fataawaa's video: Ibn Uthaym n about blameworthy and praiseworthy Salafiyyah

Scholar: Imâm Muhammad bin Sâlih bin ´Uthaymîn Source: Liqâ' al-Bâb al-Maftûh (57 A) and (57 B) Reference: Darulhadith.com Translation & video: http://aFatwa.com Question: We want to know what Salafiyyah is. Is it allowed for us to subscribe to it? Can we condemn the one who does not subscribe to it or condemns the word "Salafî" and the like? Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymîn: Salafiyyah means to follow the methodology of the prophet (sallâ Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam) and his companions. They are the predecessors who lived before us. To follow them is considered to be Salafiyyah. As for adopting Salafiyyah as a specific methodology that one differentiates oneself from others and declare other Muslims to be misled if they were to be guided and make it into a sect-like methodology, then that is against Salafiyyah. All of the Salaf called to Islâm and unity around the Sunnah of Allâh's messenger (sallâ Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam). They did not declare the dissidents as misguided due to a misunderstanding as long as it was not about the creed. However, they considered the person of a different creed as misguided. As for the practical things then they are much easy on it. Some people who follow Salafiyyah today consider that all dissidents are deviant even if the dissident is right. Some of them have made it into a sect-like methodology just as all other sects who subscribe to Islâm. This is what is condemned and can not be accepted. Look at Salaf! How did they act in accordance with their methodology and how tolerant were they when it came to disagreements in which it is allowed to make Ijtihâd? They disagreed on great matters, both creed-related and practical matters. Some of them denied that the messenger (sallâ Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam) saw his Lord while others confirmed it. Some of them said that it is the deeds that are weighed on the Judgement day, whilst others held that it is the doer that is weighed whilst some considered that it is the records that are weighed. They likewise often disagreed in the Fiqh-issues such as marriage, inheritance, waiting-periods, Buyû' (sales) and other than that. Even so, they did not declare each other astray. Salafiyyah as a specific sect that has its unique features and declares others astray has nothing to do with Salafiyyah. Salafiyyah means to follow the methodology of the Salaf in creed, speech, deeds, unity, agreement, mercy and love. The prophet (sallâ Allâhu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: "The example of the Believers in their mutual love, mercy, and attachment, is the example of a single body." (agreed upon) Or he said: "The example of the Believers in their mutual love, mercy, and attachment, is the example of a single body: when one part of it suffers pain then the rest of the body is affected by fever and sleeplessness." (agreed upon)