Beneficial Knowledge

Purification through Tawheed Mankind’s Greatest Need January 17, 2014 Source: Al-Ibanah Magazine Issue No.2 – Rabî’ul-Awwal 1416H / August 1995 In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy Introduction Ibn Abil-’Izz (d.792H) – rahimahallâh – said: “Knowledge of Usûlud-Dîn (the fundamentals of the Dîn ) is the most noble branch of knowledge, since the excellence of a certain type of knowledge depends upon what it is concerned with, and this is the greater Fiqh (understanding), which is why Imâm Abû Hanîfah (d. 150H) – rahmatullâhi ’alayhi – called that which he compiled concerning Usûl ud-Dîn : “al-Fiqhul-Akbar.” (the Greatest Fiqh ). The need of the servants for this knowledge is greater than every other need; and it is the most necessary of all things for them, since there is no life for the hearts, nor any delight, nor any tranquility, except through knowing their Lord, the One to be worshippe

What or Who is Salaf? The Permanent Committee (for Research and Verdicts) was asked: “What is Salafiyyah, and what is your opinion concerning it?” So they replied: “Salafiyyah is an ascription to the Salaf. The word ‘Salaf’ refers to the Companions of Allaah’s Messenger ( sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) and the Imaams of guidance from the first three generations of whom the Messenger of Allaah ( sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam ) testified for as to their superiority when he said: ‘The best of mankind is my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them. Then there will come a people who will bear witness before taking an oath, and take an oath before bearing witness.’ [Reported by Imaam Ahmad in his Musnad, Al-Bukharee and Muslim] The word Salafiyoon is the plural of Salafee, and it is an ascription to the Salaf. The meaning of the word Salaf has already been mentioned. Furthermore, it also refers to those who follow the methodology of the Salaf