Salafus-Saaliheen سلف صالحين

The manhaj (methodology) of the Salaf is to adhere to the Qur'aan and the authentic Sunnah as understood by the Salaf as-Saalih. The word Salaf is a shortened version of the word 'Salaf as-Saalih', which means the 'Righteous Predecessors'.

It refers specifically to the first three generations of Islaam in which the Prophet Muhammad (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) described as being the best generations of Muslims. The first, the Prophet (Sallalaahu Alaihi wa Sallam) and his Sahaabah (companions). The second, the Taabi'een (the followers of the companions). The third, the Tabaa'at-Taabi'een (the followers of the followers of the companions).

Generally, this term refers to all those pious predecessors who followed the way of the Salaf and who have preceded us in time. This is the true manhaj of Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jamaa'ah.

"If Allah wants to favor someone, He grants him comprehension (understanding) of this religion."
[Sahih Bukhari vol.1 # 71, Tirmidhi and Musnad Ahmad]

The example of guidance and knowledge with which, Allah has sent me is like abundant rain falling on the earth, some of which was fertile soil, absorbed rain water and brought forth vegetation and grass in abundance. (And) another portion of it was hard and held the rainwater and Allah benefited the people with it and they utilized it for drinking, making their animals drink from it and for irrigation of the land for cultivation. (And) a portion of it was barren which, could neither hold the water nor bring forth vegetation (then that land gave no benefits). The first is the example of the person who comprehends Allah's religion and gets benefit (from the knowledge), which Allah has revealed through me (the Prophet) and learns and then teaches others. The last example is that of a person who does not care for it and does not take Allah's guidance revealed through me (He is like that barren land.)" [Sahih Al-Bukhari v.1 no.79. Narrated by Abu Musa]

“It is only those who have knowledge amongst His slaves that fear Allah.” [Soorah Al-Fatir (35): 28]

"Seek knowledge, because seeking it for the sake of Allah is a worship. And knowing it makes you more God-fearing; and searching for it is jihad, teaching it to those who do not know is charity, reviewing and learning it more is like tasbeeh. Through knowledge Allah will be known and worshipped. With the knowledge Allah will elevate people and make them leaders and imams, who will in turn guide other people." [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya vol.10, p.39]

"Whoever treads on a path in search of Islamic knowledge, Allah will ease the way to Paradise for him. The angels will lower their wings, pleased with this seeker of knowledge, and everyone in the heavens and on earth will ask forgiveness for the knowledgeable person, even the fish in the deepest of waters will ask for his forgiveness” [Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah, Tirmidhi # 2835-sahih hadith]

“He whom death overtakes while he is engaged in acquiring knowledge with a view to reviving Islam with the help of it, there will be one degree between him and the Prophets in Paradise .” [Al-Tirmidhi Hadith no. 249. Narrated by Al-Hasan al-Basri]

Imaam al-Asbahaanee (d.535H) – rahimahullaah – said:

“The sign of Ahlus-Sunnah is that they follow the Salafus-Saalih, and abandon all that is innovated and newly introduced into the Religion.”

Al-Hujjah fee Bayaanil-Mahajjah (1/364)

Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H) – rahimahullaah – said:

“There is no defect in spreading the madhhab (way) of the Salaf and ascribing oneself to it, rather it is obligatory to accept this by agreement. Indeed the madhhab of the Salaf is nothing except the truth.” Majmoo’ul-Fataawaa (9/149)

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 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetoric). I say: He (i.e. ad-Daaraqutnee) never entered into `ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, he was a Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)." Siyar A’laamun-Nubalaa (16/457)

Imaam as-Sam’aanee (d.562H) – rahimahullaah – said:

“As-Salafee: this is an ascription to the Salaf and following their ways, in that which is related from them. Ibnul-Atheer (d.630H) said in al-Lubaab fee Tahdheebul-Insaab (2/162), commenting upon the previous saying of as-Sam’aanee: “And a group were known by this ascription.” So the meaning is, that the term Salafee, and its ascription to them, was a matter known in the time of Imaam as-Sam’aanee, or before him.

Shaykh al-Albaanee – hafidthahullaah – said:

“However, there are some who claim knowledge who deny this ascription, claiming it has no foundation, saying, “It is not permissible for a Muslim to say, I am Salafee.” And it is as if he is saying, “It is not permissible for me to say, I am following the Salafus-Saalih in what they were upon in ’aqeedah, worship, and manners!” And there is no doubt that the likes of this denial – if that is what is meant – implies that he is disassociating himself from the correct Islaam that the Salafus-Saalih were upon. Thus, it is not permissible for a Muslim to disassociate himself from being ascribed to the Salafus-Saalih. If, however, he freed himself from any other nisbah (ascription), then none of the people of knowledge could accuse him of sinfulness or disbelief. However, the one who refuses calling himself with this name Salafee, then it should be seen, does he attribute himself to a particular madhhab – whether in matters of ’aqeedah, or fiqh? So perhaps he will call himself an Ash’aree, or a Maatureedee, or he may be from Ahlul-Hadeeth, or a Hanafee, Maalikee, Shaafi’ee, or Hanbalee – from those matters which enter into the term Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah. Despite the fact that the one who ascribes himself to the Ash’aree madhhab, or the four well-known madhhabs, then he has ascribed himself to those who are not free from making mistakes as individuals – even though there are from them scholars who attain what is correct. So why O why do they not reject the likes of these ascription to individuals who are not protected from mistake? However, as for the one who ascribes himself to the Salafus-Saalih collectively – then he ascribes himself to that which is protected from mistakes.”

[12] Al-Asaalah magazine (no. 9/p. 87)