In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

An Introduction to the Salafi Da'wah

 The article was taken from: www.qss.org
 Edited by Ummu Mariam.

 

 

 

Verily, all praises and thanks are due to Allah, we praise Him, seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allah from the evils of our souls and evils of our deeds. One whom Allah guides none can lead him astray, and one whom He misguides, none can guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad (SAAS) is His servant and His messenger.

"O you who believe! Fear Allah (by doing all that He has ordered and by abstaining from all that He has forbidden) as He should be feared. (Obey Him, be thankful to Him, and remember Him always), and die not except in a state of Islam [as Muslims (with complete submission to Allah)]." (Al-Qur‘aan 3:102 - interpretation of the meaning)

"O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single person (Adam), and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you." (Al-Qur‘aan 4:1 - interpretation of the meaning)

"O you who believe! Keep your duty to Allah and fear Him, and speak (always) the truth. He will direct you to do righteous good deeds and will forgive you your sins. And whosoever obeys Allah and His Messenger (SAAS) he has indeed achieved a great achievement (i.e. he will be saved from the Hell-fire and made to enter Paradise)." (Al-Qur‘aan 33:70-71 - interpretation of the meaning)

Ammaa ba'd (as for what follows), the best of speech is the speech of Allah that is the Book of Allah. The best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (SAAS). Of all matters, the worst are innovations; and everything new is an innovation, and every innovation is a deviation, and every deviation leads to Hell-fire.


Introduction

The Salafi da'wah is that of al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah. It is the Religion of Islam - pure and free from any additions, deletions or alterations. It is to adhere to the Path of the Messenger (SAAS) and of the True Believers (as-Salaf-us-Saalih). As-Salaf is a collective term referring to the Pious Pioneers in Islam and all those who follow in their footsteps in belief, actions and morals.

Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)] 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!" (Al-Qur‘aan 4:115)

Sheikh-ul-Islam ibn Taymiyah rahimahullaah commented on this verse: "All who contradict and oppose the Messenger (SAAS), 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 (SAAS) after the right Path has been shown to them. If one thinks that he is mistaken in following the Path of the Faithful Believers, he is in the same position as one who thinks that he is mistaken in following the Messenger (SAAS)."

 

Who are as-Salaf?

As-Salaf-us-Saalih (or briefly: as-Salaf) refers to the first and best three generations of Muslims. They are the Companions [as-sahaabah (RAA)] of the Prophet (SAAS), their immediate followers (at-taabi'uun), and the followers of at-taabi'uun. These were praised by the Prophet (SAAS): "The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them" (Al-Bukhari and Muslim). The term as-Salaf applies also to the scholars of Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah who followed the way of the first three blessed generations in belief and practices.

Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And the foremost to embrace Islam of al-muhaajiroon (those who migrated from Mecca to Medina) and al-ansaar (the citizens of Medina who helped and gave aid to al-muhaajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah 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." (Al-Qur‘aan 9:100)

Among these scholars are: Abu Hanifah (d. 150 A.H.), al-Awza'i (d. 157 A.H.), ath-Thawree (d. 161 A.H.), al-Layth ibn Sa'd (d. 175 A.H.), Malik ibn Anas (d. 179 A.H.). 'Abdullah ibn al-Mubaarak (d. 181 A.H.), Sufyan ibn 'Uyaynah (d. 198 A.H.), ash-Shafi'i (d. 204 A.H.), Ishaq (d. 238 A.H.), Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 A.H.), al-Bukhari (d. 256 A.H.), Muslim (d. 261 A.H.), Abu Dawud (d. 275 A.H.), ibn Taymiyah (d. 728 A.H.), adh-Dhahabi (d. 748 A.H.), ibn al-Qayyim (d. 751 A.H.), Ibn Kathiir (d. 774 A.H.), Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhaab (d. 1206 A.H.) and his many students, and in our time: Muhammad Nasir ad-Din al-Albaani (d. 1420 A.H.), 'Abd al-'Azeez ibn Baaz (d. 1420 A.H.), Muhammed ibn Saaleh al-'Utheimeen (d. 1421 A.H.), and others. May Allah have mercy upon them all.

