[E-Book] The Obligation Of Following The Salaf, And The Prohibition And Danger Of Following Other Than Them

The Obligation Of Following The Salaf, And The Prohibition And Danger Of Following Other Than Them

Author: Shaikh Saalim at-Taweel

The Questioner asked: Is it lawful for a person to adopt the way of the Salaf (pious predecessors) - which is the method of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions - and call himself a "Salafee?"

Shaikh Saalim at-Taweel answered:

I have been asked this question so many times. However, tonight we wish to pose the question in a different manner. [The questioner asked,] "Is it lawful for a Muslim to take the methodology of the Salaf? Thus, if we said, "Is it lawful for a Muslim to take a method other than the method of the Salaf?" And that is because the origin is that the Muslim should take the methodology of the Salaf who preceded him - the Messenger (ﷺ) and his companions.

If a person said, "Is it lawful for a Muslim to follow the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) and his companions," this would be a very strange question.

Rather it is obligatory to follow the Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) and his companions. Why did Allaah send His Messenger (ﷺ)? In order that he (ﷺ) be obeyed - bi idhnillaah (by Allaah's Permission). And that he (ﷺ) be followed. And Allaah has commanded us to follow him.

Allaah, The Exalted, says:

يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا أَطِيعُوا الله وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ

“O you who believe! Obey Allaah, and obey the Messenger (Muhammad, (ﷺ)...” (Muhammad, ayah 33)

مَنْ يُطِعِ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدْ أَطَاعَ الله

“He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad (ﷺ) has indeed obeyed Allah...” (An-Nisa, ayah 80)

قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ الله فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ الله وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَالله غَفُور رَحِيم

“Say (O Muhammad (ﷺ) to mankind): "If you (really) love Allaah then follow me, Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful." (Aali 'Imran, ayah 31)

Therefore, following the Prophet (ﷺ) is obligatory. It is obligatory on each and every Muslim to follow the Messenger of Allaah. Follow him in what? (Follow him) in his 'aqeedah (beliefs, creed), in his manhaj (methodology), in his acts of 'ibadah (worship), in his character and etiquette and behavior (and dealings). He should follow the Messenger (ﷺ) in everything.

Allaah says:

لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ الله أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَة لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو الله وَالْيَوْمَ الآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ الله كَثِيرا

“Indeed in the Messenger of Allaah (Muhammad (ﷺ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes in (the Meeting with) Allaah and the Last Day and remembers Allaah much.” (Al-Ahzab, ayah 21)

Allaah made him (ﷺ) exempt and protected from mistakes and suitable to be followed in each and every thing. Therefore, it is obligatory upon us to follow him (ﷺ) and to follow his companions, and imitate their way. And this is something Allaah has commanded us with, and threatened the one who does not follow the companions (radiallaahu 'anhum ajma'een).

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