What aretheSharee'ahprinciples that aMuslimshouldfollowinorder tokeeponeself committedandsteadfast

on the way of the Salaf as-Saleh (the righteous predecessors) and avoid deviation and misguidance fromit and
frombeingeffectedbyerroneousways?
ReplybyShaikhSalihibnFawzanal-Fawzan, Inbrief,
1. One should refer to the people of knowledge and Baseerah (clear understanding), learn fromthemand consult them
about what comes totheir minds andgiveprecedencetotheir (i.e., thescholars') opinioninit.
2. Todeliberate concerningissues andnot hasteninthem, andavoidhaste inissuingrulings concerningthe people, Allah
says, "Oyouwhobelieve! If a rebellious evil personcomes toyouwitha news, verifyit, lest youharmpeople inignorance,
andafterwards youbecomeregretful towhat youhavedone." [Soorahal-Hujurat (49): 6]

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salaf
How do we keep
steadfast
upon the
way of the
?
Salaf: The first three generations of Muslims;
i.e., the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet),
Tabi'oon (successors of the Sahabah) and
Taba at-Tabi'oon (successors of the Tabi'oon)
in accordance with the hadeeth of the Messenger
which is reported in Saheeh al-Bukharee,
The best of generations is my generation, then those
who follow them, then those who follow them and
then there will come a people in whomthere will be no
good."
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By Shaikh Salih ibn Fawzan al-Fawzan
Translated by Shawana A. Aziz
.._,.,.._..,...as,.,
,.,_._,.._.
Article No. 01
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"...Verify(the truth), andsaynot toanyone whogreets you(byembracingIslam), 'Youare not a believer' - seeking
the perishable goods of the worldly life. There are much more profits and booties with Allah. Even as he is now, so were
you yourselves before till Allah conferred on you His Favors (i.e. guided you to Islam), therefore, be cautious in
discrimination. Allahis Ever Well-Awareof what youdo.' [Soorahan-Nisa(4): 94]
'becautious' means verifywhat reaches you.
3. Thenif what has reachedyouis verifiedandestablished, thenit is tobe treatedina manner that will rectify andreform
and not in a manner that is violent or complicated. Allah's Messenger said, "Give good tidings to the (people) and make
things easy(for them), teach(them), anddonot repel (them)." [SaheehMuslim(4960)]
In all circumstances, issues are to be treated with wisdom, deliberation and patience, and it is not suitable for
everypersontoplungeintosubjects inwhichhehas noauthorityor expertise.
4. Similarly, it is from the principles that one equips himself with the beneficial knowledge through attending the
gatherings of the people of knowledge andpayingattentiontotheir opinions, andreadingthe books of the Salaf as-Saleh
andbiographies of thereformers fromtheSalaf of this Ummahandits scholars
Howtheysolvedissues, exhortedandadmonished?
Howtheyusedtoenjoinedthegoodandforbadetheevil?
andtheir manner of givingrulings concerningissues.
All this has been recorded in biographies and past narratives of what occurred in the lives of reformers, "Indeed in their
stories, thereis alessonfor menof understanding." [SoorahYusuf (12): 111]
AMuslimshouldstudythebiographies of theSalaf as-Saleh, their circumstanceandtheir wayof dealingwithissues, until
he follows their foot-steps, and should not pay heed to those who are hasty and ignorant, who agitate people without
proper understanding.
Many booklets, lectures and articles are published these days by the ignorant about issues of the Sharee'ah; they incite
people, order the people with that which neither Allah nor His Messenger has ordered - (they may do this) with good
intentions, but examples are not set by good intention(alone), rather anexample is takenfromthat whichis correct. And
the truth is what agrees with the Qur'aan and the Sunnah in accordance with the understanding of the Salaf. And the
people are, as the Messenger said that they commit mistakes, and they sin, so the correct is taken and the wrong is
abandoned. [MuntaqaFatawaShaikhSalihibnFawzanal-Fawzan(q. 465, p. 455)]
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Articles in this series:
Article No. 01: How do we keep steadfast upon the way of the Salaf?
Article No. 02: The essential relationship between the youth and the scholars of Islam.
Article No. 03: Enjoining the good and Forbidding the Evil: Significance, Manner and Approach
Article No. 04: The Prohibition of engaging in Dawah without Knowledge
Article No. 05: Is Ignorance an excuse in matters of Aqeedah (beliefs)?
These articles can also be downloaded from our website www.qsep.com
Page no. 2 Published by www.qsep.com Quran Sunnah Educational Programs