Return to essence at modern Islamic thought (in the context of new salafism)

At this research, the concept of "return to essence" is examined in the context of "New Salafism". Document analysis and observation are the methods used. Changes on Salafiyyah thought is the subject of this thesis. The aim is to demonstrate the epistemological differences between "Salaf (forerunners)" and "Salafiyyah". Answers to the following questions are searched: How does salafiyyah, as an ideology, effect Muslim identity? Can it be considered equal to Sunnism? How should the role it plays on Shia-Sunni conflict be understood? What is it's relation with islâmophobia? Does it convert Sunni Islam? At the second part, the new formations on today's Salafism thought are expressed. At new salafism, the concepts of "familiarization of Islamic sects" and "unity of Islamic sects" is given place. The period that Al-Salaf al Sâlih, the Tâbi'ün ("Followers [of the Sahabah]"), and the Taba'al-Tâbi 'ün ("Followers of the Followers [of the Sahabah]") have lived in is the Salaf period. Salafiyyah, however, is a political and religious ideology. At New Salafism, what is meant with the concept of "return to essence " is "pure Islamic Akâid (doctrines of İslâmic faith)" and construction of Muslim society. Today, especially the jihadists among the New salafist groups, consider, through takfir (declare someone an unbeliever), many Muslims from Sunni and Shia sects, as the ones who must be jihadificated. Salafiyyah, with it's strict literal and part-based reading and takfirist understanding of religion is an essential subject to be discoursed on. It generates a significant rupture and seperation point for Islam and Muslimism. These kind of sectional approaches, play a significant role on weakening of Islamic countries through regional and global wars. Keywords: Salafizm, New Salafism, Shia and Salafism, Jihadist Salafism, Şuyuhu's Sahve, Neo-Kharijites Salafizm