What is the evidence from the Holy Quran for Salafism?

Linguistically, "Salafiyyah" refers to the Salaf, meaning the predecessors. Terminologically, they are the Companions (Sahabah), the Successors (Tabi'een), and their successors, such as the Four Imams, Sufyan al-Thawri, al-Bukhari, and other esteemed imams who were renowned for their imamate, piety, and devotion.

Salafiyyah is a school that derives Islamic creed and methodology from the Qur'an and Sunnah according to the understanding of the righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salih). Its adherents are known as Ahl al-Hadith (People of Hadith) or Ahl al-Athar (People of Tradition) due to their adherence to the method of transmission.

This methodology is obligatory for every Muslim to follow, as stated by Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, and it is obligatory to accept those who outwardly embrace the methodology of the Salaf, for it is the truth.

There are many proofs for the validity of this methodology, including:

1. The Holy Qur'an: Allah Almighty says: "So if they believe in the likes of what you have believed in, then they have been guided; but if they turn away, then they are only in dissension." (Al-Baqarah: 137). This indicates that belief in what the Companions believed in is a sign of guidance. Allah Almighty says: "And whoever opposes the Messenger after guidance has become clear to him and follows other than the way of the believers – We will give him what he has taken and drive him into Hell, and evil it is as a destination." (An-Nisa: 115). This confirms that the way of the believers (the Companions) is the methodology that must be followed. Allah Almighty says: "And the first forerunners [in the faith] among the Muhajireen and the Ansar and those who followed them with good conduct – Allah is pleased with them, and they are pleased with Him." (At-Tawbah: 100). This indicates Allah's pleasure with those who followed the Companions with good conduct, due to what they received directly from the Prophet, peace be upon him.

2. Sayings of the Salaf: Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz said: "Stop where the people (the Salaf) stopped, for they stopped with knowledge and refrained with penetrating insight." He emphasized that whoever innovates after them has deviated from their guidance. Al-Bukhari narrated that the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: "The best of people are my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them." This indicates the superiority of the first generations. Ibrahim al-Nakha'i said: "If it reached me that the Companions did not exceed a fingernail in performing ablution, I would not exceed it," which shows their strict adherence to the Salaf.

Thus, fortunate is he who follows the methodology of these three favored generations.