Misconceptions of Salaafiyah

Misconception One: Labelling With Salafiyyah is an Innovation

By: Shaykh Abdul Aziz Bin Baz (may Allah have mercy on him)

The word "Salafiyyah" was not applied during the time of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions – this being due to the fact that the Muslims were upon the correct Islaam and there was no need for a word such as "Salafiyyah" at that time. However, when the tribulations occurred and the sects increased and the Ummah split the Ulamaa of the Ummaah stood to distinguish those upon the truth from those upon falsehood and hence they stated "Ahl ul-Hadeeth" and "as-Salaf".

Abu Haneefah (d. 150H) (rahimahullaah) said: "Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way) 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)

Based upon this "as-Salafiyyah" is distinguished from all the various Islamic factions due to their ascription to what guarantees for them the correct and true Islaam, which is adherence to what the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions were upon, as occurs in the authentic hadeeths.

In addition to that, the word "Salaf" was used by the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) himself. He said to Faatimah, "How excellent a Salaf I am for you." (Muslim, no. 2450).

Imaam Muslim brings in his Muqaddimah to his Saheeh (p.16) the saying of Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak – which he would say in front of all the people, "Abandon the hadeeths of Amr bin Thaabit, for he used to abuse the Salaf".

Shaikh Saalih al-Fawzaan said, "And how can making one’s madhhab that of the Salaf be an innovation, an astray innovation?! And how can it be an innovation when it is but the following of the madhhab of the Salaf, and following their madhhab is obligatory by the Book and the Sunnah, and truth and guidance?!" (al-Bayaan p. 156).

Hence, ascribing oneself to the Salaf, which is but Salafiyyah is not an innovation, rather it is obligatory upon every Muslim to subscribe to the manhaj and aqidah of the Salaf. It can be said, "If labelling with Salafiyyah is an innovation, then so is labelling with Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah". And the objective behind using the term "Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah" is not hidden or unknown. Unfortunately, Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah is no longer sufficient to distinguish between the people of falsehood and the people of truth. Until even the word "Salafi" does not distinguish between the true Salafi, who is actually Salafi in his aqidah and manhaj and between the hizbi (partisan) who wears the gown of Salafiyyah, claiming to be Salafi. 

His aqidah may be Salafi but his way of thinking is adulterated with Qutubi or Hizbi principles, ideas and modes of thought and behaviour. He will show enmity to the Salafis, mock their Mashaayikh, and yet claim to be upon their way. Yet the viewpoints they take and the positions they hold and their loyalty and disownment indicate otherwise. This is why true Salafis give great importance to learning and knowledge so that the truth is apparent to them and the ignorant pretenders cannot befool them.