Debunking the Ridiculous “Salafī-`Aqīdah” Myth

Allah states:

“And never let your hatred, against any People, prevent you from behaving justly.”

(Noble-Qur’ān: Chpt.5, V.8)

Muhammad (Peace be upon them) stated:

“Always speak Truth, even if it’s bitter (even if it rubs People the Wrong-Way).”

(ibn-Hibbān&al-Bayhaqī)

Author’s-Note:

This-Article is a Response to Discussions which Gareth Bryant & Tālib Nathaniel have had, regarding our Respectful Religio-Academic Rivalry. As well, it’s a Response to an Article Tālib Nathaniel disclosed to me (which I deem the Article to be Academically-Untruthful/Dishonest & Academically-Irresponsible).

The difference between the Salafi and Hanbali creed

“Salafī-`Aqīdah”…#NiggaWhat?!!!

This-Concept/Term “Salafī-`Aqīdah/Theology” is something which I’ve heard about, been told about, been lied to about, etc. for a Long-Time…literally for Decades. “Salafī-`Aqīdah” is a Blatant Mythos/Pseudo-Narrative: it’s just as Fake as Fake-Jordans. The Siblings of the Pen (Gareth Bryant [Atharī Corleone] & Tālib Nathaniel [Ash`arī Tommasino]) have literally debated the “Salafī-`Aqīdah” Myth for quite sometime, as with many other Theological-Subjects we’ve consistently discussed respectfully, truthfully, honestly, brotherly, friendly, etc. This Particular-Subject though…I absolutely must unpack, because, it’s greatly misleading to presume/assume that the Salafīs operate via their own Theological-Matrix. That’s simply 💯%-Untruth/Dishonesty. Albeit it’s a Solid/Confirmed-Fact, that Salafīs theologically-freestyle…still that doesn’t translate to “Salafī-`Aqīdah”.

How the Siblings of the Pen began even debating this

It began when Tālib Nathaniel intro duced the Fact that the 1st Known-Muslim to theologically suggest to place a Numerical-Cap on a Particular-Sifah/Feature of Allah: the Eyes-Of-Allah. Now, the Theological-Posture/Opinion itself stems from Sifāt/Descriptions of al-Masīh-id-Dajjāl/the Anti-Christ being 1-Eyed (meaning only capable/able to see via 1 out their 2-Eyes) & Muhammad (Peace be upon them) detailing that Allah isn’t “1-Eyed”. Tālib Nathaniel immediately played on this & began to pontificate/claim that this is how “Salafī-`Aqīdah” was incepted/invented.

OK…so who came-up with such a Theological-Posture/Opinion?!!!

The 1st Known-Muslim to have such a Theological-Posture (at least publicly that is) was a Well-Known/Renown Muhaddith/Narration-Expert: `Abdullah ibn `Abd-ir-Rahmān ad-Dārimī. So, Tālib Nathaniel considered ad-Dārimī to be the “Theological-Progenitor/Founder” of “Salafī-`Aqīdah”. But, not exclusively ad-Dārimī: Tālib Nathaniel considers literally anoyone/everyone classified as a Renegade/Prodigal-Atharī (via the Theological-Criticisms of `Abd-ir-Rahmān ibn-`Alī ibn-Muhammad ibn-il-Jawzī) to have “contributed” to the Formation of “Salafī-`Aqīdah”. In fact, Tālib Nathaniel constructed a “Salafī-`Aqīdah” Sanad/Chain: Several-Individuals going all the Way back to ad-Dārimī, whom Salafīs academically/scholastically claim, whom all stand by the Posture/Opinion that Allah is exclusively “2-Eyed”.

The Reasons how/why Salafīs are accused of having “Salafī-`Aqīdah” in the 1st-Place

Salafīs are accused of breaking far away from the Integrity of Atharism (AKA Atharī-`Aqīdah). Specifically, Salafīs are accused of misinterpreting the Sifāt/Features of Allah. For example:

The Face-Of-Allah

Salafīs are accused of claiming that the Face-Of-Allah is akin to al-Makhlūq/Creation.

The Eyes-Of-Allah

Salafīs are accused of claiming that the Eyes-Of-Allah are akin to al-Makhlūq.

