What Is Salafiyyah?

As Salafiyyah is a connection to the Salaf.  The Salaf are
companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam)
and those who follow them in good from the first three virtuous
generations and then (all those) after them (who follow them and
are upon their way).  This is Salafiyyah.  An affiliation to
Salafiyyah means (that one) affiliates (his/herself) to that which
the companions of the Messenger of Allah  (sallAllaahu ‘alahi
wasallam) were upon and the way of the people of Hadeeth.  The
people of Hadeeth are those who are upon the Salafy
methodology and follow it.  As Salafiyyah is the (proper) belief in
the names and attributes of Allah, the (proper) belief in Qadar
and the (proper) belief in the Sahaabah (companions of the
Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi was sallam) and so on and so
forth.  


The Salaf believe in Allah and in His beautiful names and exalted
attributes that He (Allah) has described Himself with; and that
which He was described with by His Messenger (sallAllaahu ‘alaihi
wasallam).  They believed in (His names and attributes) in a
manner that befits the majesty of Allah (Subhaanahu wat Ta’ala),
without distorting them, nor resembling them to the creation, nor
negating them nor explaining them with false and erroneous
explanations.


They believe in Qadar the good and bad of it and that a servant’s
Imaan (faith) is not complete until he believes in the Qadar that
Allah has decreed upon His Servants.  Allah says,
“And verily We created everything with Qadar.”

[Suratul Qamar: 49] 

As far as the (proper belief with regards to the) Sahaabah, this
means the belief that it is incumbent to be pleased with the
companions of the Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam)
and that all of them are trustworthy and that they are the best of
the Ummah and the best generation.  The belief that every one of
them is trustworthy, opposes that which is believed by the Shi’ah
and the Khawaarij who considered the companions of the
Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) to be disbelievers
and did not recognize their rights or the truth (of their noble
position).

Salafiyyah does not have a leader other than the Messenger of
Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam).  The Messenger of Allah
(sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) is the Imaam of Salafiyyah and the
example (that is to be followed).  The companions of the
Messenger of Allah (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) are (also) examples
(to be followed).  The foundation (or source) of this principle
(can be found) in the statement of the Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alahi
wasallam),


“The Jews split into seventy one groups.  The Christians
split into seventy two groups.  This Ummah will split into
seventy three groups; all of them will be in the fire except
one.”  They (the Sahaabah) said, “Who are they (that saved
group) O Messenger of Allah?”  He, (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam)
said, “They are the one who are upon the like of what I and
my companions are upon.”
[Hadeeth collected by Imaam Abu Dawood, Imaam Ibn Maajah,
Imaam Ahmad, and Imaam Ad Daaramee.  Graded hassan
saheeh by Imaam Al Albaanee]


And his (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam’s) statement in the hadeeth of
Al ‘Irbaad bin Saariyah  (radi Allahu ‘anhu) who described the
Prophet’s (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) sermon, and that afterwards
he  (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) advised them to fear Allah.  He
(sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) said,
“I advise you to fear Allah and to listen and obey  (the
Muslim ruler), even if an Ethiopian slave was to become
your ruler.”
Then he (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) ordered that his Sunnah and
the Sunnah of the rightly guided khulafaa (plural of khaleefah) be
followed.  He (sallAllaahu ‘alahi wasallam) said,
“Incumbent upon you is my sunnah and the sunnah of the
rightly guided khulafaa after me, bite (hold) onto  it with
your molar teeth.  And beware of newly invented matters (in
the religion), for verily every newly invented matter (in the
religion) is a bid’ah and every bid’ah is a misguidance.”
[Hadeeth collected by Imaam At Tirmathee, and graded saheeh
by Imaam Al Albaanee]




Author: Sheikh Ahmad bin Yahya An Najmee (may Allah have mercy
on him)
Translator: Abu ‘Abdis Salaam Siddiq Al Juyaanee

A bus driver converts to Islam

Several years ago an Imam moved to London, United Kingdom. He often took the bus from his home to the downtown area. Some weeks after he arrived, he had occasion to ride the same bus. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a twenty pence (a.k.a 'tuppence') too much change


As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, you better give the twenty pence back. It would be wrong to keep it. Then he thought, "Oh, forget it, it's only tuppence. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway the bus company already gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a gift from Allah (swt) and keep quiet.


"When his stop came, the Imam paused momentarily at the door, then he handed the twenty pence back to the driver and said, "Here, you gave me too much change". The driver with a smile, replied,"Aren't you the new Imam in this area?


 I have been thinking lately about going to worship at your Mosque.I just wanted to see what you would do, if I gave you too much change.


"When the Imam, stepped off the bus, his knees became weak and soft, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, and held on for support, and looked up to the heavens and cried: 


"Oh Allah, I almost sold You and Islam for twenty pence!"


What we should take from this story is that as Muslims we are seen as strange but constantly we are being tested with our beautiful religion. The non-Muslims look at us and test us as well to see how Muslims really act. We should strive to humble ourselves and constantly represent Islam in the best way possible that is pleasing to Allah aza wa jal. Demonstrate kindness and peace throughout your journey with a pleasant smile and always remember Allah the All-Seeing sees everything.  

Hadeeth on The last Third of the Night

The Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me, that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?’”

[Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim]