The Methodology of the Salaf us-Saalih and the Ummah’s Need for It, by Shaikh Fawzaan

[Maher.ibn.Ahmad.Attiyeh]

Bismillaah Al-Hamdulillaah wa salatu wa salaamu 'ala rasulullaah
Amma-ba'd

The Methodology of the Salaf us-Saalih and the Ummah’s Need for It, by Shaikh Fawzaan: http://www.mpubs.org/files/SAFW_EB_20140221_methodology_of_the_salaf.pdf


Excerpt: Consequently, nothing can save one from deviation in this life - nor from the Fire in the next life - except adhering to this path, the path of the Salaf us-Saalih. They are those whom Allaah said concerning them:

And whoso obeys Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), then they will be in the company of those on whom Allaah has bestowed His Grace, of the Prophets, the Siddiqeen (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! Such is the Bounty from Allaah, and Allaah is Sufficient as All-Knower. (An-Nisa`: 69-70)

It is because of this (that) Allaah made it mandatory that we recite Soorah al-Faatihah in every unit of prayer, whether this prayer is mandatory or optional. There is a tremendous supplication towards the end of the Soorah:

Guide us to the Straight Path. (Al-Faatihah, ayah 5)

It is The Straight Path because, indeed, there are other paths which are deviant and deceiving. Thus, the person asks Allaah to protect him from these (deviant) paths, and he asks that he be guided to The Straight Path. This means that one requests to be guided to The Straight Path and that he remains firm upon it. He makes this supplication in every unit of prayer because of its extreme importance.

Notice its meaning - The Straight Path.

Who are those who traverse upon The Straight Path?

They are those whom Allaah has blessed.

The Path of those whom You have blessed. (Al-Faatihah, ayah 6)

Who are those whom Allaah has blessed?

...of the Prophets, the Siddiqeen (those followers of the Prophets who were first and foremost to believe in them, like Abu Bakr As-Siddiq), the martyrs, and the righteous. And how excellent these companions are! (An-Nisa`, ayah 69)

If you asked Allaah to guide you to this path, this indicates that you have requested to be protected from the deviant paths and those who have gone astray...