By: Ibn-ul-Hassan Muhammadi (Hafizahullah)
One of the distinct honors and attributes of Ahl-e-Hadith is that they adhere to the methodology and understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf). They do not interpret the Quran and Hadith based on their personal intellect and reasoning but rather rely on the understanding of the Salaf, the Companions, and the Imams of the religion. Some people raise superficial objections, claiming that following the understanding of the Salaf amounts to blind imitation (Taqleed), while Ahl-e-Hadith criticize Taqleed. However, if one refers to it as Taqleed in the literal sense, meaning following someone, there is no harm. But adhering to the understanding of the Salaf cannot be considered Taqleed in the technical sense, i.e., the blind following of individuals, which is condemned and forbidden. This is instead following the unanimous and agreed-upon methodology and understanding of the Salaf, which is the path of the believers and is obligatory to follow. This is why adherence to the Salaf is the hallmark of Ahl-e-Hadith.
Any individual or group that does not understand the religious texts according to the understanding of the Companions, the Tabi'in (successors of the Companions), and the Imams of the religion is undoubtedly misguided. Following the Salaf is the true path to guidance, truth, and certainty. This adherence is the foundation that can save the Muslim Ummah from division and discord and can establish a society on sound Islamic beliefs.
◈ Imam Muhammad bin Waddah Al-Qurtubi (199-286 AH) of Andalus said:"Follow the well-known Imams of guidance. One of the predecessors said: Many actions are common among people today, but they were regarded as evil by the Salaf. Many actions are beloved by people today, but they were detested by the Salaf. Many actions today bring people closer to Allah, but they were causes of distance from Allah for the Salaf. Every innovation (bid'ah) appears to be beautiful and delightful."
[Al-Bida' wal-Nahi 'Anha, p. 89]
◈ Qadi Sharik bin Abdullah (177 AH) said:"As for us, we took our religion from the Tabi'in, who took it from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ). So from whom did they take it?"
[Kitab al-Asma' wa al-Sifat by Al-Bayhaqi, 949, and its chain is authentic]
◈ Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (661-728 AH) explained the necessity of adopting the understanding of the Salaf in the following way:"Whoever contemplates the statements of the well-known Imams of the Sunnah in this regard will find that they had the deepest insight and the greatest knowledge in this matter. Their statements conform to the transmitted texts (naqli) and sound reasoning (aqli). Therefore, their views are harmonious, not contradictory, and consistent, not conflicting. Those who opposed them did not truly understand the statements of the Salaf and the Imams, nor did they understand the reality of the transmitted and rational proofs. Consequently, they deviated and ended up in dispute over the Book (Quran), opposing the Book, as Allah (SWT) said: ‘And those who differ over the Book are in deep discord.’
[Al-Baqarah: 176]
[Dar' Ta'arud al-'Aql wal-Naql, 2/301]
✿ In the Quran, following the understanding of the Salaf is commanded. Allah (SWT) says:“O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you.”
[An-Nisa: 59]
The primary example of “those in authority” refers to the Companions, the Tabi'in, and the Imams of the Hadith. This means that obedience to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) should be in accordance with the understanding of the Companions, the Tabi'in, and the Imams of Hadith.
✿ Allah (SWT) also says:“If they believe as you have believed, then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension.”
[Al-Baqarah: 137]
✿ Furthermore, Allah says:“And the first forerunners among the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and those who followed them with righteousness, Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”
[At-Tawbah: 100]
This indicates that Allah’s pleasure is not only for the Muhajirun and Ansar (the Companions) but also for those who follow their example.
The correct way to follow the Companions is to follow their understanding and judgment, as demonstrated by Ibn Abbas (RA) in his debate with the Khawarij, where he used the understanding of the Companions as evidence.
◈ Ibn Abbas (RA) said:"I have come to you from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), the Muhajirun and the Ansar, to inform you of what they say. They are those who received the Quran and know it better than you."
[Mustadrak al-Hakim, 1/150, Hadith: 2656, graded Sahih by Imam Al-Hakim, and its chain is Hasan]
Following the understanding of the Salaf is necessary to free the Ummah from ignorance, misguidance, and blind adherence (taqleed). Just as the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah regards the Quran and Sunnah as the standard of truth, every faction of the Ummah has unanimously agreed to understand the Quran and Sunnah in light of the Salaf’s understanding. This is an ijma (consensus) of the Ummah, but only Ahl-e-Hadith truly adhere to this understanding in its correct sense.
In the following sections, we will discuss the views of some Hanafi scholars who emphasize the importance of following the understanding of the Salaf and the condemnation of Taqleed.
Further discussion of Hanafi scholars' views and their importance on adhering to the understanding of the Salaf has been detailed.
