Salafi???

Salafi is derived from Salaf which means the pious predecessors such as the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum), the Taabi'een and the Tabi Taabi'een. In this sense, all those who follow the path of these pious people, are Salafi. And thus, being a Salafi means being on Hidayah and the right path.

The Imam such as Imam Abu Hanifah (Rahmatullahi Alayh), Imam Malik (Rahmatullahi Alayh), Imam Shafi'i (Rahmatullahi Alayh) and Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal (Rahmatullahi Alayh), followed the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) and the Tabi’een. Thus, they are also Salafi. On the contrary, they are more deserving of this title than those who came after. If we analyse well, they are also the Salaf. Thus, the Muslims, who have followed these Imam, are also Salafi. On the contrary, they are the real Salafi.

But...

• If Salafi means to oppose and criticise the 4 Imams Rahmatullahi Alayhim ...,

• If Salafi means to follow the Deen with libertinism and anarchy ...,

• If Salafi means to be proud, boastful and to commit falsehood ...,

• If Salafi means to declare Sheikh Ibn-ul-'Arabi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) a Kaafir ...,

• If Salafi means to qualify Imam Al-Ghazali (Rahmatullahi Alayh) as misguided / deviated...,

• If Salafi means to criticise Sheikh Jalaaluddeen Rumi (Rahmatullahi Alayh) ...,

• If Salafi means to follow isolated opinions ...,

• If Salafi means to authorise living in Haraam after having given all the three Talaaq ...,

• If Salafi means to follow Nasiruddeen Albani ...,

Then, Salafi is the last thing that a person should become.

Unfortunately, nowadays, we find this kind of Salafi who, through their corrupt ways, is spoiling the image of those who are sincere but were somehow trapped innocently through ways we are not aware of. 

[English version of "Salafi ? ? ?" – Al Jamiat – Vol.3 No.15]