Part of a series on Sunni Islam
Schools of Law Hanafi • Shafi`i • Maliki • Hanbali
Deobandi • Barelwi Salafism
Beliefs Tawhid • Nabi and Rusul Kutub • Mala'ikah Qiyamah • Qadr
Rightly Guided Caliphs Abu Bakr • Umar ibn al-Khattab Uthman • Ali ibn Abi Talib
Texts Qur'an Sahih Bukhari • Sahih Muslim Al-Sunan al-Sughra Sunan Abi Dawood Sunan al-Tirmidhi Sunan ibn Maja • Al-Muwatta Sunan al-Darami This article is on an Islamic movement. For the article on the group of early Muslims, see Salaf
Salafism (Arabic: سلفي "predecessors" or "early generations"), is a generic term, depicting a Sunni Islamic school of thought that takes the pious ancestors (Salaf) of the patristic period of early Islam as exemplary models

Etymology
Just who, or what groups and movements, qualify as salafi is disputed.
Whichever definition is used, Salafis idealize an uncorrupted, pure Islamic religious community. They believe that Islam's decline after the early generations is the result of religious innovations (bid'ah) and that an Islamic revival will result through the emulation of the three early generations and the purging of foreign influences from the religion. Particular emphasis is given to monotheism - (tawhid); many Muslim practices which have now become common are condemned as polytheism (shirk). Salafis believe that widespread Muslim practices such as venerating the graves of Islamic prophets and saints to be shirk. Salafis in general are opposed to both Sufi and Shi'a doctrines, which Salafis regard as having many aspects of shirk and bid`ah.
Salafis reject dogmatic theology (kalam). They consider this to be based on classical Greek philosophy (such as Plato and Aristotle) and an import foreign to the original practice of Islam.
Salafis place great emphasis on ritual not only in prayer but in every activity in life -- many are careful to always use three fingers when eating, drink water in three pauses with the right hand while sitting and Muhammad ibn Abd-al-Wahhab in the 17th century.
Some Salafis rely on the jurisprudence of one of the four famous madh'habs. For example, Ibn Taymiya followed the Hanbali madhhab. Some of his students (such as Ibn Kathir and Al-Dhahabi) followed the Shafi madhhab. Other students (such as Ibn Abu al-Iz) follow the Hanafi madhhab. However none of the madh'habs are to be followed blindly, and in some cases Salafis may choose opinions that differ from any of them. Distinctive beliefs and practices
From the perspective of the Salafis themselves, their history starts with Muhammad himself. They consider themselves direct followers of his teachings, and wish to emulate the piety of the first three generations of Islam (the Salaf). All later scholars are merely revivers (not 'founders'). Modern scholars may only come to teach (or remind) us of the instructions of the original followers of Islam. From the perspective of some others, however, the history of Salafism started a few hundred years ago, the exact time and place still being a matter of discussion.
From a perspective widely shared by scholars of Islam, the history of Salafism started in Egypt in the mid 19th century among intellectuals at al-Azhar University, the preeminent center of Islamic learning, located in Cairo. Prominent among them were Muhammad Abduh (1849-1905), Jamal al-Din al-Afghani (1839-1897) and Rashid Rida (1865-1935). Debate continues today over the appropriate method of reform, ranging from violent political Islamism to less politicized evangelism. Despite some similarities, the different modern groups that claim to be part of Salafism often strongly disapprove of each other and deny their Salafi character.

History of Salafism

Contemporary Salafis
Salafism is a movement within Sunni Islam. It includes many groups and shades of belief. It is strongest in the Middle East, but it is also found in most other Muslim-majority countries (see Islam by country and Demographics of Islam). It is increasingly important to diasporic Muslims in Europe, Canada, and the United States.
For rootless immigrants and disaffected second-generation youths in Europe, salafism provides the attraction of the authentic. For those living in the squalid metropolises of the Middle East, it offers an emotionally rich alternative to the slogans of Arab nationalism. Salafism appeals to younger Muslims as a way to differentiate themselves from their parents and grandparents because it is seen as pure, stripped of the local, superstitious, and customary usages of their families' countries of origin. It confers a sense of moral superiority. Salafism has a potent appeal because it underscores Islam's universality.

Spread and effect
Some Salafis support the government; others distance themselves from it, or oppose it.

Prominent pro-government Saudi scholars include Ibn Baz, Ibn Uthaymeen (both now deceased), Ibn Humaid, and Rabi' al-Madkhali.
Some Salafis who have been heavily influenced by the teachings of non-Salafis from outside of Saudi Arabia, such as Sayyid Qutb for instance, believe that the majority of Muslim countries, including Saudi Arabia, have strayed into disbelief and that the only answer to the plight of Muslims today is Jihad against both the Muslim and non-Muslim governments alike. Osama bin Laden is a prominent example of a Salafi Saudi Muslim who has gone from supporting the Saudi regime to violently opposing it. Saudi Arabia

Notable modern Salafi scholars

• Advocate of reviving the religion as it was practiced by Muhammad


• Was given refuge and support by Muhammad bin Saud

• A prominent jurist, exegete, grammarian with a great interest in poetry

• Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia


• Chairman of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa


• President and Member of the Founding Committee for the Muslim World League


• President of the higher World League Council


• President of the World Supreme Council for Mosques


• President of the Islamic Fiqh Assembly in Makkah, which is under the Muslim World League


• Member of the Higher Council of the Islamic University of Madinah


• Member of the Supreme Committee for Islamic Propagation

• Scholar of fiqh and authored over fifty books on the subject


• Professor in Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Al Qasim Branch.


