Authenticity and distinctiveness of Salafiyyah -
(Islamic beliefs and practices of first three generations of Islam)

The Foundation of Salafiyyah from the Qur’an, Hadith, and the Four Imams

🔹 What is Salafiyyah?

Salafiyyah is the methodology of the Salaf al-Salih (righteous predecessors) in understanding and practicing Islam. The term Salaf refers to the first three generations of Muslims:

1. Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet ﷺ)

2. Tabi‘un (Successors of the Sahabah)

3. Atba‘ al-Tabi‘in (Successors of the Tabi‘un)

This methodology emphasizes pure Tawhid (monotheism), adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah, and rejection of innovations (Bid‘ah). It is the Aqeedah that the Four Imams followed.

1️⃣ Evidence for Salafiyyah from the Qur'an

The foundation of Salafiyyah is deeply rooted in the Qur’an. Some key verses include:

📌 1. The Command to Follow the Sahabah: "And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and those who followed them in righteousness—Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:100)

✅ Key Point: Allah praises the Sahabah and those who follow their methodology.

📌 2. The Prohibition of Following Other than the Salaf: "And whoever contradicts the Messenger after guidance has been made clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers (i.e., the Sahabah), We will turn him to what he has turned to and burn him in Hell—what an evil destination!"
(Surah An-Nisa 4:115)

✅ Key Point: The correct path is to follow the Sahabah’s understanding of Islam.

📌 3. The Obligation to Follow the Prophet ﷺ and His Sunnah: "Say: If you love Allah, then follow me (Muhammad ﷺ), and Allah will love you and forgive your sins." (Surah Aal-e-Imran 3:31)

✅ Key Point: True love of Allah is shown by following the Prophet ﷺ in belief and practice.

2️⃣ Evidence for Salafiyyah from Hadith

📌 1. The Best Generations
The Prophet ﷺ said: "The best of my Ummah is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2652; Sahih Muslim, 2533)

✅ Key Point: The first three generations (Salaf) are the best and must be followed.

📌 2. The Saved Sect (Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah)
The Prophet ﷺ said: "My Ummah will split into 73 sects, all of them in Hell except one." The Sahabah asked: "Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?" He said: "Those who follow what I and my Companions are upon today." (Sunan Abu Dawood, 4597)

✅ Key Point: The correct path is that of the Prophet ﷺ and his Sahabah.

📌 3. Warning Against Innovation
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever introduces into this matter of ours (Islam) something that is not from it, it will be rejected." (Sahih al-Bukhari, 2697; Sahih Muslim, 1718)

✅ Key Point: Islam must be practiced as it was during the time of the Prophet ﷺ and his Companions.

📌 4. The First Generation’s Understanding is the Best

Narrated by Abu Musa (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "The stars are a source of security for the sky, and when the stars disappear, what has been promised to the sky (of destruction) will come to pass. I am a source of security for my companions, and when I go, what has been promised to my companions will come to pass. My companions are a source of security for my Ummah, and when they go, what has been promised to my Ummah will come to pass." (Sahih Muslim, 2531).

📌 5. Following the Way of the First Three Generations

Narrated by Irbad ibn Sariyah (RA): The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "You must follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs after me. Hold on to it firmly. Beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance." (Sunan Abu Dawood, 4607; Jami` at-Tirmidhi, 2676 – Hasan Sahih)

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3️⃣ The Four Imams and Their Adherence to Salafiyyah

The Four Imams followed the Aqeedah of the Salaf and warned against innovation (Bid'ah) and deviation.

🔸 1. Imam Abu Hanifa (d. 150H)

📌 On Following the Salaf: "Stick to the way of the Salaf and beware of newly invented matters, for every innovation is misguidance." (Sharh al-Fiqh al-Akbar, p. 8)

📌 On Accepting the Hadith Over Opinions: "If a hadith is authentic, then that is my Madhhab."
(Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, 1/63) 

✅ Key Point: He rejected blind following (Taqleed) when it opposed the Sunnah.

🔸 2. Imam Malik (d. 179H)

📌 On Following the Salaf Over Opinions: "The last generations of this Ummah will not be corrected except by what corrected its first generations." (Ash-Shifa by Qadi Iyad, 2/676)

📌 On Innovations: "Whoever introduces a bid‘ah into Islam and considers it good has claimed that Muhammad ﷺ has betrayed the message." (Al-I'tisam by Ash-Shatibi, 1/64)

✅ Key Point: Islam should only be practiced as it was by the first generations.

🔸 3. Imam Shafi‘i (d. 204H)

📌 On Sticking to the Sunnah: "I do not know anyone among the companions of the Prophet ﷺ who held a view that contradicted the Sunnah." (Al-Majmu’ by An-Nawawi, 1/63)

📌 On Rejecting Innovations:

"Whoever introduces something into religion that was not practiced by the Salaf, it is rejected."
(Ibn Abi Hatim, Adab al-Shafi’i, p. 39)

✅ Key Point: Islam must be preserved as it was during the time of the Prophet ﷺ.

🔸 4. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241H)

📌 On the Importance of the Sunnah:

"The foundations of the Sunnah with us are holding fast to what the Companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ were upon." (Usool al-Sunnah, p. 7)

📌 On Warning Against Innovations: "Beware of sitting with the people of desires (i.e., innovators), for they will put doubts in your hearts." (Al-Adab ash-Shar’iyyah, 1/263)

✅ Key Point: He emphasized rejecting deviations from the way of the Salaf.

It distinguishes itself from other Islamic ideologies by rejecting innovations (bid'ah), excessive rationalism, and misinterpretations of Tawhid. This article examines Salafiyyah's authenticity in light of classical Islamic scholarship and contrasts it with other theological and ideological deviations.

Conclusion

✅ Salafiyyah is not a sect but a methodology of following the Qur’an and Sunnah as understood by the Prophet ﷺ, his Sahabah, and the early scholars (including the Four Imams).

📌 Final Advice from Ibn Taymiyyah: "There is no blame on the one who calls to the way of the Salaf, rather, this is an obligation by unanimous agreement." (Majmu’ al-Fatawa, 4/149)

Final Thought

Salafiyyah is the closest to the beliefs and practices of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions. It avoids excesses in theology, worship, and politics, making it the most authentic form of Islam