01

Who are the Salaf?

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The Salaf are Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah who follow Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), consisting of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who follow their path until the Day of Resurrection. When the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was asked about 'Al-Firqah Al-Najiyah' (the Saved Sect), he said: 'They are those who are upon the like of what I and my companions are upon today.' [1] [2]

1. Sunan at-Tirmidhi [Book on faith] 2641
2. Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 6149, Question 2

02

What is Salafism (al-Salafiyyah)?

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Salafism (Al-Salafiyyah) is an attribution to the Salaf. The Salaf are the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the leaders of guidance from the first three preferred generations (may Allah be pleased with them). These are the ones for whom the Messenger of Allah ﷺ testified to their goodness in his saying:

"The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. Then there will come people whose testimony precedes their oath and whose oath precedes their testimony." (Narrated by Imam Ahmad in his Musnad, Al-Bukhari, and Muslim) [1].

Salafis (Al-Salafiyyun): This is the plural of "Salafi," which is an attribution to the Salaf (as defined above). They are those who follow the methodology (Manhaj) of the Salaf in adhering to the Quran and the Sunnah, calling people to them, and acting upon them. By doing so, they are the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. [2]

1. Musnad Ahmad 4/426, 4/427, 4/479; Al-Bukhari [Fath-ul-Bari] no. 2651, 3650, 6428, and 6695; Muslim no. 2535; Abu Dawud no. 4657; and Al-Tirmidhi, nos. 2222, 2223.
2. Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 1361, Question 2

03

What is the technical definition of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah?

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They are: Whoever is upon the like of what Muhammad bin Abdullah (peace and blessings be upon him) and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) were upon. These are the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. [1]

1. Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 4143, Question 2

04

What are the foundations and principles of the Salafi Da'wah?

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The Salafi Da'wah is the call to that which the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and those who followed them in righteousness were upon. This is done through wisdom, fair preaching, and arguing in a way that is best, while also striving against one's own self (Jihad al-Nafs) to act upon what one calls others to. [1]

1. Fatawa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da'imah 12/241, Fatwa no. 6265, Question 1