• Member of Council of Senior Scholars

• Obtained a Ph.D. in Islamic Jurisprudence.


• Author of more than sixty published works covering Muslim Creed, Islamic Jurisprudence and Muslim's Conduct.


• Member of Council of Senior Scholars


• Member of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa

• Current Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia


• Chairman of The Council of Senior Scholars


• Chairman of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa

• Scholar of Hadith


• Ex Head of School of Sunnah Islamic University of Madinah


• Obtained a Master's Degree from Umm Al-Qura University

• Ex Chancellor of Islamic University of Medinah


• Teacher in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet)


• Professor in Islamic University of Madina

• One of the Imams of Masjid al-Haram


• Obtained his Master's in Islamic fundamentals from the Sharia College of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University


• Received his Ph.D. in Islamic Sharia from Umm al-Qura University

Muhammad ibn Abd al Wahhab (1703 C.E. - 1792 C.E.)
Advocate of reviving the religion as it was practiced by Muhammad
Was given refuge and support by Muhammad bin Saud
'Abd al-Rahman b. Nasir al-Sa'di (1889 C.E.- 1956 C.E.)
A prominent jurist, exegete, grammarian with a great interest in poetry
Abdul 'Azeez ibn Abdullaah ibn Baaz (1909 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)
Former Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia
Chairman of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa
President and Member of the Founding Committee for the Muslim World League
President of the higher World League Council
President of the World Supreme Council for Mosques
President of the Islamic Fiqh Assembly in Makkah, which is under the Muslim World League
Member of the Higher Council of the Islamic University of Madinah
Member of the Supreme Committee for Islamic Propagation
Muhammad ibn al Uthaymeen (1925 C.E. - 2001 C.E.)
Scholar of fiqh and authored over fifty books on the subject
Professor in Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University, Al Qasim Branch.
Member of Council of Senior Scholars
Saalih bin Al Fawzan (1935 C.E. - Present)
Obtained a Ph.D. in Islamic Jurisprudence.
Author of more than sixty published works covering Muslim Creed, Islamic Jurisprudence and Muslim's Conduct.
Member of Council of Senior Scholars
Member of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa
Abdul-Azeez ibn Abdullaah Aal ash-Shaikh (1941 C.E. - Present)
Current Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia
Chairman of The Council of Senior Scholars
Chairman of The Permanent Committee for Islamic Research and Fatwa
Rabee Al-Madkhali (1931 C.E. - Present)
Scholar of Hadith
Ex Head of School of Sunnah Islamic University of Madinah
Obtained a Master's Degree from Umm Al-Qura University
Abdul-Muhsin Al-Abbad
Ex Chancellor of Islamic University of Medinah
Teacher in Al-Masjid al-Nabawi (Mosque of the Prophet)
Professor in Islamic University of Madina
Abdul Rahman Al-Sudais (1961 C.E. - Present)
One of the Imams of Masjid al-Haram
Obtained his Master's in Islamic fundamentals from the Sharia College of Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University
Received his Ph.D. in Islamic Sharia from Umm al-Qura University Saudi Arabia

• Resided primarily in Syria and Jordan


• Specialized in the science of Hadith


• Ex Head of School of Prophetic Hadith in the Islamic University of Madinah


• Authenticated four of the Six major Hadith collections, consisting off Sunan Abi Da'ud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Sughra, and Sunan Ibn Maja

Muhammad Naasiruddeen al-Albaanee (1914 C.E. - 1999 C.E.)
Resided primarily in Syria and Jordan
Specialized in the science of Hadith
Ex Head of School of Prophetic Hadith in the Islamic University of Madinah
Authenticated four of the Six major Hadith collections, consisting off Sunan Abi Da'ud, Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Sunan al-Sughra, and Sunan Ibn Maja Albania

Saleem al Hilaalee (1957 C.E. - Present)
Ali Hasan al-Halabee (1960 C.E. - Present)
Mashhoor Bin Hasan Aal Salmaan (1960 C.E. - Present)
Husayn al-'Awaayishah
Muhammad Moosa Nasr (1954 C.E. - Present) Yemen

Badee'ud-Deen Shah As-Sindhee Pakistan

Older authorities accepted by modern Salafis as Salafi Imams

Imam Bukhari, Compiler of the authentic hadiths of the Prophet Muhammad known as Sahih Bukhari and Khalq Af'aal al-Ibad (The Creation of the acts of Servants) which shows the Salaf's creed regarding many issues. Greater Khorasan

Tahawi, author of Aqeedah At-Tahaweeyah
Ibn Hajar Asqalani, author of Fath al-Bari Iraq

• Author of al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah and al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah which are concise explanations of the creed of Ahlus-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah)


• Scholar of fiqh, having issued many fatawa on different issues

Ibn Taymiyyah (1263 C.E. - 1328 C.E.)
Author of al-Aqeedat Al-Hamawiyyah and al-Aqeedat Al-Waasittiyah which are concise explanations of the creed of Ahlus-Sunnah (People of the Sunnah)
Scholar of fiqh, having issued many fatawa on different issues
Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyya (1292 C.E. - 1350 C.E.)
Al-Dhahabi (1274 C.E. - 1348 C.E.)