Understanding the Fear of Salafism Among Ahl-e-Taqlid
Why do Ahl-e-Taqlid fear Salafism?
Salafiyyah is the way and methodology of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) and his companions. Salafis live their lives exactly according to this methodology. Apart from the Salafis, all other sects, groups, and schools of thought within the Muslim Ummah have deviated from the methodology of the Prophet and his companions. In fact, many sects harbor deviations in their beliefs, and only Salafis are free from the taints of shirk (associating partners with Allah) and innovations (bid’ah). Whether one agrees or not, I believe that if any group is sincere to Islam, claims to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah, and is true to its claim, then that group can be called Salafi, Ahl al-Hadith, or Muhammadi. However, do you know why those who follow Taqleed and are adherents of specific schools of thought do not associate themselves with the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), the companions, or the hadith scholars by calling themselves Muhammadi, Salafi, or Ahl al-Hadith? It is because they are distant from the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. Even if they claim to follow the Qur’an and Sunnah, they are lying in their claim. Everyone knows that a claim without evidence is invalid.
An important principle of Islam is that we will not accept any claim without proof because our religion is based on evidence. Abdullah ibn Abbas Radeyallahu Anhu narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:
“If the people were given according to their claims, they would claim the lives of persons and their properties, but the oath must be taken by the defendant.” (Sahih Muslim: 1711)
This hadith teaches us that the one making the claim must provide evidence, and no claim will be accepted without proof. The one who denies a claim must swear an oath. The claimant is responsible for presenting proof, as another clear hadith states:
“The burden of proof is upon the claimant, and the oath is upon the one who denies.” (Irwaa’ al-Ghaleel: 2685)
Thus, it becomes clear that followers of Taqleed cannot call themselves Salafi, Ahl al-Hadith, or Muhammadi. The reason is evident. They take pride in associating themselves with minor, insignificant titles like Deobandi and Barelvi, but why do they fear calling themselves Salafi or Muhammadi? In truth, they harbor animosity towards Salafiyyah. They are far removed from the teachings of the Salaf and adhere to self-invented sayings under the guise of Qur’an and Hadith.
Salafiyyah is a clear and pure methodology granted to us by the Prophet (ﷺ), which was followed by the Muslims of the best generations. Blessed are those who adopt the methodology of the best generations, and unfortunate are those who blindly follow later people. The words of the Prophet (ﷺ) ring true:
"People will take ignorant leaders. They will be asked questions and will give fatwas without knowledge. They will go astray and lead others astray."(Sahih Muslim: 2673)
In today’s time, the biased behavior, ignorant attitude, violent actions, and criminal conduct of the followers of Taqleed towards Salafis clearly reveal, like the light of day, the hatred and enmity they harbor towards those who follow the methodology of the Salaf—just as disbelievers feel towards Islam. The demolition of Ahl al-Hadith mosques, the seizure of pure houses of Allah, unholy schemes against monotheists in mosques and schools, oppression of Salafi Muslims in communities, constant taunts of “Wahhabi” day and night, their social ostracization, assistance in the impure plans of governments, false cases against innocent people, inciting the public against Ahl al-Hadith, training their students in debate like they would prepare for jihad against disbelievers, teaching people to avoid dealings, marriages, mosques, schools, and even books of Salafis—all of this to distance the masses from them. They associate terrorism with Salafi Muslims and Salafi organizations, and obstruct the spread and teaching of the pure Qur’an and Sunnah. If disbelievers were to do such heinous acts, it wouldn’t be as surprising as seeing those who preach respect for Muslims and roam the streets day and night in the name of the Prophet’s mission of propagation (da’wah) committing such actions.
It is the followers of Taqleed who have hindered Dr. Zakir Naik’s da’wah efforts, made life difficult for him in India, labeled him a terrorist, linked his mission to terrorism, and obstructed the spread of pure Qur’anic and Sunnah teachings. He neither robbed anyone nor shut down any shop, nor oppressed anyone, nor destroyed anyone’s home, nor killed anyone. If inviting to the oneness of Allah (Tawheed) is a crime, then that is the only crime he committed—a crime that the Prophets also committed. He invited people to worship only Allah. The punishment meted out to Dr. Zakir Naik by Muslims fearful of India’s Salafis is reminiscent of the punishment disbelievers gave to the Prophets. How similar the actions of today’s false Muslims are to those of the disbelievers of the past!
Fine, Allah’s religion does not depend on anyone. Stopping a single person from da’wah (inviting to Islam) will not extinguish this religion. Allah takes His work from whomsoever He wills, and this religion will prevail, even if people continue to oppose the true faith and the Salafi methodology.
The British understood that the true guardians of the homeland and the real, sincere Muslims were the Salafis. This is why they considered them their greatest enemies and specifically targeted them, calling them “Wahhabis.” At that time, not only in India but across the world, the open and harsh enmity of disbelievers and Muslims of various sects towards Salafis showed that we Salafis are the true, firm Muslims who are genuinely following the straight path (Sirat al-Mustaqeem). Our pure call to Tawheed (monotheism) strikes fear in the hearts of both disbelievers and those following self-invented sects. On one hand, people are entering Islam in large numbers after reciting the Kalima of Tawheed, and on the other hand, many are repenting from Taqleed (blind following) and shirk (associating partners with Allah) and becoming true, firm Salafis. Why wouldn’t the disbelievers fear the Salafis, and why wouldn’t we be labeled as terrorists by the followers of Taqleed?
Despite the oppression and injustice inflicted upon us, we have never called the followers of Taqleed our enemies, nor have we accused them of anything or hurled insults at them. We have never seized any mosque or madrasa, filed false cases in court, or used any innocent person as a tool for the government. We have always maintained patience, enduring insult after insult without letting a word of complaint escape our lips. Yet today, in the Indian Parliament, Badruddin Ajmal, a graduate of a madrasa, who has been nourished by the wealth of Salafi countries and who adorns his face with the Sunnah beard, has openly declared Salafis to be terrorists, revealing his sectarian hatred in no uncertain terms before the nation’s leaders. We already knew of their deep-seated enmity towards Salafiyyah, and now even the disbelievers have witnessed it. Such disgraceful acts by Muslims make it easier for disbelievers to understand their motives, enabling them to buy off the consciences of such clerics and massacre true Muslims.
In conclusion, I want to send a message to those who harbor enmity towards Salafiyyah: one day, you will face Allah. Remember that day when your false claims of Islam and the humiliation you brought to Muslims will bury you under the weight of your shameful deeds. Fear your meeting with your Lord. How long will you keep slaughtering your own brothers? How long will you keep dividing Muslims from one another? How long will you continue handing your brothers over to the oppression of disbelievers? How long will you maintain your hostility towards the Salafi methodology? Allah has sent you as one Ummah, to help your brothers, to wage jihad against the disbelievers, and to present the true religion to them. He has sent you to hold firmly to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger. Remember the purpose of your creation, which you have forgotten. Stop engaging in political games against your own brothers within the religion. Make the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah your standard of life, just as we do, and then witness how strong we become and how disbelieving governments tremble before us. If only you truly loved Muhammad (ﷺ) as much as you claim, and implemented his message in your lives.
We pray to Allah to grant all Muslims the true understanding of the faith, to distance them from sectarian hatred, to correct their beliefs and actions, and to unite them on one platform so that they may overcome the disbelievers and polytheists. Ameen.
Written by: Shaikh Maqbool Ahmed Salafi (May Allah protect him)
Jeddah Da’wah Center, (Saudi Arabia)
Interpreter: Hasan Fuzail