The description "Salafi" applies to one who truly attaches himself to as-Salaf. This attachment is not to an arbitrary single person or group of people. It is an attachment to that which will never err - to the guidance of Muhammad (SAAS), his sahaabah (RAA) and their true followers. Likewise, as-Salafiyyah (the Salafi da'wah) is not blind following of any particular sheikh or imam. It is adherence to al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah as understood and practiced collectively by as-Salaf-us-Saalih. A true Salafi values tauhiid, singling out Allah in all acts of worship: in supplication, in seeking aid, in seeking refuge in times of ease and hardship, in sacrifice, in making vows, in fearing and hoping and total reliance, and so on. A true Salafi actively seeks to remove shirk (polytheism) with all his capacity. He knows that victory is not possible without true tauhiid, and that shirk cannot be fought with the likes of it (i.e. with another form of shirk). A true Salafi adheres to the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAS) and of his companions (RAA) after him.

On the authority of Abu Najih al-'Irbad ibn Sariyah (RAA) who said: Allah's Messenger (SAAS) gave us a sermon by which our hearts were filled with fear and tears came to our eyes. We said: "O Allah's Messenger, it is as though this is a farewell sermon, so counsel us." He (SAAS) said: "I counsel you to fear Allah and to give absolute obedience even if a slave becomes your leader. Verily he among you who lives [long] will see great controversy, so you must keep to my Sunnah and to the Sunnah of the rightly-guided Caliphs - cling to them stubbornly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray, and every going astray is in Hell-fire." (Related by Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi, who said that it was a fine and true hadiith.)

Whenever there is a difference of opinion, a true Salafi refers matters to Allah (SWT) and His Prophet (SAAS), acting in accordance with the verse (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)], and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger (SAAS), if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination." (Al-Qur‘aan 4:59) He gives precedence to the Word of Allah and of His Prophet (SAAS) over the opinion of anyone else, in according with the verse (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Make not (a decision) in advance before Allah and His Messenger (SAAS), and fear Allah. Verily, Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." (Al-Qur‘aan 49:1)

A true Salafi revives the Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAS) in his worship and behaviour. This makes him a stranger among people, as the Prophet (SAAS) has described: "Islam began as a stranger, and it will revert to being a stranger just as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers." (Muslim)

And he (SAAS) said in another narration: "So give glad tidings to the few, those who purify and correct what the people have corrupted of my Sunnah." (Authentic; al-Albaani's as-Silsilat-us-Sahiihah number 1273)

A true Salafi enjoins the good and forbids the evil. He warns people, out of deep concern, about shirk, innovations, misguided ways, and of deviant, destructive groups. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining al-ma'roof (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to do) and forbidding al-munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islam has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful." (Al-Qur‘aan 3:104)

A true Salafi constantly seeks Allah's forgiveness, makes true repentance, remembers Allah abundantly, and rushes to perform the righteous deeds in order to purify his soul. Thus he attempts to follow the verse (interpretation of the meaning): "Indeed he succeeds who purifies his ownself (i.e. obeys and performs all that Allah ordered, by following the true Faith of Islamic Monotheism and by doing righteous good deeds)." (Al-Qur‘aan 91:9)

A true Salafi worships Allah out of a combination of fear, hope and love. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And do not do mischief on the earth, after it has been set in order, and invoke Him with fear and hope. Surely, Allah's Mercy is (ever) near unto the good-doers." (Al-Qur‘aan 7:56)

Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And of mankind are some who take (for worship) others besides Allah as rivals (to Allah). They love them as they love Allah. But those who believe love Allah more (than anything else). If only, those who do wrong could see, when they will see the torment, that all power belongs to Allah and that Allah is Severe in punishment." (Al-Qur‘aan 2:165)

A true Salafi is not of al-Khawaarij who consider most Muslims to be kuffaar (disbelievers) because of committing sins. He is not of the Shia who revile as-sahaabah (RAA), who claim that al-Qur‘aan has been altered, who reject the authentic Sunnah, and who worship the Prophet's family. He is not of the Qadariyyah who deny al-qadar (the Divine Decree). He is not of the murji‘ah who claim that eemaan is only words without deeds. He is not of the Mu'attelah who deny Allah's Attributes. He is not of the Sufis who worship graves and claim Divine incarnation. He is not of the Muqalliduun who insist that every Muslim should adhere to the madhhab (school of thought) of a particular imam or sheikh, even when that madhhab conflicts with the clear texts of al-Qur‘aan or authentic as-Sunnah.

