Understanding Salafism and Salafi

Exploring the True Meaning of Salafism and Salafi in the Light of Quran and Hadith

Islam is a pure and natural way of life, containing all the principles for living a clean and righteous life. In fact, it is in this religion that humanity, peace, unity, justice, equality, rights, brotherhood, love, truthfulness, safety, comfort, and tranquility are found. In all other religions and belief systems of the world, there is a rebellion against nature and a disregard for the pure principles and teachings of life. Islam is also referred to as Salafism because it represents the complete interpretation of Islam.

Salafism is not a new sect or a self-made way of life, but it is the practice of following the methodology of the righteous predecessors (Salaf Salehin) from the blessed early generations. These righteous predecessors refer to the Companions, the Followers, and their followers, i.e., the pious individuals of the three generations mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ, who understood the religion correctly and practiced it as instructed by him. Those who follow the methodology of these noble predecessors are called Salafis, while those who deviate from this path will be considered as followers of the later generations (Khalaf).

Just as Allah has protected the Quran and arranged for the protection of the sayings of the Prophet ﷺ, He has also preserved a group since the time of the Prophet ﷺ and will continue to do so until the Day of Judgment. The mission of this group is to hold firmly to the truth (the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger) and to propagate it, without making any compromises with falsehood.

Since Salafism is the true form of Islam, and Salafis present the original Islam to the world, they face not only challenges and difficulties from false religions, but also from the Muslims divided into various sects who wear the cloak of Islam.

“From the beginning until today, there has been a struggle,
The light of Mustafa against the spark of the misguided.”

Allama Iqbal pointed out this historical reality, referring to every era’s misguided groups who opposed the Prophet’s mission. This truth can be witnessed throughout history, and anyone willing to see the truth with an unbiased perspective can observe this.

While the enemies of Islam will always oppose it, it is surprising to see some within the Muslim community, disguised as Muslims, who have left no stone unturned in defaming Salafis, causing them physical and financial harm, and paving the way for non-Muslims to attack these Muslims. Salafis are labeled as a creation of the British, extreme, and a terrorist group. They are falsely accused of disrespecting the Prophet ﷺ, denying the virtues of the Companions, belittling the status of saints, and disrespecting the great scholars. Salafis are often said to be a new sect in the religion, and reading their books, establishing relationships with them, or dealing with them is discouraged. They are disparaged with labels like Wahabi and non-madhabist.

What is Salafism?

As explained above, Salafism refers to following the true path of Islam, and now we will examine who the followers of Salafism are, and what their qualities are, in the light of the Quran and Hadith, so that the truth may be clarified for the people. While a few elite know the truth, they do not present it to the masses and prevent others from recognizing the truth. The main reason for this is that once a person realizes that Salafism is the true call of Islam, and that it only requires following Allah and His Messenger, they free themselves from the constraints of blind adherence to specific madhabs and choose the Salafi methodology.

Few qualities of Salafis from the Quran

First, let us discuss a few qualities of Salafis from the Quran.

First Quality: They follow Allah and His Messenger:
Allah commands in His book to follow Him and His Messenger:

وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُرْحَمُونَ (آل عمران:132)
Translation: “And obey Allah and the Messenger that you may receive mercy.”

Allah says:
فَلْيَحْذَرِ الَّذِينَ يُخَالِفُونَ عَنْ أَمْرِهِ أَن تُصِيبَهُمْ فِتْنَةٌ أَوْ يُصِيبَهُمْ عَذَابٌ أَلِيمٌ (النور:63)
Translation: “Let those who oppose His command beware lest a trial strike them or a painful punishment.”

Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ وَلَا تَوَلَّوْا عَنْهُ وَأَنتُمْ تَسْمَعُونَ (الأنفال:20)
Translation: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn away from him while you hear.”

Allah says:
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ (الحشر:7)
Translation: “And whatever the Messenger has given you – take it; and whatever he has forbidden you – refrain from it.”

According to these verses, those who truly follow Allah and His Messenger are on the right path. Without following them, no action will be accepted. And we can confidently say that those who follow Allah and His Messenger are the true and sincere Salafis.

Second Quality: They consider Muhammad ﷺ as their Imam and Leader:
Allah says:
لَّقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ (الاحزاب:21)
Translation: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example.”

The best and most noble personality in the universe is Muhammad ﷺ. Salafis not only believe in this but also, as per Allah’s command, consider Muhammad ﷺ as their supreme leader and follow his exemplary life, while other Muslim sects follow different figures as their leaders and consider the blind following of these leaders as the path to salvation.

