Salafism or Salafīyyah (Arabic: سلفي‎ "predecessors" or "early generations") is an puritanical fundamentalist movement within Islam. "Salafi" is an umbrella term for adherents of a particular form of Islamic revivalism who vary amongst themselves as to its definition, but share a rejection of contemporary Islamic teachings in favor of a return to the Salaf, as Islam was practiced during the first three generations of Muslims.

Salafi Muslims are often grouped together with Wahhabi Muslims, although the two movements began independently and originally held opposing views. Wahhabism rejected modern influences, while Salafism sought to reconcile Islam with modernism.<ref name="origin">Trevor Stanley, Understanding the Origins of Wahhabism and Salafism, Terrorism Monitor</ref> Use of the word "Salafi" can be very confusing, as the term has been used by several competing Islamic groups that are known by other names. It can be used to describe a general veneration of early Muslims, or it can be used as another name for political Islamism.<ref name="eoo">Salafism, Encyclopaedia of the Orient</ref> When Salafism is used as an actual name, it is of the modernist reorientation of Islam as defined by the Egyptian Mufti, Muhammad Abduh, early in the 20th century.<ref name="eoo" /> There is now intense competition between groups and individual scholars over the 'true' Salafism.

Salafis idealize an uncorrupted bygone religious community that declined due to foreign innovations (bid‘ah). They seek an Islamic revival through the purging of these influences and the emulation of the early generations. Particular emphasis is given to monotheism (tawhid), condemning many traditional practices as polytheism (shirk), and encouraging struggle (jihad) of varying degrees.<ref name="origin" /> The sources of Salafism are said to be the Qur'an and the sunnah.<ref>GlobalSecurity.org Salafi Islam</ref>

1 Etymology
2 Contemporary Salafism
3 Beliefs and practices
4 Notable modern Salafi Scholars
5 See also
6 Notes
7 References

[edit] Etymology

The word "Salaf" is short for "Salaf aṣ-Ṣāliḥ" (Arabic: السلف الصالح‎), meaning "(righteous) predecessors" or "(pious) ancestors."<ref name="origin" /> In Islamic terminology, it is generally used to refer to the first three generations of Muslims: the Sahabah, the Tabi‘in and the Taba‘ at-Tabi‘in. These three generations are looked upon as examples of how Islam should be practiced. This principle is derived from the following hadith by Muhammad:

The people of my generation are the best, then those who follow them, and then whose who follow the latter (i.e. the first three generations of Muslims).<ref>Bukhari 3:48:819 and 820 [1] and Muslim 31:6150 and 6151 [2].</ref>

[edit] Contemporary Salafism

The modern movement began in the mid 19th century among intellectuals at al-Azhar University, the preeminent center of Islamic learning, located in Cairo. Legal scholar L. Ali Khan describes this movement as the Second Era of Ijtihad (1875-present). Prominent among them were Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1839-1897) and Rashid Rida (1865-1935). These early reformers recognized the need for an Islamic revival, noticing the changing fortunes in the Islamic world following the Enlightenment in Europe, which they admired.<ref name="origin" /> Al-Afghani was a political activist, whereas Abduh, an educator, sought gradual social reform. Debate continues today over the appropriate method of reform, ranging from violent political Islamism to less politicized evangelism.

The Saudi Arabian government once described itself as Wahhabi, but now claims to follow the Salafi understanding of Islam, which it claims began in Saudi Arabia in the early 19th century.<ref name="Ali al-Ahmed">PBS Frontline, Interview with Ali al-Ahmed [3]</ref> Al-Qaeda, a group opposed to the Saudi government, as well as the Muslim Brotherhood also claim to follow the Salafi movement.<ref name="Mamoun Fandy">PBS Frontline, interview with Dr. Mamoun Fandy [4]</ref> Despite some similarities, the different modern groups that claim to be part of Salafism often strongly disapprove of each other and deny their Salafi character.

[edit] Beliefs and practices

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Salafis preach a purified Islamic monotheism that strictly prohibits polytheism (shirk). Salafis believe that widespread Muslim practices such as venerating the graves of Islamic prophets and saints are shirk. Photographs of any living being that possesses a soul are forbidden. Celebration of Muhammad's birthday (Mawlid) is also considered as bid`a.<ref>[5]</ref> Salafis in general are opposed to both Sufi and Shi`a doctrines, which they regard as deviations.

