Questioner:

Should we start our call by freeing ourselves from Dā`ish, or by calling to Salafism as a whole and explaining it?

Shaykh Sulaymān ibn Abdīllah Abul-Khayl:

The answer to this question is – start by calling to Tawhīd and exclusive devotion to Allāh as we have established during the lecture, because starting with that is acting in accordance with the Sunnah of the Messengers, the disciples of the Messenger of Allāh, and the rightly guided Imāms till this present day, for their work and the core of their concern is Tawhīd and connecting people to Allāh – and strengthening their link with Him.

This is because for anyone who is able to achieve this and establish it, other matters, such as warning against evil and these sectarian organisations, parties and groups that have risen against us in recent times, will be easy. As for Salafiyyah, it means the followers of the Pious Predecessors (as-Salaf us-Ṣāliḥ) – the disciples and those who followed them until the present day and until the Day of Rising as well. This is because the Prophet ﷺ said: ‘There will always be a group amongst my nation victorious following the truth, unharmed by those who oppose them until the Hour comes.’ It was asked, ‘who are they?’ He said, ‘They are those whose belief is what I believe and what my disciples believe.’ For this reason, anyone who comes to us claiming Salafism or adherence to this methodology, while having connections with sectarian parties and institutions or engages in acts that oppose this way and methodology, will not be considered as one who follows the methodology of Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamā`ah and the Pious Predecessors. Anyone who traces the path, state of affairs, and history of the Pious Predecessors, will find that which brings peace of mind and joy to the heart, and boosts optimism and charity that serves this religion and belief.

Sheikh ul-Islām, Ibn Taymiyyah says: ‘Ahl us-Sunnah wal-Jamā`ah, who are the Salaf us-Ṣāliḥ, follow the truth and show mercy to Aḷḷāh’s creatures.’ Salafism is not a mere statement to be uttered, banner to be raised or an aspect of materialism over which people compete with one another and criticise one another. Rather, it is a flawless path, an upstanding methodology and conformity to what came from the Head of all messengers and Allāh’s Commandments in His Lucid Book.