Thus the true Salaf are Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa'ah. They are at-Taa‘ifat-ul-Mansoorah (the Aided, Victorious Group) and al-Firqat-un-Naajiyyah (the Saved Sect) which have been described in several ahaadiith. It has been narrated on the authority of 'Umayr ibn Ummu Haani (RAA) who said: I heard Mu'awiya say (while delivering a sermon from the pulpit) that he heard Allah's Messenger (SAAS) say: "A group of people from my ummah will continue to obey Allah's Command, and those who desert or oppose them shall not be able to do them any harm. They will be dominating the people until Allah's Command is executed (i.e. Resurrection is established)." (Muslim)

'Abdullah ibn 'Amr (RAA) narrated that Allah's Messenger (SAAS) said: "There will befall my ummah exactly (all those) evils which befell the children of Israel, so much so that if there was one amongst them who openly committed fornication with his mother there will be among my ummah one who will do that, and if the children of Israel were fragmented into seventy-two sects, my ummah will be fragmented into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in Hell Fire except one sect." They [the companions (RAA)] said: "Allah's Messenger, which is that?" Whereupon he (SAAS) said: "It is one to which I and my companions belong." (Mishkaat-ul-Masaabiih, transmitted by at-Tirmidhi)

It was reported from 'Awf ibn Malik (RAA) who said: Allah's Messenger (SAAS) said: "The Jews were divided into seventy-one sects, one of which is in Paradise and seventy are in the Fire. The Nazarenes were divided into seventy-two sects, seventy-one of which are in the Fire and one is in Paradise. By the One in Whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, my ummah will be divided into seventy-three sects, one of which will be in Paradise and seventy-two will be in the Fire." It was said, O Messenger of Allah, who are they (the people of Paradise)? He said: "Al-jamaa'ah." (Sunan ibn Maajah. Sheikh Nasir ad-Din al-Albaani rahimahullaah classed it as sahiih in Sahiih al-Jaami' as-Saghiir.)

In another hadiith the Prophet explained what is meant by al-jamaa'ah: "…The one which will follow the same path as what I and my companions are following today." (Authentic; transmitted by Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi and others)

Upon comprehending this, a Muslim has no option but to be Salafi. In doing so he attaches himself to that group which has been guaranteed success, victory, salvation and safety from the Fire.

 

The Fundamental Principles of the Salafi Da'wah

The Salafi da'wah stands upon the principles of tauhiid (the Oneness of Allah) and tazkiyyah (purification).

 

Tauhiid

Tauhiid means to accept and believe in the Oneness of Allah (SWT) and in the uniqueness of His Message. It means to worship Allah (SWT) alone, and to worship Him in accordance with His legislation. Tauhiid encompasses the following principles:

  1. To believe in Allah's existence and ownership of the creation, which is sometimes referred to as tauhiid-ur-robuubiyyah (Oneness of the Lordship of Allah). Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "All praises and thanks are Allah's, the Lord of the 'aalamiin (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." (Al-Qur‘aan 1:2) And He, the Most High, says (interpretation of the meaning): "The Creator of the heavens and the earth. He has made for you mates from yourselves, and for the cattle (also) mates. By this means He creates you (in the wombs). There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (Al-Qur‘aan 42:11)

  2. To believe that Allah possesses the Attributes of perfection and the Most Excellent Names, as mentioned in al-Qur‘aan and authentic Sunnah, and in accordance to their literal Arabic meanings without denial of these attributes or likening them to the attributes of His creation. This is sometimes referred to as tauhiid-ul-asmaa‘ was-sefaat (Oneness of the Names and the Attributes of Allah). Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "Say: 'He is Allah, (the) One. Allah-us-Samad [Allah – 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.'" (Al-Qur‘aan 112:1-4)

    3. Allah, the Most High, also says (interpretation of the meaning): "…There is nothing like Him, and He is the All-Hearer, the All-Seer." (Al-Qur‘aan 42:11)

    Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And (all) the Most Beautiful Names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them, and leave the company of those who belie or deny (or utter impious speech against) His Names. They will be requited for what they used to do." (Al-Qur‘aan 7:180)

