Salafi

The Salafi movement or Salafism () is a reform branch movement within Sunni Islam that originated during the nineteenth century. The name refers to advocacy of a return to the traditions of the "pious predecessors" (), the first three generations of Muslims, who are believed to exemplify the pure form of Islam. Those generations include the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his companions, whom he himself taught (the ); their successors (the ); and the successors of the successors (the ). In practice, Salafis maintain that Muslims ought to rely on the Qur'an, the and the (consensus) of the , giving these writings precedence over later religious interpretations. The Salafi movement aimed to achieve a renewal of Muslim life and had a major influence on many Muslim thinkers and movements across the Islamic world. Since its inception, Salafism has been evolving through the efforts of numerous Islamic reformers, whose interpretations have spread within various regions.

The Salafist doctrine is based on looking back to the early years of the religion to understand how contemporary Muslims should practice their faith. Salafi Muslims reject religious innovation or and support the implementation of (Islamic law). In its approach to politics, the Salafi movement is sometimes divided by Western academics and journalists into three categories: the largest group being the purists (or quietists), who avoid politics; the second largest group being the activists, who maintain regular involvement in politics; and the third group being the jihadists, who form a minority and advocate armed struggle to restore the early Islamic movement. In legal matters, Salafi Muslims are divided between those who, in the name of independent legal judgement (), reject strict adherence () to the four Sunni schools of law () and those who remain faithful to them, namely, the Saudi scholars, who do not follow any specific ''madhhab''.

In the contemporary era, Salafism refers to a cluster of different Sunni renewal and reform movements inspired by the teachings of classical theologians like Taqi al-Din ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328 CE/661–728 AH). The contemporary formed as a revivalist movement across the Muslim world during the late 19th century in the context of European imperialism and has remained a significant trend in Islamic thought for more than a century.

Syrian Islamic scholar Muhammad Rashid Rida (d. 1865- 1935) is widely regarded as the most influential scholar who championed conservative Salafi themes in the early twentieth century. Rida's religious orientation was shaped by his association with Syrian Hanbali and Salafi scholars who preserved the tradition of Ibn Taymiyya; these ideas would be popularised by Rida and his disciples, immensely influencing numerous Salafi organisations in the Arab world. Some Orientalist scholars of the early 20th century also described rationalist scholars of non-Salafi orientation such as Muhammad 'Abduh and Jamal al-Din Afghani as part of ''Salafiyya'', but this usage has become obsolete today, mainly because the rationalist scholars did not themselves adopt Salafi identity or its doctrines. Some of the major Salafi reform movements in the Islamic world today include the ''Ahl-i Hadith'' movement, inspired by the teachings of Shah Waliullah Dehlvi and galvanized through the South Asian jihad of Sayyid Ahmad Shahid; the Wahhabi movement of the Arabia; the Padri movement of Indonesia; Algerian Salafism, spearheaded by 'Abd al-Hamid Bin Badis; and others.

Etymology

Salafis consider the hadith that quotes Muhammad saying, "The best of my community are my generation, the ones who follow them and the ones who follow them." as a call to Muslims to follow the example of those first three generations, known collectively as the , or "pious Predecessors" ( ar, السلف الصالح, as-Salaf as-Ṣāliḥ). The salaf are believed to include Muhammad himself, the "Companions" (), the "Followers" (), and the "Followers of the Followers" (). Historically, the term ''Salafi'' as a proper noun and adjective had been used during the classical era to refer to the early theological school of .

Tenets

According to Bernard Haykel, "temporal proximity to the Prophet Muhammad is associated with the truest form of Islam" among many Sunni Muslims.

Salafis are first and foremost religious and social reformers engaged in creating and reproducing particular forms of authority and identity, both personal and communal. They define heirreformist project first and foremost through creedal tenets (i.e., a theology). Also important in its ''Manhaj'' (Arabic: منهج i.e. Methodology) are certain legal teachings as well as forms of sociability and politics.

The Salafi '' da'wa'' is a methodology, but it is not a '' madhhab'' (school) in '' fiqh'' (jurisprudence) as is commonly misunderstood. Salafis can come from the Maliki, Shafi'i, Hanbali, Hanafi or Zahirite law schools of Sunni ''Fiqh''. In theology, Salafis are highly influenced by Hanbali doctrines.GlobalSecurity.or
"Salafi Islam"
Global Security website The followers of Salafi school identify themselves as '' Ahlul Sunna wal Jama'ah'' and are also known as '' Ahl al-Hadith''. The ''Salafiyya'' movement champions this early Sunni school of thought, also known as traditionalist theology.

Salafis place great emphasis on practicing actions in accordance with the known ''sunnah,'' not only in prayer but in every activity in daily life. For instance, many are careful always to use three fingers when eating, to drink water in three pauses, and to hold it with the right hand while sitting.

Views on ''Taqlid'' (adherence to legal precedent)

The Salafi thought seeks the re-orientation of '' Fiqh'' (Islamic Jurisprudence) away from '' Taqlid'' (adherence to the legal precedent of a particular '' Madhhab'') and directly back to the Prophet, his Companions and the '' Salaf''. This preferred return to the pure way of the Prophet is termed "''Ittiba''" (following the Prophet by directly referring to the Scriptures). In legal approach, Salafis are divided between those who, in the name of independent legal judgement (''ijtihad''), reject strict adherence (''taqlid'') to the four schools of law (''madhahib'') and others who remain faithful to these.

Although Muhammad Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (d. 1792 C.E/ 1206 A.H) had personally rejected the practice of ''Taqlid'', Wahhabi scholars favoured following the Hanbali ''madhhab'' and generally permit ''Taqlid'' in following ''Fatwas'' (juristic legal opinions) and encourages following the ''madhhabs''. While they doctrinally condemned ''Taqlid'' and advocated ''Ijtihad'', historically the Wahhabi legal practice was grounded mostly within the confines of Hanbali school, until recently. The doctrinal rejection of ''Taqlid'' by Wahhabis would lead to subsequent emergence of prominent Wahhabi '' ulema'' such as Sa'd ibn 'Atiq, Abd Ar-rahman Ibn Nasar As Sa'adi, Ibn 'Uthaymin, Ibn Baz, etc.; who would depart significantly from Hanbali law.

Other Salafi movements, however, believe that ''taqlid'' is unlawful and challenge the authority of the legal schools. In their perspective, since the ''madhhabs'' emerged after the era of '' Salaf al-Salih'' (pious predecessors); those Muslims who follow a ''madhhab'' without directly searching for Scriptural evidences would get deviated. These include the scholars of ''Ahl-i Hadith'' movement,