Third Quality: They follow the methodology of the Salaf (Predecessors) in following the Prophet ﷺ:
Allah says:
وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ وَأَعَدَّ لَهُمْ جَنَّاتٍ تَجْرِي تَحْتَهَا الْأَنْهَارُ خَالِدِينَ فِيهَا أَبَدًا ۚ ذَٰلِكَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ (التوبة:100)
Translation: “The early Muhajirun and Ansar, and those who followed them with good conduct, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. And He has prepared for them gardens beneath which rivers flow, where they will abide eternally. That is the great success.”

This special quality belongs only to the Salafis, as they walk in the footsteps of the Companions in following the Prophet ﷺ.

Fourth Quality: They are a group who invites to the true religion:
Allah says:
وَمِمَّنْ خَلَقْنَا أُمَّةٌ يَهْدُونَ بِالْحَقِّ وَبِهِ يَعْدِلُونَ (الأعراف:181)
Translation: “Among those We have created, there is a group who guide by the truth and thereby establish justice.”

This verse shows that a group will always remain who will properly propagate the religion of Muhammad, and that group is the Salafi group. Other factions may also engage in propagation, but they propagate the teachings of their elders and leaders, not the true message of Islam. The Salafis, from the pulpit to gatherings and conferences, always call people to the words of Allah and His Messenger.

Fifth Quality: The followers of the truth are few in number:
Allah says:
وَإِن تُطِعْ أَكْثَرَ مَن فِي الْأَرْضِ يُضِلُّوكَ عَنْ سَبِيلِ اللَّهِ ۚ إِن يَتَّبِعُونَ إِلَّا الظَّنَّ وَإِنْ هُمْ إِلَّا يَخْرُصُونَ (الأنعام:116)
Translation: “And if you obey most of those upon the earth, they will mislead you from the way of Allah. They follow not except assumptions, and they are not but falsifying.”

This verse, and many others like it, confirm that the number of those who are on the straight path is small, which is why the Salafi group is small in number compared to those who follow assumptions and personal opinions.

Sixth Quality: They refer to the Quran and Sunnah in case of disagreement:
Allah says:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ وَأُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنكُمْ ۖ فَإِن تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِن كُنتُمْ تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا (النساء:59)
Translation: “O you who have believed, obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you. And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is better and more excellent as a result.”

This verse shows that when differences arise, the matter should be referred to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. This characteristic is present only among Salafis.

Seventh Quality: They call for unity and agreement:
Allah says:
وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ (آل عمران:103)
Translation: “And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided.”

Salafis always call people to follow the words of Allah and His Messenger, as this is the true unity. Anyone who calls to the teachings of men, the words of elders, or the sayings of particular leaders, is spreading division and straying from the true path of Islam, which Allah has forbidden.

There are many other attributes mentioned in the Quran, but due to the length, I am unable to cover all of them. For those who understand, the arguments provided here are sufficient. Now, let us reflect on a few attributes in the light of the hadiths.

The Prophet ﷺ testified to the goodness and virtue of three periods of time, which is why the righteous people of those times are referred to as the Salaf (righteous predecessors). The Prophet ﷺ said:

خيرُ أمتي القرنُ الذين يلوني . ثم الذين يلونهم . ثم الذين يلونهم . (صحيح مسلم:2532)

Translation: The best period is my period, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.

Those who follow the methodology of the Prophet ﷺ and the Salaf are called Salafi, and following the Salaf’s methodology is also commanded in the Quran, as mentioned earlier, and is supported by hadith as well. In the hadith about the seventy-three sects of the Ummah, the Prophet ﷺ identified the group that will be saved, stating:

ما أَنا علَيهِ وأَصحابي (صحيح الترمذي:2641)

Translation: They are those who follow what I and my companions follow.

One significant characteristic of the group that follows the methodology of the Salaf is mentioned by the Prophet ﷺ:

لا تزال طائفةٌ من أمتي قائمةً بأمرِ اللهِ ، لا يضرُّهم من خذلهم أو خالفهم ، حتى يأتي أمرُ اللهِ وهم ظاهرون على الناسِ (صحيح مسلم:1037)

Translation: There will always be a group from my Ummah who will remain upon the command of Allah, no harm will come to them from those who abandon them or oppose them, until the command of Allah arrives, and they will remain victorious over the people.

