both religious and worldly matters.
And the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever introduces a good way into Islaam (man sanna fil-Islaami sunnatan hasanah) [good, pious] will have the reward for that and the reward of everyone who follows it after him, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. And whoever introduces a bad thing into Islaam (man sanna fil-Islaam sunnatan say'iah (evil displeasing) " (Saheeh al-Bukhaaree & Saheeh Muslim)
Sunnah in Sharee'ah terminology:
In Sharee'ah terminology, the word Sunnah refers to the path followed by the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions, in terms of knowledge, beliefs, words, deeds and what they approved of.
The word Sunnah is also applied to Sunnah acts of worship. The opposite of Sunnah is bid'ah (innovation / heresy).
The Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"Whoever among you lives after I die will see many differences. I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the way of the rightly-guided caliphs." (Abu Daawood & at-Tirmidhee)
Al-Jamaa'ah in Arabic language:
This is taken from the root Jam', which means joining or bringing a thing together by bringing part of it close to another part. It is said Jama'tuhu meaning I collected (or assembled) it.
This is derived from ijtimaa' (coming together), which is the opposite of tafarruq (splitting apart) and the opposite of furqah (division).
The word Jamaa'ah refers to a large number of people, or to a group of people who are united in their pursuit of a single goal.
The Jamaa'ah are the people who agree (ijtama'oo) on a given matter.
[See the Arabic-language dictionaries: Lisaan al-'Arab, Mukhtaar as-Sihaah and al-Qaamoos al-Muheet, under the heading Jama'a ]
Jamaa'ah in Sharee'ah terminology:
Jamaa'at ul-Muslimeen are the Salaf of this Ummah, namely the Sahaabah, the Taabi'een and those who follow them in truth until the Day of Judgement, those who are united in following the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and who follow the same path as the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) inwardly and outwardly.
Allaah has commanded His believing slaves to adhere to the Jamaa'ah and to unite and co-operate with one another; and He has forbidden them to be divided and to split apart. Allaah (subhaanahu wa t'aalaa) says:
And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allaah [i.e. this Qur'aan], and be not divided among yourselves (Soorat Aali 'Imraan, 3:103)
And be not as those who divided and differed among themselves after the clear proofs had come to them. (Soorat Aali 'Imraan, 3:105)
And the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:
"This nation will split into seventy-three groups, seventy-two of whom will be in the Fire and one in Paradise. They are al-Jamaa'ah." (Abu Daawood, graded Saheeh by al-Albaanee)
And he (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) also said:
"(I urge you to adhere to) the Jamaa'ah, and beware of division, for the Shaytaan is with one and further away from two. Whoever wants to be in the centre of Paradise, let him adhere to the Jamaa'ah." (Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, graded Saheeh by al-Albaanee)
The great Sahaabee 'Abdullaah ibn Mas'ood (radee Allaahu 'anhu) said:
"The Jamaa'ah is that which is in accordance with the truth, even if you alone." (Sharh Usool I'tiqaad Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah by Imaam al-Laalikaa'ee)
So Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah are those who adhere to the Sunnah of the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) and the path of his companions and those who follow them and adhere to their path in belief and word and deed; those who adhere to follow (the Sunnah) and avoid innovation. They will continue to prevail and will be supported by Allaah until the Day of Resurrection, so following them is right guidance and going against them is misguidance.
Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah are distinguished from other groups by certain characteristics and features, such as the following:
1) They are people of moderation who tread a middle path between extremism and negligence, between exaggeration and neglect, whether that has to do with 'aqeedah, rulings or behaviour. So they are the middle group among the groups of the Ummah, just as the Ummah is the middle nation among other nations.
2) They only follow the Qur'aan and Sunnah, paying attention to them and submitting to their texts, and they interpret them according to the methodology of the Salaf.
3) They do not have a venerated Imaam whose words they accept wholesale and reject anything that goes against that, apart from the Messenger of Allaah (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam). They are the most knowledgeable of people about him and his words and deeds, hence they are the ones who love his Sunnah the most and are most keen to follow it, and they have the greatest love for those who follow the Sunnah.
4) They
refrain from arguing about religious matters and avoid people who engage in such arguments. They refrain from disputing about matters of halaal (lawful) and haraam (unlawful), and they accept the religion wholeheartedly.
