Salaf and Salafiyya accordi̇ng to ibn Taymiyya

Salafiyya is one of the most controversial topics of recent times, where there are debates about when and how it emerged within Islamic sects and schools, whether it is a sect or a mentality. The discussions that emerged within the framework of the Salaf and Salafiyya concepts show diversity due to different historical backgrounds. While it is possible to talk about a general consensus about what the concept of Salaf refers to, it seems difficult to talk about the same situation regarding Salafiyya. Undoubtedly, Ibn Taymiyya (d. 728/1328) is the person whose name comes to the fore most in Salafiyya discussions. Although Ahmed b. Hanbal (d. 241/855) was an important figure for all Salafi schools, Ibn Taymiyya has always been at the center of studies on Salaf and Salafiyya. Ibn Taymiyya, who frequently used these concepts in his works, also contributed to keeping these concepts on the agenda at all times. It is well known that the concepts of Salaf and Salafiyya are used extensively in all works of Ibn Taymiyya. Ibn Taymiyya, who had a great influence on the formation of the Salafiyya school, tried to explain the meanings of these concepts, what is the meaning of Salaf and Salafiyya, who comes to mind when Salaf is mentioned, and which period Salaf should be based on. He never ceased to fight for Salafi principles, to defend the views he accepted as correct, and to fight against thoughts and bid'ahs that do not comply with these views. Therefore, he was subjected to many difficulties and various tortures due to his views. In this study, we will try to take a closer look at the Salaf and Salafiyya, for which Ibn Taymiyya has endured so many difficulties, and the Salaf method. When we look at the studies related to Salafist and Salafism or Ibn Taymiyya, it is seen that these issues are generally discussed separately. In other words, we have realized that there are no topics such as how Ibn Taymiyya uses these concepts, what kind of meaning he attributes to these concepts, who he refers to from Salaf, what the Salafiyya school's views are, and what this school's point of view is to other sects and ideas. In this study, firstly, the subject will be clarified and evaluations will be made in line with the works of Ibn Taymiyya and other studies on this subject. In fact, it will be appropriate to evaluate and investigate the concepts of Salaf and Salafiyya together with Ibn Taymiyya, who is considered to be the founder of the Salafist movement. We hope that our work will fill the gap in this area and help those who will work on this subject.