Verily, the followers of opinion are the enemies of the Sunan (the teachings of Allâh’s Messenger as passed down in hadith): they were unable to preserve them and their meanings escaped them, and when asked [questions] they were too embarrassed to say ‘We don’t know,’ so they opposed the Sunan with their opinions.

Ibn Abî Zamanîn, Usûl Al-Sunnah article 8; Al-Lâlakâ`î, Sharh Usûl I’tiqâd Ahl Al-Sunnah article 201 et al.

More:

1. Losing Ahl Al-Sunnah
2. Son, have you put it into practice?
3. The Narrations are the Religion
4. Guilty by Association
5. The Heretic Miracle Worker

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

Issuing fatwâ is not allowed except for a person who knows what the people have differed in. It was said, ‘Do you mean the different views of the people of opinions (those who depend more on analogy and speculation)? He replied, “No, [I mean] the different views of the Companions of Muhammad – Allâh’s praise and peace be upon him. And he must also know the textual evidence that abrogates [other rulings] and that which is abrogated [by other texts], both in the Quran and the hadîth of Allah’s Messenger – Allâh’s praise and peace be upon him. Such a person can issue fatâwâ.

Ibn ‘Abd Al-Barr, Jâmi’ Bayân Al-’Ilm wa Fadlihî article 1529.

It is reported that ‘Abdullâh b. Al-Mubârak – Allâh have mercy on him – was asked, “When can a person issue an edict (fatwâ)?” He replied, “When he is knowledgeable about the narrations (hadith and traditions of the Salaf), and has insight into [juristic] opinion.

Ibid. article 1532.

More:

1. The Mad Mufti
2. Some of the Best and Worst People in Society
3. Beautiful Cursed Women
4. The Companions’ Sincerity in Knowledge
5. I sit with the Salaf

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

Do not sit with them, nor with the followers of Kalâm.⁽¹⁾ Be with the carriers of books,⁽²⁾ for they are like mines, like those who descend: one brings up a gem and another a nugget of gold.

Ibn Battah, Al-Ibânah Al-Kubrâ article 483.

(1) Speculative theology, drawn from foreign philosophy and logic, as practiced by sects such as the Jahmia and Mutazila.

(2) Arabic al-qamâtir: covers or folders used to keep written material. ‘Carriers of books’ refers to the scholars and students who occupied themselves with Islamic knowledge and hadîth.

More:

1. Characterless
2. The Heretic Miracle Worker
3. Guilty by Association
4. Heresy and Hypocrisy [the company you keep]
5. Opinionated Enemies of the Sunnah

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

I would travel for days to a man to hear [knowledge/hadîth ] from him, and the first thing I would check about him is his prayer: if he performed it properly I would stay and hear [knowledge] from him, but if he neglected it, I would return without hearing from him, and I would say, ‘He will be even more neglectful of other matters.’

Al-Khatîb Al-Baghdâdî, Al-Rihlah fî Talab Al-Hadîth article 22; Al-Dhahabî, Siyar A’lâm Al-Nubalâ` 4:209.

More:

1. Be with the Carriers of Books
2. Start studying early [don’t be an ignorant shaykh]
3. I’m the Man [the youngster who puts himself forward]
4. Giving to spread Knowledge
5. Food for Thought, not for Stomachs

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi

When I see a man from the Adherents of Hadîth, it is as if I have seen the Prophet – Allâh’s peace and blessings be upon him – alive.

Al-Khatîb Al-Baghdâdî, Sharaf Ashâb Al-Hadîth article 85.

More:

1. Son, have you put it into practice?
2. At the Doorstep of Knowledge
3. I sit with the Salaf
4. Opinionated Enemies of the Sunnah
5. Don’t ask the Polytheists

This is from Sayings of the Salaf - English translations of narrations from the Salaf - the earliest believers, our righteous predecessors, and true scholars of Islam. Selected and translated by Owais Al-Hashimi