One of the distinct honors and attributes of Ahl-e-Hadith is that they adhere to the methodology and understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf). They do not interpret the Quran and Hadith based on their personal intellect and reasoning but rather rely on the understanding of the Salaf, the Companions, and the Imams of the religion. Some people raise superficial objections, claiming that following the understanding of the Salaf amounts to blind imitation (Taqleed), while Ahl-e-Hadith criticize Taqleed. However, if one refers to it as Taqleed in the literal sense, meaning following someone, there is no harm. But adhering to the understanding of the Salaf cannot be considered Taqleed in the technical sense, i.e., the blind following of individuals, which is condemned and forbidden. This is instead following the unanimous and agreed-upon methodology and understanding of the Salaf, which is the path of the believers and is obligatory to follow. This is why adherence to the Salaf is the hallmark of Ahl-e-Hadith.
Any individual or group that does not understand the religious texts according to the understanding of the Companions, the Tabi'in (successors of the Companions), and the Imams of the religion is undoubtedly misguided. Following the Salaf is the true path to guidance, truth, and certainty. This adherence is the foundation that can save the Muslim Ummah from division and discord and can establish a society on sound Islamic beliefs.
◈ Imam Muhammad bin Waddah Al-Qurtubi (199-286 AH) of Andalus said:"Follow the well-known Imams of guidance. One of the predecessors said: Many actions are common among people today, but they were regarded as evil by the Salaf. Many actions are beloved by people today, but they were detested by the Salaf. Many actions today bring people closer to Allah, but they were causes of distance from Allah for the Salaf. Every innovation (bid'ah) appears to be beautiful and delightful."
[Al-Bida' wal-Nahi 'Anha, p. 89]
◈ Qadi Sharik bin Abdullah (177 AH) said:"As for us, we took our religion from the Tabi'in, who took it from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ). So from whom did they take it?"
[Kitab al-Asma' wa al-Sifat by Al-Bayhaqi, 949, and its chain is authentic]
◈ Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah (661-728 AH) explained the necessity of adopting the understanding of the Salaf in the following way:"Whoever contemplates the statements of the well-known Imams of the Sunnah in this regard will find that they had the deepest insight and the greatest knowledge in this matter. Their statements conform to the transmitted texts (naqli) and sound reasoning (aqli). Therefore, their views are harmonious, not contradictory, and consistent, not conflicting. Those who opposed them did not truly understand the statements of the Salaf and the Imams, nor did they understand the reality of the transmitted and rational proofs. Consequently, they deviated and ended up in dispute over the Book (Quran), opposing the Book, as Allah (SWT) said: ‘And those who differ over the Book are in deep discord.’
[Al-Baqarah: 176]
[Dar' Ta'arud al-'Aql wal-Naql, 2/301]
✿ In the Quran, following the understanding of the Salaf is commanded. Allah (SWT) says:“O you who believe! Obey Allah, obey the Messenger, and those in authority among you.”
[An-Nisa: 59]
The primary example of “those in authority” refers to the Companions, the Tabi'in, and the Imams of the Hadith. This means that obedience to Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) should be in accordance with the understanding of the Companions, the Tabi'in, and the Imams of Hadith.
✿ Allah (SWT) also says:“If they believe as you have believed, then they are rightly guided; but if they turn away, they are only in dissension.”
[Al-Baqarah: 137]
✿ Furthermore, Allah says:“And the first forerunners among the Muhajirun and the Ansar, and those who followed them with righteousness, Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him.”
[At-Tawbah: 100]
This indicates that Allah’s pleasure is not only for the Muhajirun and Ansar (the Companions) but also for those who follow their example.
The correct way to follow the Companions is to follow their understanding and judgment, as demonstrated by Ibn Abbas (RA) in his debate with the Khawarij, where he used the understanding of the Companions as evidence.
◈ Ibn Abbas (RA) said:"I have come to you from the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ), the Muhajirun and the Ansar, to inform you of what they say. They are those who received the Quran and know it better than you."
[Mustadrak al-Hakim, 1/150, Hadith: 2656, graded Sahih by Imam Al-Hakim, and its chain is Hasan]
Following the understanding of the Salaf is necessary to free the Ummah from ignorance, misguidance, and blind adherence (taqleed). Just as the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jama'ah regards the Quran and Sunnah as the standard of truth, every faction of the Ummah has unanimously agreed to understand the Quran and Sunnah in light of the Salaf’s understanding. This is an ijma (consensus) of the Ummah, but only Ahl-e-Hadith truly adhere to this understanding in its correct sense.
In the following sections, we will discuss the views of some Hanafi scholars who emphasize the importance of following the understanding of the Salaf and the condemnation of Taqleed.
Further discussion of Hanafi scholars' views and their importance on adhering to the understanding of the Salaf has been detailed.