1 00:00:00,820 --> 00:00:03,819 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 2 00:00:03,819 --> 00:00:07,259 The lives of the salaf. 3 00:00:07,259 --> 00:00:09,259 Between word and deed. 4 00:00:09,259 --> 00:00:13,519 By Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Nasir al-Tayr. 5 00:00:13,519 --> 00:00:18,109 Defining the salaf. 6 00:00:18,109 --> 00:00:24,300 The salaf are the vanguard of this Ummah, consisting of the Companions, the Tabi'un, and the leaders of guidance. 7 00:00:24,300 --> 00:00:27,300 During the three favored generations. 8 00:00:27,300 --> 00:00:33,399 This term is also applied to anyone who follows their guidance and treads their path. 9 00:00:33,399 --> 00:00:36,399 Even if they appear many centuries later. 10 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:40,399 Such a person is called a Salafi, in attribution to them. 11 00:00:40,399 --> 00:00:45,530 This name was indeed used during the three favored generations. 12 00:00:45,530 --> 00:00:48,530 However, it was not widely known or commonly used. 13 00:00:48,530 --> 00:00:50,530 Contrary to those who deny this. 14 00:00:50,530 --> 00:00:55,299 And claim that it did not exist until after their time. 15 00:00:55,299 --> 00:00:58,299 The term "salaf" has two considerations. 16 00:00:58,299 --> 00:01:01,299 A consideration of time and a consideration of creed. 17 00:01:01,299 --> 00:01:04,299 As for the salaf in terms of time: 18 00:01:04,299 --> 00:01:07,299 They are exclusively the three favored generations. 19 00:01:07,299 --> 00:01:12,299 Those for whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) testified to their excellence. 20 00:01:12,299 --> 00:01:16,299 As in the hadith of 'Imran Ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him). 21 00:01:16,299 --> 00:01:18,299 He said: 22 00:01:18,299 --> 00:01:21,299 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 23 00:01:21,299 --> 00:01:23,299 "The best of my Ummah is my generation, 24 00:01:23,299 --> 00:01:26,299 then those who follow them, 25 00:01:26,299 --> 00:01:29,299 then those who follow them." 26 00:01:29,299 --> 00:01:32,489 Thus, the salaf are the people of the three generations. 27 00:01:32,489 --> 00:01:35,709 And those who come after them are the khalaf (later generations). 28 00:01:35,709 --> 00:01:38,709 As for the salaf in the second consideration: 29 00:01:38,709 --> 00:01:41,709 It includes everyone who follows their path. 30 00:01:41,709 --> 00:01:44,709 In creed and action until the Day of Resurrection. 31 00:01:44,709 --> 00:01:47,870 Among their other names are: 32 00:01:47,870 --> 00:01:50,870 The People of Athar and the People of Hadith. 33 00:01:50,870 --> 00:01:53,870 And other noble titles. 34 00:01:53,870 --> 00:01:56,870 Which indicate the soundness of this great methodology. 35 00:02:00,209 --> 00:02:03,209 The characteristics and merits of the salaf over others. 36 00:02:03,209 --> 00:02:06,530 Our righteous salaf, may the mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon them. 37 00:02:06,530 --> 00:02:09,530 Possess virtues by which they were favored. 38 00:02:09,530 --> 00:02:12,530 And merits by which they were distinguished. 39 00:02:12,530 --> 00:02:15,659 Among their greatest merits and virtues, 40 00:02:15,659 --> 00:02:18,659 which set them apart from others, is: 41 00:02:18,659 --> 00:02:20,659 First: 42 00:02:20,659 --> 00:02:23,659 That they are from the favored generations. 