How do we keep Steadfast upon the Way of the Salaf ... - QSEP

Article No. 01
steadfast
How do we keep
upon the
way
salaf
of the
By Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan
Translated by Shawana A. Aziz
Salaf: The first three generations of Muslims;
i.e., the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet),
Tabi'oon (successors of the Sahabah) and
Taba at-Tabi'oon (successors of the Tabi'oon)
in accordance with the hadeeth of the Messenger
which is reported in Saheeh al-Bukharee,
“The best of generations is my generation, then those
who follow them, then those who follow them and
then there will come a people in whom there will be no
good."
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What are the Sharee'ah principles that a Muslim should follow in order to keep oneself committed and steadfast
on the way of the Salaf as-Saleh (the righteous predecessors) and avoid deviation and misguidance from it and
from being effected by erroneous ways
Reply by Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan, “In brief,
1. One should refer to the people of knowledge and Baseerah (clear understanding), learn from them and consult them
about what comes to their minds and give precedence to their (i.e., the scholars') opinion in it.
2. To deliberate concerning issues and not hasten in them, and avoid haste in issuing rulings concerning the people, Allah
says, "O you who believe! If a rebellious evil person comes to you with a news, verify it, lest you harm people in ignorance,
and afterwards you become regretful to what you have done." [Soorah al-Hujurat (49): 6]
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"...Verify (the truth), and say not to anyone who greets you (by embracing Islam), 'You are not a believer' - seeking
the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah. Even as he is now, so were
you yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His Favors (i.e. guided you to Islam), therefore, be cautious in
discrimination. Allah is Ever Well-Aware of what you do.' [Soorah an-Nisa (4): 94]
'be cautious' means verify what reaches you.
3. Then if what has reached you is verified and established, then it is to be treated in a manner that will rectify and reform
and not in a manner that is violent or complicated. Allah's Messenger said, "Give good tidings to the (people) and make
things easy (for them), teach (them), and do not repel (them)." [Saheeh Muslim (4960)]
In all circumstances, issues are to be treated with wisdom, deliberation and patience, and it is not suitable for
every person to plunge into subjects in which he has no authority or expertise.
4. Similarly, it is from the principles that one equips himself with the beneficial knowledge through attending the
gatherings of the people of knowledge and paying attention to their opinions, and reading the books of the Salaf as-Saleh
and biographies of the reformers from the Salaf of this Ummah and its scholars –
How they solved issues, exhorted and admonished
How they used to enjoined the good and forbade the evil
and their manner of giving rulings concerning issues.
All this has been recorded in biographies and past narratives of what occurred in the lives of reformers, "Indeed in their
stories, there is a lesson for men of understanding." [Soorah Yusuf (12): 111]
A Muslim should study the biographies of the Salaf as-Saleh, their circumstance and their way of dealing with issues, until
he follows their foot-steps, and should not pay heed to those who are hasty and ignorant, who agitate people without
proper understanding.
Many booklets, lectures and articles are published these days by the ignorant about issues of the Sharee'ah; they incite
people, order the people with that which neither Allah nor His Messenger has ordered - (they may do this) with good
intentions, but examples are not set by good intention (alone), rather an example is taken from that which is correct. And
the truth is what agrees with the Qur'aan and the Sunnah in accordance with the understanding of the Salaf. And the
people are, as the Messenger said that they commit mistakes, and they sin, so the correct is taken and the wrong is
abandoned.” [Muntaqa Fatawa Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan (q. 465, p. 455)]
Articles in this series:
Article No. 01: How do we keep steadfast upon the way of the Salaf
Article No. 02: The essential relationship between the youth and the scholars of Islam.
Article No. 03: Enjoining the good and Forbidding the Evil: Significance, Manner and Approach
Article No. 04: The Prohibition of engaging in Dawah without Knowledge
Article No. 05: Is Ignorance an excuse in matters of Aqeedah (beliefs)
These articles can also be downloaded from our website www.qsep.com
Published by Quran Sunnah Educational Programs
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