  3. To believe that Allah is the only one worthy of worship and full obedience, which is sometimes referred to as tauhiid-ul-uluuhiyyah or ilaahiyyah, or tauhiid-ul-'ubuudiyyah or 'ibaadah (Oneness of the worship of Allah). Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And the mosques are for Allah (alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah." (Al-Qur‘aan 72:18)

And He, the Exalted, says: "Say [O Muhammad (SAAS)]: 'I am only a man like you. It has been revealed to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God – i.e. Allah). 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.'" (Al-Qur‘aan 18:110)

It is also necessary to believe in the uniqueness of Prophet Muhammad's Message and in the obligation to follow him exclusively. This is sometimes referred to as the tauhiid-ul-ittibaa' (Oneness of adherence). Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "Say [O Muhammad (SAAS) to mankind]: 'If you (really) love Allah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah), Allah will love you and forgive you your sins. And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.'" (Al-Qur‘aan 3:31)

The Salafi manhaj (the methodology of the Righteous Predecessors) maintains that these forms of tauhiid are inseparable from one another. They are the essence of the meaning of the testimony: "Laa ilaaha illa Allah, Muhammadun Rasuulu Allah" (there is none worthy of being worshipped except Allah, and Muhammad is Allah's Messenger). The Salafi methodology places special emphasis on the tauhiid-ul-ittibaa' because of the general tendency among many Muslims to neglect it. Thus it emphasizes the following items:

    Belief that the revelation to the Prophet (SAAS) is the final revelation, and that it is composed of two complementary and inseparable parts: al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah. The Prophet (SAAS) said: "I have indeed been given al-Qur‘aan and, along with it, something similar to it." (Authentic; transmitted by Abu Dawud and ad-Daarimee) And he (SAAS) said: "As long as you hold fast to two things which I have left among you, you will never go astray: Allah's Book and my Sunnah." (Authentic; transmitted by al-Haakim)

    Belief that obedience to the Messenger must be absolute, and that his position is unapproachable by anyone else among humanity. The Prophet (SAAS) is alone to be obeyed and followed. All beliefs, statements, deeds and morals which conflict with his teachings are to be rejected and avoided. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger (SAAS), and turn not away from him [i.e. Messenger Muhammad (SAAS)] while you are hearing." (Al-Qur‘aan 8:20)

    Directing perfect love to Prophet Muhammad (SAAS), which should be exhibited in adherence to his commands, swiftness in obeying him, putting his statements above and ahead of all others, studying his siirah, and studying and implementing his Sunnah in everyday life. The Prophet (SAAS) has said: "None of you believes until I become more beloved to him than his father, child and all mankind." (Muslim)

It is unfortunate that true adherence to the way of the Prophet (SAAS) has weakened in the ummah and true love for him has all but disappeared because of:

    Abandoning his Sunnah and removing it from our daily lives, belittling it, and developing an attitude of pride and arrogance toward it.

    The spread of numerous unsubstantiated and fabricated ahaadiith among Muslims.

    The spread of many bida' (innovations) among Muslims.

    Blind following (taqliid) of a specific madhhab.

    Delivering Islamic verdicts without knowledge or evidence.

    Ceasing to implement the sharee'ah (Islamic Law) throughout the lands of Islam and replacing it by the ways and laws of the kuffaar (disbelievers).

 

Tazkiyyah

Tazkiyyah, on the other hand, means to be purified or to purify oneself by adhering to Allah's commands. In its best form, it would be to worship Him with complete surrender, submission, and devotion. This is a great favour that Allah, the Most High, bestowed on this ummah. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "Indeed, Allah conferred a great favour on the believers when He sent among them a Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)] from among themselves, reciting unto them His Verses (al-Qur‘aan), and purifying them (from sins by their following him), and instructing them (in) the Book (al-Qur‘aan) and al-hikmah [the wisdom and as-Sunnah of the Prophet (SAAS) (i.e. his legal ways, statements and acts of worship)], while before that they had been in manifest error." (Al-Qur‘aan 3:164)

The following points should help clarify the true meaning of tazkiyyah:

    Al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah are the only sources for tazkiyyah.

