Follow the Qur'an and Sunnah with the understanding of the Prophet Muhammad-(S.A.W), his companions(Sahaba-r.a) and the Salaf us-Saliah (Pious predecessors). As Muslims, we are obliged to believe and understand our religion in a manner that Allah wants us to. The way to achieve this is mentioned in the Qur'aan. Allah says,
"And if they believe as you (i.e., the Sahabah) believe then they are rig
htly guided, but if they turn away, then they are only in opposition." [Soorah al-Baqarah (2): 137]
In light of this verse, the correct understanding is what emulates the beliefs and understandings of the Sahabah (the Prophet's Companions). The word salafi or "early Muslim" in traditional Islamic scholarship means someone who died within the first four hundred years after the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace), including scholars such as Abu Hanifa, Malik, Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal. Anyone who died after this is one of the khalaf or "latter-day Muslims". 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]
From this hadeeth we understand that the first three generations are from the best of all people. They are the torchbearers of guidance, the most trust worthy people of following. They are the bedrock of scholarship for all those who truly desire to follow the traditional understanding of Islam as taught by the Prophet, sal Allahu ‘alayhi wasallam.
