At a time when the Muslims were united upon one creed and one methodology, there were no sects and no competing “forms” of Islam. The Muslims simply called themselves Muslims, as Allah had named them.
Then deviations began to appear. The Khawarij emerged, followed by the Qadariyyah and other deviant groups. These titles were used by the Sahabah to distinguish such groups from the Muslims who remained upon the truth.
Later came the Rafidah, the Murji’ah, and many others. These names were given by the Sahabah and their students to identify and clarify these deviations.
As time passed, the Ummah spread across lands and more sects emerged. Meanwhile, the number of Sahabah and their students steadily decreased until those adhering to the original understanding became one group among many. The Prophet ﷺ foretold this when he said:
“My Ummah will split into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire except one.”
Those who remained firmly attached to the way of the Prophet ﷺ, his Companions, and their students became known by names such as Ahl al-Sunnah, Ahl al-Hadith, and Athari. These names were not adopted out of partisanship, but to distinguish the people of Sunnah from the people of innovation.
This is the principle Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah articulated:
“There is no fault upon one who openly professes the doctrine of the Salaf and ascribes himself to it; rather, it is obligatory by consensus to accept this from him, for the doctrine of the Salaf can only be truth.” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa, 4/149)
When Ibn Taymiyyah himself was examined by the scholars of Damascus regarding his creed, Ibn ‘Abd al-Hadi records:
“Agreement then settled upon the conclusion that this was a sound Salafi creed.” (al-‘Uqud al-Durriyyah, p. 212)
Likewise, twenty years ago, you would hardly find anyone calling themselves Salafi except the students and followers of Shaykh Ibn Baz, al-Albani, Muqbil, and Ibn ‘Uthaymin.
At that time, many people of bid‘ah objected to the term, saying, “Allah called us Muslims.” Yet they had no issue using labels such as Khariji, Rafidi, Murji’, or Sufi. The reality is that names become necessary when deviations arise and distinctions must be made.
Today, however, all kinds of people claim Salafiyyah. But the issue was never merely about a name. The purpose was always to distinguish oneself from the people of innovation and to identify with the methodology of the Salaf.
A Salafi is one who follows the Qur’an and Sunnah according to the understanding of the first three virtuous generations: the Sahabah, the Tabi‘un, and the Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in.
Al-Dhahabi used the term in exactly this sense. About Ibn al-Salah he wrote:
“Salafi in his general orientation, sound in creed.” (Siyar, 23/142)
About al-Daraqutni:
“Rather, he was Salafi.” (Siyar, 16/457)
And regarding the qualities of a scholar of hadith:
“…pure, modest, and Salafi.” (Siyar, 13/380)
In every instance, the term is a description of a person’s creed and methodology, not merely a claim.
The way to determine whether someone is truly upon Salafiyyah is not by the label they adopt, but by comparing their beliefs and methodology to the books and statements of the Salaf. Whoever agrees with them is upon their way., and whoever opposes them has departed from their path to the extent of that opposition.
In India, many of these people became known as Ahl al-Hadith. Elsewhere they were called Athari. Al-Dhahabi described Ibn Hubayrah as:
“Salafi and Athari in creed.” (Siyar, 20/317)
The names differed according to time and place, but the methodology remained one.
As the well-known saying goes:
“Between us and you are the books of the Salaf.”
The criterion is not personalities, slogans, organisations, or mere claims. Rather, it is adherence to the understanding and methodology of the Salaf, preserved in their books, narrations, and teachings.
أخي وأختي نصيحة بعد أن قضيت ستين عاما في هذه الدنيا ، وأفنيت معظمها في رحاب العلم ، وهذه النصيحة خلاصة ماتعلمته من العلم ، ومن تجارب الدنيا ، وإذا عملت بهذه النصيحة فلا عليك بما فاتك من الدنيا :
( اهتم بمن أنت عند الله ، واحرص على أن تكون كمايريد الله أن تكون )
Some of the Salaf رحمهم الله said:
Save your rest for your grave. And minimize your amusement and sleep. For indeed, awaiting you is a sleep whose morning is the Day of Judgment.
Duraru Min Aqwali as-Salaf as-Salih
Mohammad Hijab is now finally showing his true colors for everyone to see.
To respond to his so called ‘Najdi Fork’
➠ The answer is no, the Mujadid Al-Imām Mohammad Ibn Abd Al-Wahab (رحمه الله) would not make Takfīr in the Muslim rulers of today.
The reason for this, is that the S͟hayk͟h (رحمه الله) is from the furthest people when it comes to extremism in Takfīr to the point that he would only Takfīr on matters there is the clearest of consensus on (Refer to: Al-Durar Al-Saniyah 1/102).
Sh. ʿAbdul Latif B. Abd Al Rahman Ibn Hassan said: “[…] and Al-S͟hayk͟h Mohammad (Ibn Abd Al Wahab) May Aḷḷāh have mercy on him, is not hasty rather the most cautious when it comes to excommunication (Takfīr), to the point where he was not certain in declaring the ignorant who calls upon other than Aḷḷāh at the graves a Kafir. (Minhāj al-Taʾsīs 3/99).
We also know that Takfīr on the rulers is only done with a clear cut Kufr as in the ḥadīṯh. So it is for you to imagine how cautious the S͟hayk͟h would treat such a matter. This includes all the matters which you’ve mentioned (Muwala, Halimiyah, Udhr bil Jahl).
The S͟hayk͟h (رحمه الله) said: “As for what the opposition have mentioned about me, that I do Takfīr with uncertainty or by alliance (Muwala), or that I Takfīr the Jahil whom the proofs have not been established against, this is without a doubt a clear accusation in which they wish to stray the people away from the deen of Aḷḷāh”. (Compilation of his works 3/14)
This statement is as clear as it can get, as if the S͟hayk͟h (رحمه الله) is responding to you directly.
Lastly, it should be mentioned that the Ottomans were the first to excommunicate the S͟hayk͟h and his people, not that the S͟hayk͟h initiated it to act like he is some blood thirsty terrorist. He established their Takfir based on evidence and caution (as mentioned) unlike the opposition, which is a known fact. He also did not ally with anyone to fight them, this is simply baseless.
So there is your little ‘thorn’ vaporized .
Characteristically, you get everything back to front. It was the Ottomans who declared MiAW an apostate at the behest of grave-worshipping, Shiite-allied Ashari bigots (before they themselves turned against the Ottomans). And it was the Ottomans who allied with Western Imperialist powers against the Emirate of Diriyah. And it was the Ottomans, not the "Najdis", who took Muslim women and children as slaves.
Aside from the fact it’s destroying the intellect - the content is also rubbish!
Everytime I open this app, I see stuff that just shocks me.
Half of these people don’t know the rulings of Taharah - but are saying crazy things.
Shaykh Ibn Baz said:
"Advice is needed for young people & for others as well, because when advice is neglected, desires overcome the hearts love of immediate pleasures, love of comfort, and love of lusts.
Advice is like a whip by which a person struggles against himself & is
Is heartbreaking Mr. Terrorist/Zionist puppet that millions of Palestinians from the Nakbah until now are unable to return back to their homes after being forcibly removed and slaughtered?
Is it heartbreaking that millions of Sudanese people are unable to return back to their homes after being slaughtered and displaced?!
Or does your heart only break for Jews and Hindus?!
With these tweets do you seek nearness to the golden calf, the mother cow or your master Netanyahu?
Islam was the FIRST religion to give women inheritance rights, property rights, and the right to consent in marriage.
1400 years ago.
Let that sink in.