Question: Who are Salafis? Are they
part of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah?
ANSWER
Salafis are not part of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. In this age,
the Ahlus Sunnah comprises of the followers of the Four Math-habs - Hanafi,
Maaliki, Shaafi and Hambali. During the early era of Islam, there, were other
valid Math-habs of the Sunnah as well. However, all other Math-habs have
receded into oblivion, and only the Four Math-habs now remain. Any group which
is outside the fold of these Four Math-habs is a deviant sect belonging to one
of the 72 doomed, deviant sects predicted by Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi
wasallam). The term Salafi for these people is a misnomer. They are actually
the followers of Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab. Najdi who appeared on the scene during
the 17th century in Arabia, The proper designation of the Salafis is, therefore,
Wahhaabis. The founder of this sect, namely, Muhammad Bin Abdul Wahhaab revived Taimiyyism. He
was profoundly
influenced by the works of .Ibn Taimiyyah whose deviant
math-hab laid dormant for almost 5 centuries. Ibn Taimiyyah appeared more than 6 centuries after Rasulullah
(sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and initiated his own mathhab,
but deceptively maintained that he was from among the Hanaabilah.
In order to gain a foothold in the Ummah, the Wahhaabis called themselves Hanaabilah or the followers of the Hambali Math-hab whilst in reality they were not the true followers of Imaam Ahmad bin Hambal (rahmatullah alayh). They offered blind taqleed to Ibn Taimiyyah. These Salafis/ Wahhaabis are in conflict with the Hambali Math-hab on a variety of issues despite them resorting to Hambali Fiqh in general
They subscribe to some weird and vile beliefs which expel them from the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. Basically they are anthropomorphists. They ascribe human attributes to Allah Ta'ala. They interpret the Mutashaabihaat (Allegorical) verses 'of the Qur'aan Majeed and the Ahaadith literally. Thus, they ascribe to Allah Ta'ala literal hands, face, eyes, feet, etc. They are' in fact an offshoot of the Hashwi deviant sect. The Hashwis were vulgar anthropomorphists. Despite their public denial of being· Hashwis or Mujassimis, their beliefs confirm that they are anthropomorphists.
The vilest belief of kufr of their
imam, Ibn Taimiyyah was
that the universe is co-eternal with Allah Ta'ala. In
other words; the universe was not created by Allah Ta'ala.
It has been existing along with Allah Ta'ala. They brand as Mushrik those who undertake a journey to make ziyaarat
of the Holy Grave of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). These Hashwi 'Salafis' believe
that Rasulullah (sallallahu allayhi was all am) is not Hayaat (alive) in his Qabr. They propagate
the evil idea that
Rasulullah's mubaarak
body has decomposed, perished and transformed into soil.
Among the vile
beliefs of these
Hashwi-Salafis is that Allah Ta'ala is not infinite. He, according to their
anthropomorphic concept, is bound by limits. He is located in a confined place on the Throne. The Throne bears Him and is bigger than Him. He is in only one direction, namely, the direction which according to us humans is
'above'. Despite the Qur'aan asserting His Presence 'in the east and west, and wherever we may be', the Hashwis interpret this to mean His Knowledge, not His Presence.
This is merely a brief introduction to Salafi' ism/Taimiyyism/Wahhaabi 'ism. Insha-Allah, this deviant sect will be explained in
greater detail in books which shall be
forthcoming soon. Muslims should be alert to the depredations of these so-called Salafis. They operate with cunning. They have an unwritten policy of Taqiyah (holy hypocrisy) on the basis of which they conceal their true
colours and beliefs in order to gain followers from the Ahlus Sunnah. In a society where the Hanafi
Math-hab predominates, they pretend to be Hanafis. But generally they claim to be Hanaabilah. Under such guises they
entrap unwary and ignorant followers of the Math-habs to abandon
Taqleed and become followers of desire as they are. Their
deceptive slogan is 'Qur'aan and Sunnah '. Beware of them
The immoral
Saudi regime is also
Wahhaabi. In their belief, all the
followers of the Four Math-habs are kuffaar. However,
political considerations and indulgence in western immorality have constrained
them to be diplomatic and 'tolerant' towards the folIowers of the Math-habs. Although they claim that the Aqaaid (Beliefs) of the followers of the
Four Math-hab are kufr, political and other expedients have compelled them to mellow their abrasiveness and arrogance, hence they publicly withhold their fatwa of kufr which in terms of their Wahhaabi
tenets applies to the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah. But, for them, in reality, it is lawful
to massacre and
loot the Ahlus Sunnah (the People of the Four Math-habs).