Whenever Salafis face oppression, are opposed, or are called terrorists or given bad names, this precious saying of the Prophet ﷺ reassures the believers, telling them not to worry, for this is exactly what was foretold for them. This group will be those who uphold the Sunnah during times of dispute and avoid all forms of innovation and superstition in religion. The Prophet ﷺ said:

أوصيكم بتقوى اللهِ والسمعِ والطاعةِ وإن عبدًا حبشيًّا، فإنه من يعِشْ منكم بعدي فسيرى اختلافًا كثيرًا، فعليكم بسنتي وسنةِ الخلفاءِ المهديّين الراشدين تمسّكوا بها، وعَضّوا عليها بالنواجذِ، وإياكم ومحدثاتِ الأمورِ فإنَّ كلَّ محدثةٍ بدعةٌ، وكلَّ بدعةٍ ضلالةٌ (صحيح أبي داود:4607)

Translation: I advise you to fear Allah and to listen and obey, even if a black slave leads you. Indeed, whoever among you lives after me will witness much disagreement. In such a case, hold on to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Caliphs; hold on to it firmly and bite onto it with your molar teeth. Beware of innovations, for every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance leads to the Fire.

If you search for the truth and look at the state of the Muslims, you will find many innovations and various types of heresies in the different sects. Salafism is the only pure Muhammadan way that leaves no room for innovation. The Prophet ﷺ also mentioned the sign of the Ghuraba (strangers), stating:

بدأَ الإسلامُ غريبًا، وسيعودُ كما بدأَ غريبًا، فطوبى للغرباءِ (صحيح مسلم:145)

Translation: Islam began as something strange and will return to being strange, so glad tidings to the strangers.

In another narration, the Ghuraba are explained as follows:

طوبى للغرباءِ أناسٌ صالِحونَ في أناسٍ سوءٍ كثيرٍ ، مَنْ يَعصيهم أكثرُ ممَّنْ يُطِيعُهُمْ (صحيح الجامع:3921)

Translation: Glad tidings to the strangers! These are some righteous people among a large group of evil people. Those who reject them will be more than those who accept them.

This serves as a lesson to those who claim that the majority is always right. The majority does not define the truth; rather, numerous texts show that those on the right path are few, and they are the ones who will be saved. I will end with one last attribute.

وَعَن مَالك بن أنس مُرْسَلًا قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: تَرَكْتُ فِيكُمْ أَمْرَيْنِ لَنْ تَضِلُّوا مَا تَمَسَّكْتُمْ بِهِمَا: كِتَابَ اللَّهِ وَسُنَّةَ رَسُولِهِ «رَوَاهُ مالك فِي الْمُوَطَّأ»

Translation: Malik bin Anas narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “I have left among you two things, and you will never go astray as long as you hold fast to them: the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger.”

This hadith was declared Hasan by Sheikh Al-Albani. The Prophet ﷺ indicated that the distinguishing feature of the group that will be saved in every era is that they will adhere to the Book and Sunnah. Any group that abandons these will face destruction. The perfect adherence to the Book and Sunnah is a characteristic found solely in the Salaf and Salafi group.

From the above-mentioned texts of the Book and Sunnah, it is clear that these attributes belong to the Salaf and those who follow them, in other words, these attributes are fully found in the Salafis. Another well-known name for them is Ahl al-Hadith (People of Hadith).

Whether one accepts it or not, I believe that if any group is sincere in its commitment to Islam, claims to follow the Quran and Hadith, and is truthful in this claim, they too can be called Salafi, Ahl al-Hadith, or Muhammadi. However, do you know why those who follow blind imitation of specific sects never call themselves Muhammadi, Salafi, or Ahl al-Hadith? It is because they are distant from the teachings of the Quran and Hadith. Even if they claim to follow the Quran and Hadith, they are false in their claim. It is well known that a claim without evidence is invalid.

The final point to focus on is that the terms Salafi or Ahl al-Hadith were not necessary for us. Allah has named us Muslims, and this name is sufficient for us. However, due to the sectarian divisions within the Muslim Ummah, it became necessary to distinguish ourselves from groups such as the Khawarij, Rafida, Qadariyyah, Murji’ah, Jabriyyah, Jahmiyyah, and Mu’tazilah, etc. Thus, these terms became essential. It is also important to understand that following the Salaf means following Allah and His Messenger according to the way the Salaf understood and practiced it, i.e., understanding and implementing the religion as they did. The Salaf serves as our guiding light in understanding and practicing the religion.