Salafiyya

Salafiyya is a reformist current within Sunni Islam that seeks to restore the practices of the pious predecessors (the Salaf), emphasizing the Qur’an and the Sunnah and purging later innovations (bid’ah). It is not one organization but a family of related currents that advocate renewal of religious life in a manner compatible with modern knowledge.

Origins and development: The movement emerged in the late 19th century in the Ottoman Empire’s Arab lands, particularly Egypt and Greater Syria. Influenced by reformist thinkers such as Jamal al-Din al-Afghani and Muhammad Abduh, it promoted ijtihad (independent reasoning) over taqlid (blind imitation) and sought to reform education, legal thought, and religious institutions. Rashid Rida’s Al-Manar (founded 1898) helped disseminate Salafi ideas and connect them with broader political and social reform.

Core ideas and methods: Salafiyya emphasizes tawhid (oneness of God), adherence to the Qur’an and Hadith, and a critical stance toward speculative theology that it regards as bid’ah. It favors reinterpretation and renewal of classical sources through ijtihad, seeks compatibility with science and modern institutions, and promotes educational and legal reforms within an Islamic framework. It spread through journals, schools, and reformist networks across the Muslim world.

Legacy and modern usage: In the 20th and 21st centuries, the term Salafiyya has been applied to a broad spectrum, from scripturalist purists to politically engaged reformists and Islamist movements. It is often linked, though not universally, with later Salafi currents and with Wahhabi influence, especially in the emphasis on returning to early Islam. In contemporary discourse, Salafi or Salafist identifies groups that prioritize early sources, with diverse political orientations and strategies.