Discussion between the Shaykh and one of the students regarding being called a Salafi and whether that is correct or to say: Sunni.
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The Shaykh: Yes.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah. I mean, not a Khalafi, and perhaps this answer is sufficient, heh. Is that okay?
The questioner: Yes.
Another questioner : By Allah, it is good. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : But there are some issues.
The questioner : Yes, heh. I mean, for example, is it not better to be called a Sunni?
The Shaykh : No, it is not better.
The questioner : Why?
The Shaykh : Now, you are the one eager to say: Sunni. You will be exposed. If someone asks you, "What is your madhhab (school of jurisprudence)?" what do you say?
The questioner: The people of the Sunnah and the community.
The Shaykh : Okay, if someone says to you, "My brother, do not say: Sunni, say: Muslim," what is your response to him?
The questioner : I would say to him: It is necessary that every Sunni be a Muslim, because there is no Sunni who is not a Muslim.
The Shaykh : Correct. Now you have opened a path for inquiry: Is every Sunni a Salafi?
The questioner : By Allah, it is supposed that the Sunni is a Salafi.
The Shaykh : No, do not double up. Because what did you say just now? It is supposed that every Sunni is what? A Muslim. Okay, does every Muslim act in accordance with his Islam?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : You say: It is supposed. I am not asking you about what is supposed; I am asking you about reality.
The questioner : No, not every Muslim acts in accordance with his Islam.
The Shaykh: Good.
The questioner : Not every Muslim acts in accordance with his Islam.
The Shaykh : The question that led us to this question and its answer is: Is every Sunni a Salafi? You started saying: It is supposed. Forget the word "supposed."
The questioner : Okay, I will answer you.
The Shaykh : Speak about reality.
The questioner : To the extent of my ability, I mean!
The Shaykh : And I am speaking, and you, andThe Shaykh : those older than us, each one of us speaks to the extent of what?
The questioner : His knowledge and his ability.
The Shaykh : His ability. So this is a self-evident truth that does not need discussion. Now, is every Sunni a Salafi? To the extent of your ability, of course!
The questioner : Yes, if the Salaf were following the Sunnah, then every Sunni would be a Salafi.
The Shaykh : Ah, now you have muddled it. So you do not know what the meaning of the Salaf is!!
The questioner : It is not because of that that I am asking; I want to be sure.
The Shaykh : No, you did not let me know that you do not know what the meaning of the Salaf is. I told you in the short answer: A Salafi means not a Khalafi. It seems you also do not know what the meaning of Khalafi is! Is my statement correct or not?
The questioner : By Allah, to the extent of...
The Shaykh : Do not deviate, do not deviate.
The questioner : The Khalafi is...
The Shaykh : Do not evade.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Is my statement correct?
The questioner : By Allah, I know that you mean by Khalafi that one is lagging behind...
The Shaykh : What do I mean? I am asking you what you understand. Do you understand what the meaning of Khalafi is?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : What is the meaning of Khalafi?
The questioner : Khalafi means not holding fast to the Sunnah.
The Shaykh : It will become a turn for us: Is every one who holds fast to the Sunnah a Salafi?
The questioner : No, of course not.
The Shaykh : So, is every Salafi a Khalafi?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : Is every Khalafi a Salafi?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : So there is a difference between a Salafi and a Khalafi. You, for example, would you be pleased to belong to the Khalaf?
The questioner : By Allah, if you could explain the meaning to me, that would be better. May Allah reward you with good. My belonging to the Khalaf means my belonging to whom?
The Shaykh : My brother, we said: The Khalaf is the opposite of the Salaf, and the Salaf is the opposite of the Khalaf. Allah the Exalted said:[Maryam 19:59]. But it seems the scientific terms have not passed through you. I am not telling you: A Salafi, linguistically, is a reference to the Salaf. The Salaf are: the first century, the second, and the third. These are the Salaf. And the Khalaf: they are those who came after them.
The questioner : After the third century?
The Shaykh : Yes, after the third century, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2221Sahih (Darussalam) Yes? How?
The questioner : .
