LET'S FOLLOW OUR PROPHET { PBUH}

                                                      Written by Ali wafa aboo sulthon

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

"The best of my people are my generation then those who come after them, then those who come after them, then there will come a people in whom there will be no good." [At-Tabaranee, authenticated by al-Albanee]

Also, in al-Bukharee, "The best of the people are my generation, then those after them, then those after them..." This is also reported by Muslim, Aboo Dawood, at-Tirmidhee, An-Nasa'ee and others.

Therefore, if Rasool Allaah sal Allaahu alayhi waSalam is saying that they [the first 3 generations] are the best generations - then that is part of our aqeedah (beliefs) and therefore we should follow their example, of the ones who were righteous in their time. They were the people who followed the ways of Allaah and His Messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) the most.

The Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi waSalam) also said, "...and my Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects." [Aboo Dawood, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Majah, al-Hakim, Ahmad, authenticated by at-Tirmidhee, al Hakim, ibn Taymeeyah, as-Suyootee, al-Manawee, ash-Shatibee, adh-Dhahabee and al-Albanee].

In another Hadith that is hasan, the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi waSalam) explained which one is the saved sect: "Al- Jama`ah" [Ibn Majah]. In another Hasan Hadith the Prophet (sal Allaahu alayhi waSalam) said, "The tribes of Israel broke into seventy- two sects. My Ummah shall break up into seventy-three sects. All of them will be in the Fire, except one: what I am upon and my Companions." (i.e. the Qur'an & Sunnah) [At-Tirmidhee]

Therefore, only if we follow their ways will we be succesful. Especially in situations like nowadays when people are trying to alter the meaning of the Qur'an to suit their own desires etc.

This is why we follow the interpretation and ways of the first 3 generations (the sahabah, the students of the sahabah, and their students.) Because they were the closest to the interpretation of the Qur'an which was left by our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him.)


To read more, check this link out insha'Allaah:

"For every people there is a feast and this is our feast" said the Prophet () to Aboo Bakr . [Bukhaaree and Muslim]. "Our feast" has a great meaning for Muslims because it tells us that these are our own and derived from our Sharee'ah alone. Since holidays are usually based on religious traditions, it is very important that we demonstrate our celebrations with great joy and gathering to make us feel that they are our own, and to feel that they are different from the Mushriks' holidays. We do not celebrate Christmas, Hanuka or any other pagan festivals and our thanks are given to Allaah  alone.

Dawah - literally means "call", and in this sense it refers to calling to the Truth through preaching and propagation.

·         Say (O Muslims), "We believe in Allâh and that which has been sent down to us and that which has been sent down to Ibrâhim (Abraham), Ismâ'il (Ishmael), Ishâque (Isaac), Ya'qûb (Jacob), and to Al-Asbât [the twelve sons of Ya'qûb (Jacob)], and that which has been given to Mûsa (Moses) and 'Iesa (Jesus), and that which has been given to the Prophets from their Lord. We make no distinction between any of them, and to Him we have submitted (in Islâm)." [The Noble Qur'an Al-Baqarah 2:136]

·         Invite (mankind, O Muhammad SAW) to the Way of your Lord (i.e. Islâm) with wisdom (i.e. with the Divine Inspiration and the Qur'ân) 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. [The Noble Qur'an An-Nahl 16:125]

·         Let there arise out of you a group of people inviting to all that is good (Islâm), enjoining Al-Ma'rûf (i.e. Islâmic Monotheism and all that Islâm orders one to do) and forbidding Al-Munkar (polytheism and disbelief and all that Islâm has forbidden). And it is they who are the successful. [The Noble Qur'an Al-Imran 3:104]

·         Say (O Muhammad SAW): "This is my way; I invite unto Allâh (i.e. to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge, I and whosoever follows me (also must invite others to Allâh i.e to the Oneness of Allâh - Islâmic Monotheism) with sure knowledge. And Glorified and Exalted be Allâh (above all that they associate as partners with Him). And I am not of the Mushrikûn (polytheists, pagans, idolaters and disbelievers in the Oneness of Allâh; those who worship others along with Allâh or set up rivals or partners to Allâh)." [The Noble Qur'an Yusuf 12:108]

Salaf - literally means "those (from history) who precede, have gone before".  