    The Prophet (SAAS) is the purest of mankind in his soul. His character reflected the teachings of al-Qur‘aan. Therefore, he is our model for tazkiyyah. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "Indeed in Allah's Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)] you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting with) Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah much." (Al-Qur‘aan 33:21)

    The Prophet's companions (RAA) and the rest of the Salaf are, as a group, a fine model to be followed in tazkiyyah.

    There is no way of drawing closer to Allah except by adhering to what Prophet Muhammad (SAAS) came with. On the authority of 'Aisha (RAA), who said: Allah's Messenger (SAAS) said: "He who innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. the religion of Islam) that is not of it will have it rejected." (Related by al-Bukhari and Muslim)

    There is no way to attain tazkiyyah but through the teachings of Islam. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "O you who believe! Enter perfectly into Islam (by obeying all the rules and regulations of the religion of Islam) and follow not the footsteps of Shaitaan (Satan). Verily, he is to you a plain enemy." (Al-Qur‘aan 2:208) Thus there can be no tazkiyyah through deviant approaches of various groups, such as the Sufis who have corrupted the beliefs and practices of the Muslims.

    The Salafi manhaj represents the true exemplification of piety. It is eemaan without hypocrisy, purity without corruption.

 

The Aims and Objectives of the Salafi Da'wah

The Salafi da'wah is not a political party or a new madhhab. Rather, the Salafi da'wah is that of Islam in its totality, addressing all humanity irrespective of culture, race, or colour. It is the complete and perfect methodology of understanding Islam and acting according to its teachings.

Consequently, the aims of the Salafi da'wah are no different than those of the da'wah of Islam. Therefore the Salafis remain distinct from the various sects and groups in the way and methodology of their da'wah. They call to Islam as a whole - to its correct understanding and implementation. Misguided groups and deviant sects emphasize and call to particular aspects of Islam, thereby neglecting its other aspects to suit their own needs, as well as losing sight of the purpose and perspective for which they have been created; which is, as Allah, the Exalted, has stated (interpretation of the meaning): "And I (Allah) created not the jinn and mankind except that they should worship Me (Alone)." (Al-Qur‘aan 51:56)

And He, the Exalted, has said (interpretation of the meaning): "And they were commanded not, but that they should worship Allah, and worship none but Him Alone (abstaining from ascribing partners to Him), and perform as-salaah (the five compulsory prayers) and give az-zakaah, and that is the right religion." (Al-Qur‘aan 98:5)

This, in essence, is the call of all the Prophets: calling to the tauhiid of Allah, to the annihilation of shirk, to sincerity in His worship, to obedience to His Messengers, and to adherence to their way. This is also the essence of the Salafi da'wah. This can further be itemized into the following practical objectives:

    Return to the sublime Qur‘aan and to the Prophet's authentic Sunnah, and comprehend them both in accordance with the understanding and practice of as-Salaf: This conforms with what Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And whoever contradicts and opposes the Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)] 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!" (Al-Qur‘aan 4:115)

    Allah, the Exalted, also says (interpretation of the meaning): "So if they believe in the like of that which you believe then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition. So Allah will suffice for you against them. And He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower." (Al-Qur‘aan 2:137 - interpretation of the meaning)

    Caution Muslims and exhort them to cleanse their lives of all forms of: shirk (polytheism), bida', and philosophy or other thoughts alien to the pure, essential tenets of Islam. This is a duty that Allah, the Exalted, enjoined upon us: "…Help you one another in al-birr and at-taqwaa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment." (Al-Qur‘aan 5:2 - interpretation of the meaning)

    Cleanse the Sunnah of the weak and fabricated narrations. The problems referred to in this and the previous point have marred the clarity of Islam and have prevented the progress of Muslims. This imposes on us the responsibility referred to by the Messenger (SAAS): "A trustworthy group from every generation will carry this knowledge, expelling from it the alterations made by those going beyond bounds, and the false claims of the liars, and the misinterpretations of the ignorant." (Authentic; transmitted by ibn 'Adiyy and others)

