Why call yourself “Salafi”? By Ibn Taymiyyah, Muhammad Ibn Abdul-Wahhāb, Ibn Bāz, Al-Albāni and Ibn ‘Uthaimeen

Why call yourself “Salafi”? Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Abdul-Wahhaab, Ibn Baaz, Al-Albaanee and Ibn ‘Uthaimeen

Ibn Taymiyyah said (d.728): “There is no criticism upon the one who makes manifest the Madh-hab of the Salaf, and ascribes himself to it, and affiliates himself to it [by saying: I am Salafi], rather that ascription is accepted from him by consensus for indeed the madh-hab of the Salaf is nothing other than the truth.” (Majmoo’ al-Fataawa, 4/149)

Muhammad Ibn ‘Abdul-Wahhaab (d.1206) said: “We are, and praise be to Allaah, followers and not innovators. We are followers of the Book and Sunnah and of the Righteous Salaf of this Ummah, upon the Madh-hab of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, the Madh-hab that Allaah’s Messenger (ﷺ) commanded with.”

‘Abdul-’Azeez Ibn Baaz (d.1420) was asked concerning the Saved Sect, so he responded: “They are the Salafis and all those who proceed upon the path of the Righteous Salaf.”

Muhammad Naasirud-Deen Al-Albaanee (d.1420) said: “There is no doubt that the apparent, clear and distinguishing title is that [when] we say: “I am a Muslim upon the Book and Sunnah and upon the manhaj of our Righteous Salaf,” is that you saying in shortened terms: “I am a Salafi”.”

Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-’Uthaimeen (d.1421) said: “Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, in belief, they are the Salaf – and even a person of later times until the Day of Resurrection. So long as he is upon the path of the Prophet  (ﷺ) and his Companions, then he is a Salafi.” (Sharh al-’Aqeedatil-Waasitiyyah, 8/40 part of his Majmoo’ al-Fataawa)

Twitter @AbuKhadeejahSP