43 00:02:23,659 --> 00:02:26,659 About whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 44 00:02:26,659 --> 00:02:29,659 "The best of my Ummah is my generation, 45 00:02:29,659 --> 00:02:32,659 then those who follow them, 46 00:02:32,659 --> 00:02:35,780 then those who follow them." 47 00:02:35,780 --> 00:02:38,780 This excellence is manifest in their deeds and their character, 48 00:02:38,780 --> 00:02:41,780 their sincerity and their creed. 49 00:02:41,780 --> 00:02:44,780 It is impossible for those who came after them 50 00:02:44,780 --> 00:02:47,939 to reach their station. 51 00:02:47,939 --> 00:02:50,939 Second: Their proximity to the Prophetic era, 52 00:02:50,939 --> 00:02:54,099 and the divine revelation. 53 00:02:54,099 --> 00:02:57,099 The Prophet (peace be upon him) 54 00:02:57,099 --> 00:03:00,099 enjoined the people and the Ummah to follow these favored generations. 55 00:03:00,099 --> 00:03:03,099 Al-Tirmidhi recorded in his Sunan, 56 00:03:03,099 --> 00:03:06,099 and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 57 00:03:06,099 --> 00:03:09,099 from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 58 00:03:09,099 --> 00:03:12,099 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 59 00:03:12,099 --> 00:03:15,099 "I enjoin you to follow my Companions, 60 00:03:15,099 --> 00:03:18,099 then those who follow them, 61 00:03:18,099 --> 00:03:21,139 then those who follow them." 62 00:03:22,139 --> 00:03:25,139 "I enjoin you to follow my Companions, 63 00:03:25,139 --> 00:03:28,139 then those who follow them, 64 00:03:28,139 --> 00:03:31,139 then those who follow them." 65 00:03:31,139 --> 00:03:34,139 Meaning the followers of the Tabi'un. 66 00:03:34,139 --> 00:03:37,360 The Prophet (peace be upon him) 67 00:03:37,360 --> 00:03:40,360 only enjoined us to follow these favored generations 68 00:03:40,360 --> 00:03:43,360 so that we might adhere to their methodology, 69 00:03:43,360 --> 00:03:46,360 walk in their footsteps, 70 00:03:46,360 --> 00:03:49,360 and emulate their traditions. 71 00:03:49,360 --> 00:03:52,780 Fourth: 72 00:03:52,780 --> 00:03:55,780 That they inherited knowledge, the Sharia, and the religion 73 00:03:55,780 --> 00:03:58,780 through close succession; for the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) 74 00:03:58,780 --> 00:04:01,780 took it from the Prophet (peace be upon him) 75 00:04:01,780 --> 00:04:04,780 directly, without intermediary. 76 00:04:04,780 --> 00:04:07,780 The Tabi'un took it from the noble Companions, 77 00:04:07,780 --> 00:04:10,780 fresh and pure. 78 00:04:10,780 --> 00:04:13,780 And the followers of the Tabi'un took it from the Tabi'un, 79 00:04:13,780 --> 00:04:16,779 sweet and refreshing. 80 00:04:16,779 --> 00:04:19,779 They did not take them from the deviations of the innovators, 81 00:04:19,779 --> 00:04:22,779 or the nonsense of the Sufis. 82 00:04:22,779 --> 00:04:25,779 Rather, their hearts were pure, 83 00:04:25,779 --> 00:04:28,810 their goals were noble, 84 00:04:28,810 --> 00:04:31,810 and their aspirations were high. 85 00:04:31,810 --> 00:04:34,810 These characteristics of this unique generation, 86 00:04:34,810 --> 00:04:37,810 and these merits of these blessed centuries, 87 00:04:37,810 --> 00:04:40,810 made their generation and their society 88 00:04:40,810 --> 00:04:43,810 the greatest, best, and purest society on the face of the earth. 89 00:04:43,810 --> 00:04:46,810 They acted according to the Sharia of their Lord, 90 00:04:46,810 --> 00:04:49,810 and were harmonious and loving among themselves, 91 00:04:49,810 --> 00:04:52,810 and safe from innovations and whims. 92 00:04:52,810 --> 00:04:57,250 The life of the salaf, 93 00:04:57,250 --> 00:05:00,629 between word and deed.