No doubt, the Salafi Da`wah includes the Four Imams among scholars of the Salaf. Imam Abu Haneefah, is one of the major scholars of fiqh from the third generation of Islam. Imam Malik, is one of the major scholars of hadeeth and fiqh from the third generation of Islam. Imam Ash-Shafi`i, Imam Malik’s student, is one of the major scholars of fiqh and Usul Al-Fiqh, from the fourth generation of Islam. Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal, the student of Imam Ash-Shafi`i, is one of the major scholars of hadeeth and fiqh from the fourth generation of Islam.
Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, an excellent representative of the scholars of the Salafi Da`wah, filled his books with the opinions and statements of the Four Imams. His respect for the Four Imams and their efforts, is remarkable and substantial.
However, this does not mean that the Four Imams or those more knowledgeable than them, such as the scholars among the Prophet’s Companions, are immune from error. Only Allah’s Prophets and Messengers are immune from error in matters of the religion.
The Salafi Da`wah respects the scholars of Islam. The scholars of Islam are like the rain that brings life to the dead earth, by Allah’s permission. However, the final authority is in the words of Allah, His Kalam, the Quran, and the Sunnah of His Messenger, Allah’s blessings and mercy on him, as the Prophet’s Companions learned the Quran and Sunnah from him.
Jalal Abualrub (www.islamlife.com)
July 7, 2019