As-Salaf as-Saalih - The people of the past, namely the first three generations of pious muslims during and after the revelation of the Qur'an, i.e.the Sahabah (companions) of the Prophet, saaws , the Taabi'een (followers) and the Taabi Taabi'een (followers of the followers).

Islam teaches that As-Salaf as-Saalih are superior in their understanding of the Revelation of Al-Qu'ran. Generally speaking, the people present during any event (such as the revelation of the Quran) will understand it better than those who read about it later. 

·         The Prophet, saaws, said: "I am leaving you two things and you will never go astray as long as you cling to them -- they are the Book of Allah and my Sunnah." [Reported by Al- Haakim - Sahih].

·         "The best of people is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims)." [Reported by Bukhari and Muslim- Mutawaatir. Muslim, Narrated 'Aisha - Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it Hasan in Saheeh Al Jaami' no.3288].

·         "The best of people are my generation, then the second, then the third, then there will come a people, having no good in them." [[related by Ibn Mas'ood] [Tabaraanee in Al-Kabeer] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Hasan. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth ad-Da'eefah no.3569, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3293.]

·         "My Ummah will not unite upon error." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee and Haakim - Sahih]

·         The best of people are my generation, then those who follow after them, then those who follow after them, then there will come after them a people who will be fat, and they will love obesity, bearing witness before being asked to."[related by the Umars, sons of Husayn(r)] [Tirmidthee, authenticated by Imaam Al Haakim] Shaykh Al Albaanee declares it to be Saheeh. See Silsilatul Ahaadeeth As-Saheehah no. 699, and Saheeh Al Jaami' no. 3294.

Salafi - means "of the salaf".  The "i" (sounds like "ee") on the end of the word means "of the", "of" and/or "are".  Using correct arabic grammar, the word "salafi" can only be used in association with words that are of that which is truly from the far past. In order to be a salaf, you had to exist generations prior to the current one. Referring to oneself as a salafi* is permissible in Islam so long as the intention is for identification with the salafi minhaj and this identification does not replace your identification as being MUSLIM, as this is what Allah swt has commanded us in The Qur'an to call ourselves. While it is important, as many scholars have said, to distinguish ourselves from the innovators, we first do this in our actions (i.e. do not sit with the people of innovation, engage the sunnah in our daily lives, etc.), and to do so in speech, we can best do so by clearly stating that we are followers of the pious predecessors ("Ana a-taaba as-salaf as-saalih").

    Those Muslims whose intentions are to follow the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet saaws and the salaf, know better than to divide themselves into a sect (a dissenting or schismatic religious body; especially one regarded as extreme or heretical) that parts from following clear proof in Quran and Sunnah.  

·         "And this Ummah will divide into seventy-three sects all of which except one will go to Hell and they (i.e. the Saved Sect) are those who are upon what I and My Companions are upon (i.e. those who follow My Way and the Way of my Companions.)" [Reported by at-Tirmidhee - Hasan]

·         "Verily those before you from among the People of the Book split into seventy-two sects and verily this religion . . . ", and in another narration, " . . . this Ummah will split into seventy-three sects: seventy-two will be in the Fire and one in Paradise and that is the Jamaa'ah." [Reported by Abu Daawood - Sahih]

·         When questioned by his Companions about those who will be saved from the Fire, the Messenger (sallallaahu 'alaihi wasallam) replied: "They are those who are upon what I and my companions are upon." [Reported by at-Tirmidhee from Amr ibn al-Aas - classified as Hasan.]

A muslim may announce his intentions to adhere to the Dawat-us-Salafiyyah, which is identical to saying the dawah of Islam with mere emphasis on rejecting innovation in implementing and understanding the Qur'an and Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad saaws and accepting the guidance of the Salaf-as-Saalih (as instructed by Muhammad saaws to do so).  Because not one ounce of arrogance will make it into the gates of Paradise, no muslim would want to be so bold as to declare himself as a member of Firqatun-Naajiyyah (the saved group of Muslims), for only Allah swt knows who that truly is, but instead would speak of his intentions to be of the saved group, by his intentions to adhere to the dawat-us-salafiyyah.