5) They venerate the righteous Salaf, and believe that the way of the Salaf is safer, more based on knowledge and wiser.
6) They reject misinterpretation and submit to Sharee'ah, giving precedence to the narrated texts over human reasoning - or conceptions - and subjugating the latter to the former.
7) They reconcile between different texts on a single issue, and interpret ambiguous texts by referring to unambiguous texts.
8) They set an example to the righteous, guiding people to the truth and to the straight path, by adhering to the truth and not wavering, by agreeing upon matters of 'aqeedah, by combining knowledge with worship, reliance upon Allaah with following the
means, engagement in worldly affairs with piety, fear with hope, love (for the believers) with hate (of the disbelievers), mercy and kindness towards the believers with harshness against the kuffar. They do not develop differences regardless of variations in their times and places of living.
9) They do not give themselves names based on anything other than Islaam, the Sunnah and the Jamaa'ah.
10) They strive to propagate correct 'aqeedah and the true religion, to teach and guide the people, to advise them sincerely and to be concerned about their affairs.
11) They are the most patient in putting-up with what the people say and with people's errant beliefs, and in calling them to truth.
12) They are keen on unity and harmony, which they promote and call people to. They avoid disputes and division, and warn the people against them.
13) Allaah has protected them from
denouncing one another as kaafir's so they judge people on the basis of knowledge and justice.
14) They love one another and are compassionate towards one another. They cooperate with one another, making up for one another's shortcomings. They do not regard anyone as a friend or an enemy except on the basis of religion
In conclusion they are the best of people in attitude, the most-keen to purify themselves by obeying Allaah, the most open-minded, the most far-sighted, the most accepting of other people's opinions, and the most knowledgeable with regard to the etiquette and principles of dispute.
The description of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah may be summed up as follows:
They are the group whom the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) promised that they would be saved from division. This is based on adherence to the Sunnah and agreeing with the beliefs, acts of worship, guidance, behaviour and attitudes which it teaches, and adhering to the Jamaa'ah or main body of the Muslims.
Hence, the definition of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah is not different from the definition of the Salaf, and we know that the Salaf are those who act in accordance with the Qur'aan and adhere to the Sunnah. So the Salaf are the people of the Sunnah (Ahlus-Sunnah) whom the Prophet (sall-Allaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) meant, and Ahlus-Sunnah are the righteous Salaf and those who follow their path.
This is the specific meaning of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. This excludes every group that follows bid'ah (heresy) or whims and desires, such as the Khawaarij, Jahmiyyah, Qadariyyah, Mu'tazilah, Murji'ah, Raafidah, Ash'ariyyah and other followers of innovation and those who follow their paths.
Sunnah here is the opposite of bid'ah, and Jamaa'ah is the opposite of division. This is what is meant in the ahaadeeth which enjoin adhering to the Jamaa'ah and forbid division.
This is what was meant by the interpreter of the Qur'aan - 'Abdullaah ibn 'Abbaas (radee Allaahu 'anhumaa) - when he commented on the verse in which Allaah says:
On the Day [i.e. the Day of Resurrection] when some faces will become white and some faces will become black (Soorat Aali 'Imraan, 3:106)
Ibn 'Abbaas (radee Allaahu 'anhumaa) said:
"The faces of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah will become white, and the faces of the followers of bid'ah and division will become black." (Tafseer ibn Kathir, Vol. 1, P. 390)
So the phrase as-Salaf as-Saalih (the righteous salaf) is synonymous with the phrase Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. Other names which they are given include Ahlus al-Athar (the people of the hadeeth), at-Taa'ifah al-Mansoorah (the victorious group), al-Firqah an-Naajiyah (the saved group). Ahlus al-Ittibaa' [the people who follow (the Sunnah)]. There is an abundance of such names that are used by scholars of the Salaf.
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{Invite (mankind, O Muhammad ) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islam) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'an) 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.}
(Holy Quran-16:125)
{And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allah (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allah's (Islamic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims."} (Holy Quran-41:33)
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "By Allah, if Allah guides one person by you, it is better for you than the best types of camels." [al-Bukhaaree, Muslim]
The prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) also said, "Whoever calls to guidance will have a reward similar to the reward of the one who follows him, without the reward of either of them being lessened at all."
[Muslim, Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, an-Nasaa'ee, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah]
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