The Shins-Of-Allah

Salafīs are accused of claiming that the Shins-Of-Allah are akin to al-Makhlūq.

The Feet-Of-Allah

Salafīs are accused of claiming that the Feet-Of-Allah are akin to al-Makhlūq.

This is the Accusation made via Team-Ash`arī against Team-Salafī. As well, Team-Ash`arī accuses Team-Salafī of not being True-Atharīs theologically. Furthermore, Team-Atharī accuses Team-Salafī also of straying from Atharī-`Aqīdah.

How to avoid being placed in the “Wahhābī” Box

So, what’s “Atharī-`Aqīdah” anyway?!!!

Good-Question…

…Answer:

at-Tafwīdh/Neutrality vs. at-Ta’wīl/Interpretation concerning the Sifāt/Qualities-Of-Allah

How/why are Salafīs accused of having a “Salafī-`Aqīdah?!!!

The Main-Culprits whom pontificate/claim that Salafīs have a “Salafī-`Aqīdah” are the Ash`arī-Niggas. Team-Ash`arī also attempts to accuse Salafī-Niggas & Atharī-Niggas to be 2-Sides of the Same-Coin. This in turn, is the Reason how/why Team-Atharī & Team-Salafī have always had a Complex/Complicated-Relationship with each other.

Hypocritical-Hizbīs

Romance of the 3-`Aqīdahs

al-`Aqā’id (Theologies) in the Era of al-Khilāfah (Islāmic-Governance)

Let’s get into what Salafism actually is vs. what Salafism isn’t

as-Salafiyyah/Salafism has been accused of being an `Aqīdah, a Madhab/Fiqh-School, a Government, etc. And, it’s literally neither of Those-Things. as-Salafiyyah is a Minhāj (Philosophy/Ideology), predicated upon the Yearning/Necessity to adhere to the Islāmic-Practices of a 3-Prong Demographic known as as-Salaf-us-Sālih/Righteous-Ancestors.

This Demographic consists of:

1. as-Sahābah/the Compainons (the Original-Followers of Muhammad [Peace be upon them]) whom were the 1st-Generation of Muslims, relative to the Revelation of The Qur’ān (May Allah be pleased with them altogether).

2. Generations-1&2 of at-Tābi`īn/the Followers (the Followers of as-Sahābah).

So, what’s actually the Issue/Problem?!!!

Now, on the Surface…any Average/Regular-Muslim will think: “Hey…I can Fuck wit dat: Cool.”. But, only if it were that simple. The Issue/Problem is the Judgmental-Nature of Salafism & the Character/Behavior which it indoctrinates its Adherents with.

Which is precisely how/why one of the Most-Lauded-Figures whom Salafīs Dick-Ride ironically stated that:

“The Salafīs are also a Hizb/Sectarian/Deviant-Group, because of the Negative-Character.”…also equally referred to the Salafīs as “Talafīs (Persons of Destruction).”.

(Muhammad ibn-Sālih al-`Uthaymīn)

OK…so how/why the Fuck are Salafīs on This-Type/Kind of Timing?!!!

Good-Question…

…Answer:

The Salafīs harbor a very Similar-Type/Kind of Istikbār/Arrogance as al-Yahūd/Jews (make no Mistake: I’m in no Way claiming that Salafīs are Kuffār [Disbelievers/Non-Muslims]…I’m not an Ash`arī-Nigga). Meaning, they’ve literally bought into their own Publicity thinking/feeling that an-Najiyyah/Salvation is exclusively for them via the “Firqah-Nājiyah/Saved-Sect” Syndrome (which Salafīs claim for themselves & about themselselves to boot). And, it’s plain to notice as per how they often treat People. Salafīs (not exclusively but particularly) attempt to establish a Religio-Monopoly over al-Islām. This by default/definition proves that Salafī-Niggas are just as Morally-Bankrupt as any other Hizb which they criticize.

The Hujjah/Indictment against the Salafī-Mafia

How/why do the Salafīs even exists?!!!