·         Sheikh al-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah said: "It is self-delusion to say 'I am saved' and not pessimistic, for example being too secure saying 'I have the attributes of the salaf, I am saved', We still have to humble ourselves and not to say that we have the attributes of the Salaf. So I say to these people, not everybody who opposes me a thing from this path will become one of those who will perish, for verily the disputer may be a mujtahid who was wrong, and Allaah will forgive him his mistakes. Or maybe the proof did not reach him, enough to satisfy his needs (i.e. to understand it). Or maybe he has enough good deeds in which Allaah will wipe away his bad deeds."

·         "O you who believe! Do not put (yourselves) forward before Allâh and His Messenger (SAW), and fear Allâh. Verily! Allâh is All-Hearing, All-Knowing." [Surah al-Hujuraat 49:1].

·         "And hold fast, all of you together, to the Rope of Allâh (i.e. this Qur'ân), and be not divided among yourselves, and remember Allâh'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 Islâmic Faith), and you were on the brink of a pit of Fire, and He saved you from it. Thus Allâh makes His Ayât (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.,) clear to you, that you may be guided." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:103].

Muslim - Whereas a person of a sect may improperly refer to himself as a Shia, Sufi, etc., those who adhere to dawat-us-salafiyyah describe themself as a "Muslim" whose minhaj (methodology/system) is Qur'an and Sunnah and madhdhab (way) is that of the salaf. There is ample proof to say it is more than sufficient to call oneself simply a Muslim.

·         And strive hard in Allâh's Cause as you ought to strive (with sincerity and with all your efforts that His Name should be superior). He has chosen you (to convey His Message of Islâmic Monotheism to mankind by inviting them to His religion, Islâm), and has not laid upon you in religion any hardship, it is the religion of your father Ibrahim (Abraham) (Islâmic Monotheism). It is He (Allâh) Who has named you Muslims both before and in this (the Qur'ân), that the Messenger (Muhammad SAW) may be a witness over you and you be witnesses over mankind! So perform As­Salât (Iqamat-as-Salât), give Zakât and hold fast to Allâh [i.e. have confidence in Allâh, and depend upon Him in all your affairs] He is your Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.), what an Excellent Maula (Patron, Lord, etc.) and what an Excellent Helper!  [Surah Al-Imrân 3:78]

·         Shaykhul-Islaam Ibn Taimiyyah reported that one of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) said, "I do not mind which out of the two blessings was greater. that Allaah guided me to Islaam, or that he kept me away from these innovated sects. By Allaah , the Most High, in the Qur'aan He called us the Muslims, the Believers and the Worshippers of Allaah, so we will not leave the manes which Allaah has names us with in favour of names innovated by the people which they call themselves by and also their forefathers for which Allaah has send down no proof". (In al-Wasiyyatul-Kubraa.Taken from the Book Forty Hadeeth On: The Call to Islam and the Caller By Shaikh 'Alee Hasan 'Alee 'Abdul Hameed)

·         Abu-I Aas, r.a., a companion of the Prophet (saaws) said: "Since I have now handed over to you what is rightfully yours, I now declare that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. By God, the only thing that prevented me from declaring my acceptance of Islam while I was with Muhammad in Madinah was my fear that you would think that I did so only to appropriate your wealth. Now that I have discharged my trust in this matter, I now declare that I am a Muslim."

·         Ikrimah, r.a., a companion of the Prophet (saaws) said: ""I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His servant and His messenger." The Prophet (saaws) then instructed him to say, "I call on God and those present here to witness that I am a Muslim who is a Mujahid and a Muhajir".