    Educate Muslims and urge them to comply with the true religion, to act according to its teachings, and to adorn themselves with its virtues and ethics. This will ensure Allah's acceptance and will realize for them happiness and honour, as indicated in the following: "By al-'asr (the time). Verily, man is in loss, except those who believe (in Islamic Monotheism) and do righteous good deeds, and recommend one another to the truth [i.e. order one another to perform all kinds of good deeds (al-ma'roof) which Allah has ordained, and abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds (al-munkar) which Allah has forbidden], and recommend one another to patience (for the sufferings, harms, and injuries which one may encounter in Allah's Cause during preaching His religion of Islamic Monotheism)." (Al-Qur‘aan 103:1-3 – interpretation of the meaning)

    Strive to revive Islamic thought within the boundaries of Islamic principles, and oppose stubborn adherence to madhaahib and prejudiced loyalty to parties. These problems have diverted Muslims from the pure original sources of Islam, and have deviated them from the honest Islamic brotherhood called to by Allah, the Most High (interpretation of the meaning): "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allah (i.e. this Qur‘aan), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allah'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 Islamic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allah makes His aayaat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided." (Al-Qur‘aan 3:103) And by His Messenger (SAAS): "Be, worshippers of Allah, one brethren." (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

    Present realistic Islamic solutions to contemporary problems, and strive to resume a true Islamic way of life and to establish a true Islamic society governed by Allah's law. Allah, the Exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning): "And so judge [you O Muhammad (SAAS)] among them by what Allah has revealed and follow not their vain desires, but beware of them lest they turn you [O Muhammad (SAAS)] far away from some of that which Allah has sent down to you. And if they turn away, then know that Allah's Will is to punish them for some sins of theirs. And truly, most of men are faasiqoon (rebellious and disobedient to Allah)." (Al-Qur‘aan 5:49)

We call upon all Muslims to support us in carrying out this noble trust which will surely elevate and honour them and spread the eternal message of Islam all over the earth. Allah, the Expounder of all success, has promised this, and His promise is surely true: "He it is Who has sent His Messenger [Muhammad (SAAS)] with guidance and the religion of truth (Islamic Monotheism) to make it victorious over all (other) religions even though the mushrikuun [polytheists, pagans, idolaters, and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah and in His Messenger Muhammad (SAAS)] hate (it)." (Al-Qur‘aan 61:9 - interpretation of the meaning)

 

Misconceptions about the Salafi Da'wah

The following is a number of misconceptions about the Salafi da'wah:

    Calling as-Salafiyyah a "movement" or "movements." It should be clear to all that the Salafi da'wah is Islam, no more and no less. It is the True Islam with all its teachings and implications. Anyone who talks about it as an outsider might as well talk about Islam as an outsider! It is the teachings of al-Qur‘aan and the authentic Sunnah in the light of practices and understanding of as-Salaf. A "movement" is meant to indicate something temporal or reactionary, whereas the Salafi da'wah is the only true, constant and blessed da'wah of the prophets.

    Thinking or claiming that as-Salaf are followers of a fifth madhhab which is attributed to ibn Taymiyah or ibn Baaz or al-Albaani. This is a grave misconception. As stated above, the sources of as-Salaf are al-Qur‘aan, as-Sunnah and the methodology of as-Salaf. If these scholars rely in their ijtihaad on these sources then we take what they say, not because they said it, rather because Allah or His Messenger (SAAS) said it or called to it directly or indirectly through the known channels of ijtihaad. The same applies to all scholars throughout the ages. We take from them all what conforms with al-Qur‘aan and as-Sunnah and we reject what does not.

    The Salaf da'wah is against all forms of baseless allegiance for parties, factions, races, nations, etc. The only allowed allegiance is to Allah and His Messenger and to what stems from it. The leader of all Salafis is Muhammad (SAAS). Anyone else will be respected and obeyed in as much as he obeys Allah and His Messenger. Claiming that the Salafi da'wah calls its followers to be disorganized and chaotic in their behaviour is another misconception. Work has to be organized and orderly, as was taught by the Messenger (SAAS) on many occasions, but it should avoid the hizbiyyah (partisanship) disease described above.

    The Salafi da'wah puts a strong emphasis on tarbiyyah (education and cultivation). This is not a mere academic educational process; rather, it is a complete process which is meant to raise committed Muslims who understand their religion and who practice it in the best possible way.

We ask Allah ta'aalaa to guide us to the truth, to steady our feet, and to forgive our shortcomings.


Added to our page on Thursday the 2nd of Rajab, 1427/the 27th of July, 2006



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