A Response to Those Who Claim “The Manhaj of the Salaf Is Outdated”

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Al-Allamah Salih Al-Fawzan, may Allah preserve him, was asked: Question: What do we say to some people who claim that the Methodology of Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaa’ah is not suitable in these times?

Response

The one who holds that the methodology of the pious predecessors is not fit for these times, this one is astray and leading others astray. The methodology of the pious predecessors is the methodology and path Allah has commanded us to follow until the establishment of the Hour. The prophet, peace and blessings of Allah upon him, said:

Indeed whosoever among you lives long will see much differing, so, when upon you is to adhere to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided caliphs after me, hold on to it and bite onto it with your molar teeth. (1)

This was an address to this Ummah until the establishment of the Hour. This demonstrates to us that it is a must to adhere to the methodology of the pious predecessors and that it is suitable for all places and all times.

Allah – The Most High – said:

وَالسَّابِقُونَ الْأَوَّلُونَ مِنَ الْمُهَاجِرِينَ وَالْأَنصَارِ وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَانٍ رَّضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمْ وَرَضُوا عَنْهُ

And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the Muhajir) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him. [t-Tawbah 100]

وَالَّذِينَ اتَّبَعُوهُم بِإِحْسَان

And also those who followed them exactly (in Faith).

This includes the Ummah until the establishment of the Hour, therefore it is incumbent upon the Ummah to follow the Methodology of Muhajirun and the Ansaar.

Imam Malik, may Allah have mercy upon him, said:

“Nothing will rectify the latter part of this Ummah, except that which rectified it’s beginning”

Whoever wants to separate the Ummah from the pious predecessors desires evil for the Muslims. He desires to change Islam, he desires the emergence of bidah and violations. This person should be rejected, his proofs refuted and his evil warned against. It is a must to adhere to the methodology of the pious predecessors – taking them as an example. It’s requires to follow their methodology and that is present in the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger as we have mentioned.

So, whoever desires to disassociate the khalaf (successors) of the Ummah from their Salaf (predecessors), he is a person causing corruption in the lands. It is an obligation to reject his statement and refute his speech, and to warn against him.

The ones who makes this evil statement are known anong the Shia and those who agree with them, those who misguide others. Therefore, they are given no attention.

Al-Muntaqa min Fataawa Al-Fawzan. 1/499-500