Dear readers May Allah guide us to the truth. Salaf and salafi may be words that are still foreign to some people or if they are already known, but many still think that these terms are a designation for a new group in Islam.
So what exactly is Salaf? And what is salafi? Hopefully the following article can provide the answer.
Definition of Salaf
Salaf literally means the former person, as mentioned in the word of Allah which means, "So when they angered Us, We punished them and then We drowned them all (in the sea). And We made them as salaf and examples for those who later." (Az Zukhruf: 55-56),
That is, we made them the SALAF: that is, the former so that those after them may learn from them (the Salaf). Therefore, the Immortal Fairuz in Al Qomus Al Muhith say, "Salaf also means people who preceded you from your ancestors and people who have kinship with you." (Look Al Manhajus Salaf 'inda Shaykh al-Albani, 'Amr Abdul Mun'im Salim and Al Wajiz fii Aqidah Salafish Sholih, Abdullah bin Abdul Hamid Al Atsary)
The word 'Salaf' is not foreign to scholars
Maybe many people today are unfamiliar with the word salaf, but this word is not foreign to scholars. Imam Bukhari (a leading hadith expert) said,Rashid bin Sa'ad said, 'In the past the Salaf liked stallions, because such horses were more agile and stronger.'." Then Ibn Hajar explained in Fathul Bari that the Salaf are the Companions and those after them.
Imam Nawawi (the great scholar of the Shafi'i school) said in his book Al-Adzkar, "Very good prayer for the Salaf as said Al Auza'i rahimahullah Ta'ala, 'People go out to perform the istisqo prayer' (asking for rain), then Bilal bin Sa'ad stood up, he praised Allah …'” The salaf referred to by Al Auza'i here is Bilal bin Sa'ad, and Bilal is a tabi'in. (Look Al Manhajus Salaf 'inda Shaykh al-Albani)
Who is the Salaf?
Salaf according to the scholars is Friend, tabi'in (people who follow companions) and tabi'ut tabi'in (those who follow the tabi'in). These three early generations are called salafush sholih (the previous pious people).
They are the three main and best generations of this ummah, as the Messenger of Allah said sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam, "The best of humans is my generation, then the generation after it, then the generation after it again." (Narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Abi 'Ashim, Bukhari and Tirmidhi).
Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam have witnessed the 'goodness' of the first three generations of this ummah which shows their virtue and glory, their enthusiasm for doing good, the breadth of their knowledge of Allah's shari'ah, their enthusiasm for holding fast to his sunnah. sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam. (Look Al Wajiz fii Aqidah Salafish Sholih and Mu'taqod Ahlis Sunnah wal Jama'ah, Dr. Muhammad Kholifah At Tamimi).
It is mandatory for us to follow the path Salafush Sholih
After we know that the Salaf is the best generation of this Ummah, then are we obliged to follow the way of life of the Salaf?
Allah is absolutely pleased with the Salaf from the Muhajirin and the Ansar and to those who follow them well. God ta'ala said which means,Those who were earlier, were the first (converted to Islam) from the emigrants and the Ansar and those who followed them well, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Allah and Allah has provided for them paradises where rivers flow. river in it forever. They stay in it. That's a big win." (At-Taubah: 100). To get this absolute pleasure, there is no other way but to follow salafush sholih.
Allah also gives a threat to those who follow the path other than the believers. God ta'ala said which means,And whoever opposes the Messenger after the truth has become clear to him, and follows a path that is not the path of the believers, We let him be free from the misguidance which he had mastered and We put him into Hell, and Hell is the worst place to return." (An-Nisa: 115). What is meant by the believers when this verse was revealed was friends (salaf). Whoever crosses their path will be threatened with misguidance and hell. Therefore, Following the path of the Salaf is obligatory.
Relying on Salafush Sholih
Once we know that following the path of life salafush sholih is obligatory, then can we rely on the salaf so that it is called salafi (followers of the salaf)? Isn't this a new group/group in Islam?
Our answers are summarized as follows:
- The term salaf is not something foreign to scholars.
- Reluctance to rely on the salaf means breaking away from the true Islam that is embraced by salafush sholih,
- Why is the reliance on various schools of thought/understanding and certain individuals such as Shafi'i (followers of Imam Shafi'i) and Ash'ari (followers of Abul Hasan Al-Ash'ari) not questioned?! Even though it is a reliance on people who are not free from mistakes and sins!!
- Salafi is relying on kema'shuman in general (freedom from guilt) so as to glorify someone,
- The reliance on the salaf aims to distinguish it from other groups who all claim to rely on the Qur'an and the Sunnah, but do not want to be religious (manhaj) like salafush sholih namely his companions and followers. (Look Al Manhajus Salafi 'inda Shaykh al-Albani).
In conclusion, as said by Shaykh Salim Al Hilali,
The naming of the salafi is a form of reliance on the salaf. This kind of reliance is a commendable one and the right way of being religious (bermanhaj). And not a prophecy that is made up as a new school of thought.
— Limadza Ikhtartu Al Manhaj As Salaf —
The Solution to the Disunity of the Ummah
Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam has provided a solution regarding the current division of Muslims to hold fast to the sunnah of the Prophet and the sunnah khulafa'ur rashidin - which is salaf this people -. He sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said which means;
"And indeed those who live among you will see a lot of disagreements, so hold on to my sunnah and the sunnah of the guided khulafa'rosyidin. So hold fast to it and bite it with your molars." (Hasan Shohih, HR. Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi)
The Salaf Way is a Safe Way
People who follow the way of life of the Prophet sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam and his best friend (salafush sholih) this is the survivor of hell. Rasulullah sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam said which means;
”Jews have been divided into 71 sects; one group goes to heaven, 70 groups go to hell. Christians are divided into 72 groups; one group goes to heaven, 71 groups go to hell. By the One in whose hand the soul of Muhammad is in His hands, my Ummah will be divided into 73 sects; One group goes to heaven and 72 groups go to hell. There are friends who ask'O Messenger of Allah! Who are those who enter heaven?' He replied,'They are Al-Jama'ah'." (Narrated by Ibn Majah, Abu Dawud, authenticated by Shaykh Al Albani).
In another narration the companions asked,Who are they, O Messenger of Allah?' He replied,'People who follow the path of my life and my friends.' (HR. Tirmidhi)
As a final piece of advice, 'Remember, the salafi says – that is follower salafush sholih - is not just a claim (claim) alone, but must be proven by having aqidah, morals, religion (manhaj), and worship as done salafush sholih.'
O Allah, guide us to the truth by Your permission from the perverted ways and establish us on it.
Alhamdulillahillazi bi ni'matihi tatimmush sholihaat. Wa shollallahu 'ala Nabiyyina Muhammad wa 'alaalihi wa shohbihi wa sallam.
—
By Ustadz Muhammad Abduh Tuasikal, ST, M.Sc.
Source Rumaysho.com
Sunnah.