Good-Question…

…Answer:

You’ll never find this on Salafi Publications: A Necessary Hujjah (Indictment/Refutation) against Saudi Arabia…a kingdom of Sectarian-Deviants, Tyrants, and Powermongers

The Maslahah/Purpose of This-Article

Full-Disclosure:

Gareth Bryant is probably the Most Anti-Salafism/Salafī Individual on Planet-Earth, that anyone will ever know/meet via In-Person. Yet, at the Same-Time, I refuse to tolerate, accept, co-sign, etc. any Sifah/Manifestation of al-Buhtān/Slander. It doesn’t matter whom they are, what they claim, etc.: Gareth Bryant isn’t going to accuse them of having Beliefs, Postures, Stances, etc. which don’t even exists. This is the Reason how/why I’ve written This-Article…it’s because I respect Salafīs for being Theologically-Muslim more than I hate them for being Religio-Sectarian.

For anyone…I mean anyone…to accuse the Salafīs of having their own “`Aqīdah” they honestly don’t know what the Fuck they’re talking about. And I know my Sibling of the Pen (Tālib Nathaniel) is going to greatly disagree, with what I’m going to say, but the Facts are the Facts: the Average/Regular-Salafī (regardless of how Academically-Ignorant they are) is most definitely a Default-Atharī. I can truthfully/honestly say as such (as an Atharī-Academic/Theologian myself), that Salafīs are in fact Renegade/Prodigal-Atharīs.

Gareth Bryant

al-`Aqā’id (Theologies) in the Era of al-Khilāfah (Islāmic-Governance)

The Siblings of the Pen: Gareth “Atharī Corleone” & Tālib “Ash`arī Tommasino” Nathaniel once again took our Fraternity to Another-Discussion, about how al-Khilāfah/Islāmic-Governance was influenced/dominated via al-`Aqā’id/Theological-Schools. As per usual, we never allow our Fraternity get in the Way of facilitating Debate between us. So, via This-Article, I’ll investigate the Historical-Ties between al-`Aqā’id & the Khilāfah-Era.

How the Discourse began

This began when Ash`arī Tommasino had postured, via the WhatsApp-Group we’re both in, that there’s never been any Islāmic-Governance, Muslim-Nation/Empire, Muslim-Country, etc. which was ever Bureaucratically-Atharī prior to the Inception of KSA/Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. I literally laughed when my Sibling of the Pen said this & said to myself: “The Beloved is Wildin…lol”. To claim that there was never a Time in which Atharism was influential/dominant via the Historical/Bureaucratic-Rulership within the Muslim-World prior to Post-WWI is Bonkers. So, as usual, what Atharī Corleone did was thoroughly analyze the Claim of Ash`arī Tommasino (via Typical Gareth Bryant Fashion). And, what I’ve concluded is what I’ll elaborate on further via the Rest of This-Article.

Examining Historical-Aqā’id

al-Mu`taziliyyah/Mu`tazilism

Belief: Mu`tazilīs highly focus on Rationalism&Rhetoric (based primarily upon Greco-Roman Philosophy). Also, they claim that Allah is similar to Creation. As well, they’re notoriously known for misinterpreting al-Mashī’ah/Freewill. In addition, they also claim that The Qur’an was “created”.

(Progenitor/Founder: Wāsil ibn-`Atā’)

al-Ash`ariyyah/Ash`arism

Belief: Ash`arīs view that the Fitrah/Nature-Of-Allah is never to be compared to Creation, hence they conclude the “Necessity” to not view the Sifāt/Characteristics-Of-Allah as being Literal, Real, Actual, etc. Also, they’re also deeply rooted in Rationalism, Rhetoric, etc. (Furthermore) Ash`arīs are particularly notoriously known for imposing Unjust-Takfīr/Blasphemy against Fellow-Muslims whom’re Non-Ash`arīs, in spite of the Progenitor/Founder of Ash`arism making Deathbed-Repentance against Unjust-Takfīr against Muslim Non-Ash`arīs.

(Progenitor/Founder: `Alī ibn-Ismā`īl ibn-Ishāq [AKA Abul-Hasan al-Ash`arī])

al-Jabariyyah/Jabarism

Belief: Jabarīs claim that Humans don’t possess al-Mashī’ah, and aren’t responsible for their Actions. As a Result, they also disbelieve in the Day of Standing.

