Author:
Laila Nasheeba
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Date Posted: 13:05:33 06/26/02 Wed
Author Host/IP: dhcp024-210-245-129.woh.rr.com/24.210.245.129
As Slaamu Alaikoum,
Praise be to Allah.
The word salafi refers to one who follows the Quran and Sunnah in accordance to the understanding of the Sahabah.
The word Muslim is one who submits himself to Allah.
The Prophet(saw) did not call himself a Salaf. Nor did he refer to his ummah of people as being Salafis.. he refered to himself and his Ummah as MUSLIMS.
The Sahabah also refered to themselfs as Muslim and not salafis.
I choose to call Myself a Muslim for this is what the Prophet(saw) and his sahaba called themself and this is the name that ALLAH has given to us. If a person asks me what do I believe I tell them I am a MUSLIM who follows the Quran and Sunnah in accordance to the understanding of the Sahaba.. not in accordance to the understanding of anyone else or a Mathab. And this is sufficent.
The reason I refuse to LABEL Myself as anything else is that although there is nothing wrong in calling yourself salafi or sunni, (Both indicate that the person follows the sunnah) Unfortunately this has now led to separation from the ummnah and now another sect or group of Muslims have arisen who slander others and propagate that everyone is going to hell except them.
The Prophet(saw) has told us to stay away from sects for they will all be in the hellfire, and he has ordered us to stick with the group of MUSLIMS and their ruler even if it means biting the root of a tree:
Narrated Hudhaifa bin Al Yaman
The people used to ask Allah's Apostle about the good but I used to ask him about the evil lest I should be overtaken by them. So I said, "O Allah's Apostle! We were living in ignorance and in an (extremely) worst atmosphere, then Allah brought to us this good (i.e., Islam); will there be any evil after this good?" He said, "Yes." I said, "Will there be any good after that evil?" He replied, "Yes, but it will be tainted (not pure.)" I asked, "What will be its taint?" He replied, "(There will be) some people who will guide others not according to my tradition? You will approve of some of their deeds and disapprove of some others." I asked, "Will there be any evil after that good?"
He replied, "Yes, (there will be) some people calling at the gates of the (Hell) Fire, and whoever will respond to their call, will be thrown by them into the (Hell) Fire." I said, "O Allah s Apostle! Will you describe them to us?" He said, "They will be from our own people and will speak our language." I said, "What do you order me to do if such a state should take place in my life?" He said, "Stick to the group of Muslims and their Imam (ruler)." I said, "If there is neither a group of Muslims nor an Imam (ruler)?" He said, "Then turn away from all those sects even if you were to bite (eat) the roots of a tree till death overtakes you while you are in that state." [Bukhari 9.206]
The scholars of Saudi refer to themselves as being Salaf to imply that they follow the Quran and Sunnah in accordance to the Understanding of the Sahaba, and they do this because many Muslims say they follow the Sunnah but in reality do not. The Arabic word Salaf sums up my saying in english (In accordance to the understanding of the Sahabah) so in reality there is no diffence. The scholars did not create the term to cause separation or division or to create some new SECT or group, they use it simply to CLARIFY their aqeedah.
Neither have these scholars thrown aside or traded in the the name given to them by Allah which is MUSLIM.
May Allah keep us all on the Path of the Quran and the Sunnah as understand and followed by the BEST generation of MUSLIMS...
Laila Nasheeba
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