So far the evidence that has been presented are from "Salafi" minded sources. e.g. The Q/A from the Fatwa Website (all imams are reknown "Salafi" Scholars), Syan TV as posted on the YouTube clip, etc. No doubt the post the sister has asked to be fired up will be inclined to a similar bias as well.
So if a person do not view themselves as being "Salafi" minded, are they then automatically pidgeon-holed as being a "Sufi" and tarred with the general stereoptype as posted in the brother's video?
I don't class myself as being a "Sufi" or "Salafi" just a Muslim trying to better himself but the bias on here is blinkered. At the very least, as Muslims, we must learn to disagree on matters where our view's don't meet.
Assalamou Aalaikoum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh
I would advise you to listen to this audio and think about it's meaning.
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Allah subahanahu wa ta'ala uses the term Salaf in the noble Quran as He subhanahu wa ta'ala says in Surah Az-Zukhruf:
The second word is the arabic word Salaf in it's plural form.
And We made them a precedent and an example for the later peoples.
Following the way of the Salaf is the way which has been legislated in the Quran and Sunnah, the very sources of Islam. The Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) said to his daughter Fatimah: "Indeed, I am for you a blessed Salaf."
When asked about which was the correct and acceptable way of understanding Islam, the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him peace) replied by saying: "That which I and my companions are upon."
Similarly, Allah says in the Quran that He is pleased with the companions "and also those who follow them exactly (in faith)."
As such, He said regarding the Prophet (may Allah raise his rank and grant him security) and his companions:
"So if they believe as you (i.e. the Salaf) believe, they are indeed rightly guided."
All of the orthodox scholars of Islam followed the way of the Salaf in understanding religion. Early scholars such as Imam al-Awzaa'ee, who died 157 years after the Prophet's emigration to Medina, said: "Be patient upon the Sunnah, and stop where the people (i.e. the Salaf) stopped, and say what they said, and refrain from what they refrained from, and follow the path of your righteous Salaf; for verily, sufficient for you is what was sufficient for them."
Today, one of the famous Sunni schools of jurisprudence is named after a scholar named Abu Haneefah. Millions of Muslims all over the world ascribe themselves to his school of jurisprudence; those who the media would term "mainstream" Muslims. Regarding adherence to the Salafi methodology, he said, "Adhere to the narrations and way of the Salaf, and beware of newly invented matters (in religion), for all of it is innovation."
The orthodox scholars who came after these early generations also followed the understanding of the Salaf in religious matters. Imam ath-Thahabi said: "It is authentically related from ad-Daraqutni (a scholar from approximately 1,000 years ago) that he said: There is nothing more despised by me than 'ilmul-kalaam (innovated speech and rhetoric). I (adh-Thahabee) say: The man never entered into ’ilmul-kalaam, nor did he enter into argumentation (i.e. philosophy), he did not delve into that. Rather, he was Salafee (a follower of the Salaf)."