In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
The lives of the salaf.
Between word and deed.
By Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Nasir al-Tayr.
Defining the salaf.
The salaf are the vanguard of this Ummah, consisting of the Companions, the Tabi'un, and the leaders of guidance.
During the three favored generations.
This term is also applied to anyone who follows their guidance and treads their path.
Even if they appear many centuries later.
Such a person is called a Salafi, in attribution to them.
This name was indeed used during the three favored generations.
However, it was not widely known or commonly used.
Contrary to those who deny this.
And claim that it did not exist until after their time.
The term "salaf" has two considerations.
A consideration of time and a consideration of creed.
As for the salaf in terms of time:
They are exclusively the three favored generations.
Those for whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) testified to their excellence.
As in the hadith of 'Imran Ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him).
He said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"The best of my Ummah is my generation,
then those who follow them,
then those who follow them."
Thus, the salaf are the people of the three generations.
And those who come after them are the khalaf (later generations).
As for the salaf in the second consideration:
It includes everyone who follows their path.
In creed and action until the Day of Resurrection.
Among their other names are:
The People of Athar and the People of Hadith.
And other noble titles.
Which indicate the soundness of this great methodology.
The characteristics and merits of the salaf over others.
Our righteous salaf, may the mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon them.
Possess virtues by which they were favored.
And merits by which they were distinguished.
Among their greatest merits and virtues,
which set them apart from others, is:
First:
That they are from the favored generations.
About whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
"The best of my Ummah is my generation,
then those who follow them,
then those who follow them."
This excellence is manifest in their deeds and their character,
their sincerity and their creed.
It is impossible for those who came after them
to reach their station.
Second: Their proximity to the Prophetic era,
and the divine revelation.
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
enjoined the people and the Ummah to follow these favored generations.
Al-Tirmidhi recorded in his Sunan,
and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak,
from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said:
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
"I enjoin you to follow my Companions,
then those who follow them,
then those who follow them."
"I enjoin you to follow my Companions,
then those who follow them,
then those who follow them."
Meaning the followers of the Tabi'un.
The Prophet (peace be upon him)
only enjoined us to follow these favored generations
so that we might adhere to their methodology,
walk in their footsteps,
and emulate their traditions.
Fourth:
That they inherited knowledge, the Sharia, and the religion
through close succession; for the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them)
took it from the Prophet (peace be upon him)
directly, without intermediary.
The Tabi'un took it from the noble Companions,
fresh and pure.
And the followers of the Tabi'un took it from the Tabi'un,
sweet and refreshing.
They did not take them from the deviations of the innovators,
or the nonsense of the Sufis.
Rather, their hearts were pure,
their goals were noble,
and their aspirations were high.
These characteristics of this unique generation,
and these merits of these blessed centuries,
made their generation and their society
the greatest, best, and purest society on the face of the earth.
They acted according to the Sharia of their Lord,
and were harmonious and loving among themselves,
and safe from innovations and whims.
The life of the salaf,
between word and deed.