The Shaykh : Yes, so. When the term "Salaf" is used in the custom of the scholars of the Sunnah, the intended meaning is the Companions, the Tabi'un, and those who followed them. Those who came after them are the Khalaf. Then, regarding the creed concerning the names and attributes of Allah, there became two schools: the school of the Salaf and the school of the Khalaf. The school of the Salaf is the school of the Imams of Hadith, the most famous of whom is Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him). The school of these people is to interpret the verses of attributes and the hadiths of attributes as the righteous Salaf did. Now, you have heard the phrase "the righteous Salaf." Before, you heard "the Salaf." Is this naming prescribed or not?! Now we have added to the word "Salaf" the phrase "the righteous Salaf." Does this addition or description cast light on the term "Salaf," or did the matter remain as it was before in your mind?!
The questioner : Yes, I mean, there is no doubt that it is a very important matter for any type of Salaf, which is the righteous Salaf.
The Shaykh : Well done. Now, in the custom that is without disagreement among all scholars, whether they are Salafi or Khalafi, when "the Salaf" is mentioned, the intended meaning is the righteous Salaf, because there is no such thing as a wicked Salaf.
The questioner : Exactly:.
The Shaykh : This, and do not say: "The best of the generations," say:, because the hadith is like this. The point is, since there is no Salaf that is not righteous Salaf, the phrase is shortened and it is said: "The Salaf." So if you are told "the righteous Salaf," you do not wonder what this righteous Salaf is. But when you did not add the word "righteous" to "Salaf," you asked what this reference is?! Now, when I say: Salafi, or the Salaf, there is no longer any question in your mind, correct?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Okay, the opposite of the Salaf, and if you wish or I wish, you say or I say: The opposite of the righteous Salaf is the wicked Khalaf. There is no righteous Khalaf and wicked Khalaf, because the word "Khalaf" has become a proper name for those who oppose the Salaf, just as "Salaf" has become a proper name for the righteous Salaf, because there is no wicked Salaf. So they are two opposing, contradictory terms, at opposite extremes. I told you: There is no difference among all scholars, between those who belong to the knowledge of the Salaf and those who belong to the knowledge of the Khalaf, that if the term "Salaf" is used, the intended meaning is the Companions, the Tabi'un, and those who followed them. Do you understand?
The questioner: Mmm.
The questioner: Peace be upon you.
The Shaykh : And upon you be peace and the mercy of Allah. I mean, not a Khalafi, and perhaps this answer is sufficient, heh. Is that okay?
The questioner: Yes.
Another questioner : By Allah, it is good. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : But there are some issues.
The questioner : Yes, heh. I mean, for example, is it not better to be called a Sunni?
The Shaykh : No, it is not better.
The questioner : Why?
The Shaykh : Now, you are the one eager to say: Sunni. You will be exposed. If someone asks you, "What is your madhhab (school of jurisprudence)?" what do you say?
The questioner: The people of the Sunnah and the community.
The Shaykh : Okay, if someone says to you, "My brother, do not say: Sunni, say: Muslim," what is your response to him?
The questioner : I would say to him: It is necessary that every Sunni be a Muslim, because there is no Sunni who is not a Muslim.
The Shaykh : Correct. Now you have opened a path for inquiry: Is every Sunni a Salafi?
The questioner : By Allah, it is supposed that the Sunni is a Salafi.
The Shaykh : No, do not double up. Because what did you say just now? It is supposed that every Sunni is what? A Muslim. Okay, does every Muslim act in accordance with his Islam?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : You say: It is supposed. I am not asking you about what is supposed; I am asking you about reality.
The questioner : No, not every Muslim acts in accordance with his Islam.
The Shaykh: Good.
The questioner : Not every Muslim acts in accordance with his Islam.
The Shaykh : The question that led us to this question and its answer is: Is every Sunni a Salafi? You started saying: It is supposed. Forget the word "supposed."
The questioner : Okay, I will answer you.
The Shaykh : Speak about reality.
The questioner : To the extent of my ability, I mean!
The Shaykh : And I am speaking, and you, andThe Shaykh : those older than us, each one of us speaks to the extent of what?
The questioner : His knowledge and his ability.
The Shaykh : His ability. So this is a self-evident truth that does not need discussion. Now, is every Sunni a Salafi? To the extent of your ability, of course!
The questioner : Yes, if the Salaf were following the Sunnah, then every Sunni would be a Salafi.
