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The teachings of the reformer Abd Al-Wahhab
are more often referred to by adherents
as Salafi,
that is, "following the forefathers
of Islam."
This branch of Islam is often referred
to as Wahhabi
a term that many adherents to this
tradition do not use. Members of this
form of Islam call themselves Muwahhidun
("Unitarians", or "unifiers
of Islamic practice"). They use
the Salafi Da'wa or Ahlul Sunna wal
Jama'a. Wahhabism is a particular
orientation within Salafism. Most
puritanical groups in the Muslim world
are Salafi in orientation, but not
necessarily Wahhabi.
The Salafiyyah are a movement, and like
the Sufis,
can come from the Maliki,
the Shafii,
the Hanbali,
or the Hanafi.
But, that said, the Salafiyyah movement,
is primarily confirmed to the Hanbali,
and in particular the Wahhabiyyah,
and their theological equivalents.
The Salafiyyah movement to return
Islam to it's purest roots (like the
Islamic Amish!) has taken as reference
points the teachings of Imam Ahmad
bin Hanbal , Al Barbahaaree, or Al
Laalikaa'ee, or Ash-Shaatibee, or
Adh-Dhahabee, or Al Layth ibn Sa'd,
or Abu Hanifah, and other scholars
who adhered to the methodology of
the salaf.
As-Salaf us-Salih (or briefly: the Salaf)
refers to the first and best three
generations of Muslims. They are the
Companions (Sahabah) of the Prophet
(S), their immediate followers (Tabiun),
and the followers of the Tabi'in.
The meaning in the Arabic language
is "Those who precede, have gone
before". It is a word used by
the earliest scholars for "The
first three generations of Muslims"
and those who are upon their way in
accordance with the Ahaadeeth of the
Messenger Muhammad (sallAllaahu` alayhi
wa sallam) which is reported in Saheeh
al-Bukhaaree: The best of people/mankind
is my generation, then those that
follow them, then those that follow
them.
The description "Salafi" is
the name of a group of Muslims who
try as hard as they can to imitate
the Blessed Prophet in every aspect
of life. Sometimes it may seem that
the Salafis emphasize the laws and
punishments of Islam so much that
they make you feel there is no Islamic
love and mercy. This is because they
are sometimes very zealous in their
views. A true Salafi values Tawhid,
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.
They tend to be conservative on women's
issues. The Salafi Da'wah is that
of the Qur'an and the Sunnah. It is
claimed to be the Religion of Islam
- pure and free from any additions,
deletions or alterations.
Page last updated:
Friday, November 25, 2005 22:04:51 -0500 |
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