(Progenitor/Founder: Ja`d ibn-Dirhām)

al-Qadariyyah/Qadarism

Belief: Qadarīs deny of the Belief in al-Qadr (Decree/Destiny). They claim that they’re “free” from the Qadr-Of-Allah via al-Mashī’ah/Freewill.

(Progenitor/Founder: Abū-Yūnus Sinbuyah Aswārī & Ma`bad ibn-Juhanī [one of the Students/Followers of Jahm ibn-Safwān])

al-Murji’iyyah/Murji’ism

Belief: Murji’īs claim that Actions aren’t an aspect of al-Īmān. Also, they claim that al-Īmān neither increases or decreases.

(Progenitor/Founder: Ghilān ibn Abī-Ghilān al-Qadarī)

al-Mushabbihiyyah/Mushabbihism

Belief: Mushabbihīs claim that Allah is similar to the Creation, referring to Their Characteristics being “shared” amongst Created-Things/Beings.

(Progenitor/Founder: Muqātil ibn-Sulaymān al-Khurasānī)

al-Jahmiyyah/Jahmism

Belief: Jahmīs deny Particular-Sifāt of Allah, like Eternal-Speech for example. Jahmism historically is notoriously known for claiming that The Qur’an was “created”.

(Progenitor/Founder: Jahm ibn-Safwān [one of the Students/Followers of Ja`d ibn-Dirhām as well as a Contemporary of Ab-il-Hasan al-Ash`arī])

The Ugly-History of the “`Aqīdah/Creed-Wars”

A Summary of the Khilāfah-Era

al-Khilāfah lasted for 13-Centuries consisting of 4-Periods of Islāmic-Governance over the Muslim-World. These 4 Khilāfah-Periods Definied what al-Khilāfah is & isn’t, faced damn near Complete-Collapse, arose from the Ashes of Non-Muslim Ass-Whippins, etc. only to be interally betrayed via al-`Asabiyyah/Xenophobia.

Rāshidī-Period

(The “Rightly-Guided Custodians” Era)

Established the Skeletal-Matrix of al-Khilāfah: Rebellions, Bureaucratic-Development, Initial-Expansion of al-Khilāfah, Tribal-Nepotism, Internal-Corruption, etc. were Hallmarks of the Legacy of the Rāshidī-Period.

23-53, A.H./632-661, C.E.

Umayyī-Period

(The so-called “Arab-Empire” Era)

The Greatest Territorial-Expansion of al-Khilāfah: from the Iberian-Peninsula (Modern-Day Spain/Portugal) to the Indian-Subcontinent (Modern-Day Pakistan). The Most-Powerful Khalīfah of This-Period was `Abd-ul-Malik ibn-Marwān (the Muslim-Version of the Roman-Emperor Trajan). Mismanagement of Islāmic-Territories, Bureaucratic-Corruption, etc. chiefly led to the Implosion/Usurpation of this Khilāfsh-Period.

53-132, A.H./661-750, C.E.

`Abbāsī-Period

(The so-called “Islāmic Golden-Age” Era)

In spite of being classified as the “Islāmic Golden-Age” because of: Religio-Academic Heights, Technological-Advancement, etc. the Weakest Khilāfah-Period (due to the Muslim-World getting mauled via the Judeo-Christian Crusades & the Pagan-Mongol Hordes from the 4th-9th Centuries, A.H./10th-15 Centuries, C.E.). This was the Greatest Territorial-Loss during the Khilāfah-Period.

132-923, A.H./750-1517, C.E.

`Uthmānī-Period

(The “Ottoman-Empire” Era)

The Height of International-Reognition of the Oceanic-Might&Influence of the `Uthmānī-Navy in the World. al-Khilāfah fought Imperial-Portugal for a Lengthy-Duration over Naval-Supremacy via the Indian-Ocean Region. The Expansion into the Balkans was a constant&consistent Blow/Annoyance to Non-Muslim Europe. (Eventually) due to Succession-Crises, Internal-Corruption, World-War I, Pan-Arabism, the Arab-Revolt, etc.: this caused al-Khilāfah to fully collapse. This, of course, gave rise to the Despicable-State of the Muslim-World being without a Khilāfah ever since.

