Sheikh Muhammad ‘Amaan Ibn ‘Alee al-Jaamee, may Allaah have mercy upon him, said,
‘The term as-Salaf began to be used increasingly when disputes and controversies erupted regarding the fundamental principles of the religion from those sects involved in rhetoric and misguiding intellectual speculation, such that all the various sects tried to generally claim that their own beliefs were those of the first generations.
They would announce that whatever belief and way they stood upon was the same as the righteous predecessors were upon! For this reason, it was required to make matters apparent, and that is our current situation today, making clear the established foundations, and clear affirmed distinguishing principles of the actual Salafee way. To prevent any confusion and uncertainty as to its reality by anyone who sincerely strives to connect themselves to this generation of the first Muslims, those struggling to follow and pattern themselves upon their way and model.’
(From As-Sifaat al-Ilaaheyaah, pg. 57-60) 1
| From ’30 Days of Guidance: Learning Fundamental Principles of Islaam’ |