·         The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded to kill him: he was a spy of AbuSufyan and an ally of a man of the Ansar. He passed a circle of the Ansar and said: I am a Muslim. A man from the Ansar said, Apostle of Allah, he is saying that he is a Muslim. The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There are people among you in whose faith we trust. Furat ibn Hayyan is one of them. [Abu Dawood #2646, Narrated Furat ibn Hayyan]

·         Then when 'Iesa (Jesus) came to know of their disbelief, he said: "Who will be my helpers in Allâh's Cause?" Al-Hawâriûn (the disciples) said: "We are the helpers of Allâh; we believe in Allâh, and bear witness that we are Muslims (i.e. we submit to Allâh)." [Surah Al-Imrân 3:52]

The belief that "times have changed" and that we should now do differently than what Allah swt commanded us, is an innovated madthab (way). There were sects during the time of the Prophet (saaws) and immediately following, just as there are today. The companions of 'Iesa (Jesus) and Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon them both, all referred to themselves simply as Muslims.

However, as Muslims, we must not dispute over simple titles, as the correct way of living is of upmost importance, not the labels we claim upon ourselves. Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid has said, "The one who is seeking salvation has to work hard to gain beneficial knowledge and do righteous deeds, and he should avoid vain arguments and futile discussions in which there is no benefit." What is important is that we implement the way of the salaf as-saalih in our daily lives, insomuch as it is consistent with Quran and Sunnah.

Names - you can name yourself, your masjid, your computer files, your associations, etc. - anything halal. For instance if a baby is named "Yasmin" meaning jasmine, the mother who chose the name is not stating that she IS a jasmine stone or even that she has the attributes of a jasmine; such a name is a permissible name because the item itself, the jasmine, is not haram. So if a name includes the word "salaf" anywhere in it, this is halal. However for a person of today to identify oneself AS a salaf is incorrect.

One can refer to himself as "muttaqi" (male) or "muttaqiyyah" (female) meaning of the muttaqun, but should not make a sunnah of calling himself a "muslim muttaqi".  A person alive today can be muttaqi but cannot be salafi because s/he is not of the past.

Those who adhere to the sunnah of the Prophet, saaws, are sadly known as "strange", "odd", etc., to those who have abandoned such adherence. They (muslims on a misguided path) even get to the point that they find it odd that someone would just call themselves a MUSLIM and attach no special group name to the word muslim. Surely the people who deviate are the people who must find a new label for their group. The label "muslim" is the purest word and all we need, insha'Allah, i.e. it is the only identifying label that we should have as a tradition or sunnah for calling ourselves when refering to our faith.

·         The Prophet, saaws, has mentioned in his saying: "Islam began as a stranger and shall return as a stranger as it began. So give glad tidings to the strangers." [Reported by Muslim - Sahih].

·         And who is better in speech than he who [says: "My Lord is Allâh (believes in His Oneness)," and then stands straight (acts upon His Order), and] invites (men) to Allâh's (Islâmic Monotheism), and does righteous deeds, and says: "I am one of the Muslims." [The Noble Qur'an 41:33]

Madhdhab Salafi- means the way (madhdhab) of the salaf (first three generations of pious muslims after the revelation of the Qur'an).

·         Ibn Taymiyyah (d.728H rahimahullaah) says: "There is no blame on the one who manifests/proclaims the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf, who attaches himself to it and refers to it. Rather, it is obligatory to accept that from him by unanimous agreement (Ittifaaq), because the way (madhdhab) of the Salaf is nothing but the Truth (Haqq)." [From Majmoo al-Fataawaa, 4:149.]

·         Abu Haneefah (d. 150H rahimahullaah) said: "Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way/following) of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and beware of newly invented matters for all of it is innovation" [Reported by As-Suyootee in Sawn al Mantaq wal-Kalaam p.32]

·         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 'irnul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetorics). I say: No person should ever enter into 'ilmul-kalaam, nor argumentation. Rather, he should be a follower of the Salaf." [Siyar 16/457]

Following the madhdhab of the salaf is unlike following one of the madhdhabs (schools of thought) of today.  Today when a person says they follow a madhdhab, they mean they follow one of the four Imams (Maliki, Hanafi, etc..), often to the point that even if the Imam's chosen position on any topic is clearly in error, they will follow it anyway, just for the sake of consistency in following the same Imam.  In the true use of the word "madhdhab", the way of the salaf is a madhdhab.  In the modern sense of the word "madhdhab", the way of the salaf is not a madhdhab, meaning it does not require or encourage blind adherence to a single leader like the practice of muslims who follow any one of the four major madhdhabs of today.