923-1340, A.H./1517-1922, C.E.

Muslim-Politics & Muslims whom manipulate it for their own Ambitions

The Classic Hizbī/Sectarian-Claim that “Most of the Muslim-World has always been upon Ash`arī-Creed”

I personally have heard this Talking-Point for Decades, without anyone providing any such Evidence thereof. Claims must be established via Proofs. This is precisely how/why Muhammad (Peace be upon them) stated:

“The Indictment is upon the Claimant.”

(an-Nawawī)

Every single Time I’ve commanded that Ash`arīs provide Historical/Statistical-Data proving that Most of the Muslim-World has been Theologically-Ash`arī…Utter-Silence. And, it’s because they know such a Claim they pontificate/promote is 💯% predicated upon Hizbī/Religio-Sectarian Sucka-Shit.

Vying for the “Sunnī-Monopoly” amongst the Muslims

Realistically, it’s impossible to “prove” that Most of the Muslim-World has ever been Theologically-Atharī. But, ironically, here’s what can undoubtedly be proven:

All of al-Anbiyā’/Prophetic-Individuals (Peace be upon them altogether) were Theological-Atharīs.

All of the Muslims from Umum/Nations prior to the Revelation of The Qur’ān were Theological-Atharīs.

At least 90% of as-Salaf (as-Sahābah/the Companions & Generations-1&2 of at-Tābi`īn/the Followers) were Theological-Atharīs.

There’s 0-Way to attain, collect, survey, etc. Historical-Data as per which Percentages of Muslims (relative to the Revelation of al-Qur’ān & as-Sunnah) were Atharīs vs. Non-Atharīs.

The `Aqā’id I’ve examined either never took root, or never even existed, prior to the `Abbāsī-Period.

This-Discussion also brings into Account of the 8-Surviving Madhāhib/Religio-Legal Schools which dominate Islāmic-Legalism throughout the Muslim-World. For the Record/Fun-Fact: All of the Progenitors/Founders of any of these 8-Surviving Madhāhib were Theological-Atharīs.

Romance of the 3-`Aqīdahs

Let’s examine the Populations of those dwelling under each Khilāfah-Period

Rāshidī-Period:

Approximately 22Million-People.

Umayyī-Period:

Approximately 70Million-People at its Territorial-Height. Overall, GiveorTake, between 20-60 Million People throughout the Duration of the Umayyī-Period.

`Abbāsī-Period:

Approximately 50Million-People, relative to its Territorial-Height.

`Uthmānī-Period:

Approximately 25Million-People.

Let’s do Some-Math

Combining the Rāshidī-Period & Umayyī-Period together:

That’s close to 100Million-People total.

Combining the `Abbāsī-Period & `Uthmānī-Period together:

That’s close to 80Million-People total.

So, what actually makes anyone think/feel that Ash`arism became so “influential/dominant”, within the Muslim-World, when Ash`arism literally doesn’t even compliment the Mindset/Mentality of the Average/Regular-Muslim? Historically, from Ādam/Adam (Peace be upon them) till now: the Average/Regular-Muslim has had Simple/Simplex-Views about al-`Aqīdah/Islāmic-Theology (the 6-Arkān/Pillars of al-Īmān [Islāmic-Belief/Faith]). Less-Is-More, for the Average/Regular-Muslim. This is how/why Atharism compliments the Average/Regular-Muslim totally. The Average/Regular-Muslim has never been a Religio-Academic. Rather, the Average/Regular-Muslim is only interested in getting to al-Jannah/Paradise.

at-Tafwīdh/Neutrality vs. at-Ta’wīl/Interpretation concerning the Sifāt/Qualities-Of-Allah

The Question/Challenge (from Gareth “Atharī Corleone” to Tālib “Ash`arī Tommasino”) is to actually provide Historical/Statistical-Data, which can even remotely dispute my Research regarding This-Issue. This is going to be Fun, as Gareth Bryant observes Tālib Nathaniel collect Thoughts, Research, etc. to address what I’ve authored. I very much look forward to the Response via my Sibling of the Pen.

Gareth Bryant