American Giants of ‘Ilm (Knowledge)
YQ: “The term Salafi is not a Quranic or Islamic term. It is not found in the Hadeeth.”
Jalal Abualrub says: the term, Salaf, was established by the Prophet Muhammad himself, when he, Allah’s blessings and mercy on him, described himself to his honorable daughter, Fatimah, as being the best ‘Salaf’ for her, by saying, “Fa-inni ni`ma As-Salafu ana laki” (Bukhari, and, Muslim).
This hadeeth describes what Allah’s Prophet is to us in this life: he is our predecessor. Was Fatimah a, salaf-iyyah, a follower of her Salaf, as indicated by ‘iyyah’ in ‘salaf-iyyah’, who is the very best Salaf indeed, Muhammad, salla allahu alaihi wa-sallam?
Here is another hadeeth that establishes what Allah’s Prophet, salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam, will be to and for us on the Day of Resurrection. Um Salamah, the Prophet’s honorable wife, said, “I heard the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa-sallam, say on this minbar (podium): ‘Inni (I will be) lakum (for you) salafun (salaf) `ala (next to) Al-Kauthar (The Prophet’s fountain-lake outside the gate of Paradise)’” (Al-Albani. As-Silsilah As-Saheehah).
Here is another narration from `Ata, a major scholar from the second generation of Islam, who said to Ibn Juraij, from the scholars of the third generation of Islam, “Your Salaf used to eat this meat (meaning horse meat).” Ibn Juraij said, “The Companions of the Messenger of Allah?” `Ata said, “Yes.” (As-San`ani. Subul As-Salam 4:116).
Furthermore, Al-`Hasan Al-Basri, who was raised in the house of Um Salamah, the Prophet’s honorable wife, used to say, “Your As-Salaf As-Sali`h taught you Adab (good manners) and Makarim Al-Akhlaq (the most honorable conduct).”As-Salaf As-Sali`h have been called as such since the early era of Islam. No latter-day midget of knowledge can change this fact. Next, examine how Yasir Qadhi deliberately tries to confuse Muslims about the way of the Salaf.
Jalal Abualrub