The Shaykh’s Guidance on the Obligation of the Addition: And upon the methodology of the righteous Salaf, for everyone who claims to be upon the Book and the Sunnah.

The Shaykh : This is because we say in these days a statement that is of utmost necessity for Muslims to be aware of and to hold firmly to: We say that it is not sufficient today for Islamic callers to limit their call to the Book and the Sunnah alone. This is because all known Islamic schools and groups, both old and new, do not have anyone who says, “We are not upon the Book and the Sunnah.” They all say this phrase: “The Book and the Sunnah.” Nevertheless, I say that this is not sufficient today, because the Book and the Sunnah include another addition to the Book and the Sunnah, similar to what scholars of the principles of jurisprudence say when they state: “The sources of legislation are four: the Book, the Sunnah, scholarly consensus, and analogical reasoning.” So there are four, whereas all Muslims say: “The Qur'an and the Sunnah, and nothing beyond that.” This is correct, and there is nothing beyond that. However, the detail, clarification, and explanation from the perspective of the principles of jurisprudence must be added to the Book and the Sunnah: scholarly consensus and correct analogical reasoning, for the sake of clarification and explanation. Also, from the perspective of the call, it should be added to the Book and the Sunnah: and upon the methodology of the righteous Salaf. Today, callers are divided into two groups regarding this methodology: some do not call to this good at all, and are content with saying only “The Book and the Sunnah,” and these are the majority of callers. The other group are those who share with us in this important addition: “and upon the methodology of the righteous Salaf.” But these people are also of two types: a practical type and a verbal type. They say with their tongues what does not appear in their actions. I do not say: what is not in their hearts. From this, the difference appears between some Salafi callers in creed, who are not Salafi in behavior and methodology. I think that this addition, in a gathering like this one that contains students of knowledge—if Allah wills—does not need proof or establishment, because it is established for you, if Allah wills, is that not so?
The student : Yes.

The Shaykh : All right, but in order to affirm what we all believe first, and then to explain how some adopt this but do not act upon it, and do not even show enthusiasm for it.