The Shaykh : Ah, now you have muddled it. So you do not know what the meaning of the Salaf is!!
The questioner : It is not because of that that I am asking; I want to be sure.
The Shaykh : No, you did not let me know that you do not know what the meaning of the Salaf is. I told you in the short answer: A Salafi means not a Khalafi. It seems you also do not know what the meaning of Khalafi is! Is my statement correct or not?
The questioner : By Allah, to the extent of...
The Shaykh : Do not deviate, do not deviate.
The questioner : The Khalafi is...
The Shaykh : Do not evade.
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Is my statement correct?
The questioner : By Allah, I know that you mean by Khalafi that one is lagging behind...
The Shaykh : What do I mean? I am asking you what you understand. Do you understand what the meaning of Khalafi is?
The questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : What is the meaning of Khalafi?
The questioner : Khalafi means not holding fast to the Sunnah.
The Shaykh : It will become a turn for us: Is every one who holds fast to the Sunnah a Salafi?
The questioner : No, of course not.
The Shaykh : So, is every Salafi a Khalafi?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : Is every Khalafi a Salafi?
The questioner: No.
The Shaykh : So there is a difference between a Salafi and a Khalafi. You, for example, would you be pleased to belong to the Khalaf?
The questioner : By Allah, if you could explain the meaning to me, that would be better. May Allah reward you with good. My belonging to the Khalaf means my belonging to whom?
The Shaykh : My brother, we said: The Khalaf is the opposite of the Salaf, and the Salaf is the opposite of the Khalaf. Allah the Exalted said:
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued desires; so they are going to meet evil -
فَخَلَفَ مِنْ بَعْدِهِمْ خَلْفٌ أَضَاعُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَاتَّبَعُوا الشَّهَوَاتِ فَسَوْفَ يَلْقَوْنَ غَيًّاThe questioner : After the third century?
The Shaykh : Yes, after the third century, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them.
خير الناس قرني ، ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم ، ثم يأتي من بعدهم قومٌ يشهدون ولا يستشهدونThe questioner :
Their oath precedes their testimony.
يسبق يمينه شهادتهThe Shaykh : Yes, so. When the term "Salaf" is used in the custom of the scholars of the Sunnah, the intended meaning is the Companions, the Tabi'un, and those who followed them. Those who came after them are the Khalaf. Then, regarding the creed concerning the names and attributes of Allah, there became two schools: the school of the Salaf and the school of the Khalaf. The school of the Salaf is the school of the Imams of Hadith, the most famous of whom is Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him). The school of these people is to interpret the verses of attributes and the hadiths of attributes as the righteous Salaf did. Now, you have heard the phrase "the righteous Salaf." Before, you heard "the Salaf." Is this naming prescribed or not?! Now we have added to the word "Salaf" the phrase "the righteous Salaf." Does this addition or description cast light on the term "Salaf," or did the matter remain as it was before in your mind?!
The questioner : Yes, I mean, there is no doubt that it is a very important matter for any type of Salaf, which is the righteous Salaf.
The Shaykh : Well done. Now, in the custom that is without disagreement among all scholars, whether they are Salafi or Khalafi, when "the Salaf" is mentioned, the intended meaning is the righteous Salaf, because there is no such thing as a wicked Salaf.
The questioner : Exactly:
The best of the generations is my generation
خير القرون قرنيThe Shaykh : This, and do not say: "The best of the generations," say:
The best of people
خير الناسThe questioner: Yes.
The Shaykh : Okay, the opposite of the Salaf, and if you wish or I wish, you say or I say: The opposite of the righteous Salaf is the wicked Khalaf. There is no righteous Khalaf and wicked Khalaf, because the word "Khalaf" has become a proper name for those who oppose the Salaf, just as "Salaf" has become a proper name for the righteous Salaf, because there is no wicked Salaf. So they are two opposing, contradictory terms, at opposite extremes. I told you: There is no difference among all scholars, between those who belong to the knowledge of the Salaf and those who belong to the knowledge of the Khalaf, that if the term "Salaf" is used, the intended meaning is the Companions, the Tabi'un, and those who followed them. Do you understand?
The questioner: Mmm.
Source
www.al-albany.com
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.