Salafis place great emphasis on ritual not only in prayer but in every activity in life -- three fingers should always be used when eating, water is to be drunk in three pauses with the right hand while sitting <ref>Six Points of Tabligh, Its chapter on `Desired Manners of Eating and Drinking`, includes 26 norms on the etiquette of eating and drinking. From: Globalized Islam : the Search for a New Ummah, by Olivier Roy, Columbia University Press, 2004</ref> -- so as to follow the example of Muhammad and his companions and make religion part of every activity in life.

Salafism differs from the earlier contemporary Islamic revival movements of Islamism of the 1970s and 1980s, in that (at least many) Salafis reject not only Western ideologies such as socialism and capitalism, but also common Western concepts like economics, constitutions, political parties, revolution and social justice. Muslims should not engage in Western activities like politics, "even by giving them an Islamic slant." <ref>Globalized Islam : the Search for a New Ummah, by Olivier Roy, Columbia University Press, 2004 (p.245)</ref> Instead, Muslims should stick to Islamic activities, particularly dawah and jihad. Salafis promote sharia rather than an Islamic political program or state.

Salafis reject dogmatic theology (kalam). They consider this to be based on classical Greek philosophy (Plato and Aristotle) and an import foreign to the original practice of Islam.

Salafis are divided on the question of adherence to the four recognized schools of traditional legal interpretation (madhhabs).

Some Salafis wish to base their jurisprudence directly on the Qu'ran and Sunnah. They believe that literal readings of the Qur'an and the hadith (or oral traditions) are sufficient guidance for the believing Muslim. One scholar who supported this position was Albaanee.
Some Salafis follow the teachings of the 14th century Syrian scholar Ibn Taymiya, and his students Ibn al-Qayyim and Ibn Kathir.
Some Salafis rely on the jurisprudence of one of the four famous madhabs. For example, Ibn Taymiya followed the Hanbali madhhab. Some of his students (such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Dhahabi) followed the Shafi madhhab. Other students (such as Ibn Abu al-Iz) follow the Hanafi madhhab.

Because Salafis see themselves as practicing "pure" Islam, Salafi teachers and adherents will not necessarily identify themselves as Salafi. They can be identified as part of a particular current of contemporary Islam by their characteristic beliefs, by their use of terms like "the Salaf" or "Qur'an and sunnah." They also tend to use a more rigorous style of transliteration of Arabic into English: long vowels are indicated by doubling, emphatic consonants are doubled, and words that end with a ta marbuta in Arabic are rendered with a terminal h.

[edit] Notable modern Salafi Scholars

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[edit] Saudi Arabia

Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703 C.E. - 1792 C.E.)

Advocate of a return to a puritanical view of Islamic theology
Author of Kitab at-Tawheed (Book on Islamic Monotheism) that explains Islamic Monotheism and those things that contradict it

Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz (1909 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)

Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia

Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen (1925 C.E. - 2001 C.E.)

Scholar of fiqh and authored over fifty books on the subject
Wrote an explanation of ibn Taymiyyah's al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah and al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah

[edit] Yemen

[edit] Albania

Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (1914 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)

Resided primarily in Syria and Jordan
Specialized in the science of hadith
Commented on authenticity of the hadiths in the books of Sunan, including Sunan Abu Dawood, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, and Sunan ibn Majah

[edit] See also

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

Indonesia Backgrounder: Why Salafism and Terrorism Mostly Don't Mix
Understanding the Origins of Wahhabism and Salafism, Terrorism Monitor
Salafism, article by Encyclopedia of the Orient.
Salafi Islam, GlobalSecurity.org
PBS Frontline, interview with Dr. Mamoun Fandy, discusses the Salafist ideology. Oct. 18, 2004
PBS Frontline, interview with Ali al-Ahmed, executive director of the Saudi Institute, describes the conservative religious education of children in Saudi Arabia. Nov. 9, 2001
PBS Frontline, The Salafist Movement by Bruce Livesey.ar:سلفية