The Usefull Preface

I would like to write a series on the 'Aqeedah (belief) of the Salaf Us Saalih based upon the Qur'an, the Sunnah and the statements of the first generations of Islam, the Imams of Fiqh and Hadeeth and the scholars of this time. that 's of course ,you wonder how to know about Islam , In these issues I will be as brief as possible in order for our readers to gain full benefit.

absolutely we expect to Allah in getting His mercy as the slaves of Allah and  before going into the issues of 'Aqeedah itself we have to understand what is the word 'Aqeedah and what is the word Salaf.

The word 'Aqeedah (عقيدة) comes from the verb 'Aqada (عقد) which means to bind together. Therefore, it is possible to use the verb when pertaining to binding together a rope (عقد الحبل). Therefore the word 'Aqeedah is used for creed since this is what binds together the Muslims.

And in Islamic Law terminology it refers to the belief of the Muslim in Allah, his Angels, his Books, his Prophets, the Last Day and the Qadar (Predestination).

And the evidence of this is in the Hadeeth of Jibreel where the Prophet said after he was asked about Imaan: "To believe in Allah, his Angels, his Books, his Prophets, the Last Day and the Qadar whether it is good or evil."

The word Salaf (سلف) in the language refers to either people or matters that were past and in comes from the verb Salafa (سلف) which means that which is past.

In Islamic terminology it refers to the first three generations of the Muslims who were pious (As Salaf As Saalih) who are the Sahabah, the Tabi'een and the followers of the Tabi'een. The evidence for this is where the Prophet said: "The best of my people are from my generation, then those that follow them, then those that follow them."

When we put the both together 'Aqeedah As Salaf it means:

The belief of the first three generations as it pertains to the pillars of Imaan, what is related to it and what follows from it.

Another point worth mentioning is that the belief and methodology of these pious predecessors must be followed. And the proof is as follows:

From the Qur'an:

(i) The statement of Allah: "The ones who came first from the Muhajireen and the Ansaar and those whom follow them in goodness Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah."

(ii) The statement of Allah: "And whomsoever opposes the Messenger after the clear guidance has come to him and follows a way other than the way of the believers we will leave him in the path he has chosen and fling him into the hellfire and what an evil abode."

And from the Sunnah

(i) The statement of the Messenger : "I command you to my companions and then those who follow them and then those who follow them." {Collected by Imam At Tirmidhi}

(ii) Also his statement : "And my Ummah will seperate into 73 different groups. All of them are in the hellfire except for one." They (the companions) asked who are they Oh Messenger of Allah? He said: "They are upon what I am upon today and my companions." {Collected by Imam At Tirmidhi}

(iii) Also his statement : "Upon you is my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the Khulafa Ar Rashideen." {Collected by Imam At Tirmidhi}

Statements of the Salaf:

(i) Abu Haneefah said: "Upon you are the narrations and the way of the Salaf."

(ii) Imam Al Awza'ee said: "Upon all of you is the way of the Salaf even if the people reject you and beware of the opinions of men even if they decorate it with beautiful speech."

Therefore, it is upon us as Muslims to learn, understand and implement the Islam which the first three generations of Muslims. And if we do not do so we would not be rectified as Imam Malik Ibn Anas said: "The last of this Ummah will never be rectified except by what rectified the first of this Ummah."

we will deal with the following topics.

(1) The sources from where the religion should be taken from and the deviances relating to this.

(2) The six pillars of Imaan and the deviances relating to them.

(3) The definition of Imaan and the deviances relating to it.

(4) The approach of Ahlus Sunnah toward those who do major sin and the deviances relating to this matter.

(5) The approach of Ahlus Sunnah toward the Muslim rulers and the deviances relating to this matter.

(6) The belief of Ahlus Sunnah toward the Companions of the Messenger and the deviances relating to this matter.

(7) The belief of Ahlus Sunnah pertaining to the household of the Messenger and the deviances regarding this matter.

(8) The belief of Ahlus Sunnah pertaining to the Awliya of Allah.

(9) Ahlus Sunnah are those who follow the Prophet and his Companions . And the mistake of those who say Ahlus Sunnah are everyone except the Shee'ah.

(10) Ahlus Sunnah and their approach toward innovation and its people and the deviances concerning this matter.

Each part of the series is meant to underline the main beliefs of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah and is meant to be summarized. Therefore, if I do not go into details about certain matters it is only for the sake of brevity.

I ask Allah that he puts this on my scale of good deeds and to bless and guide those who read it.

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah.

Ali Wafa Abu Sulthon