WEBVTT 00:00:00.820 --> 00:00:03.819 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:03.819 --> 00:00:07.259 The lives of the salaf. 00:00:07.259 --> 00:00:09.259 Between word and deed. 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:13.519 By Shaykh Ahmad Ibn Nasir al-Tayr. 00:00:13.519 --> 00:00:18.109 Defining the salaf. 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. 00:00:24.300 --> 00:00:27.300 During the three favored generations. 00:00:27.300 --> 00:00:33.399 This term is also applied to anyone who follows their guidance and treads their path. 00:00:33.399 --> 00:00:36.399 Even if they appear many centuries later. 00:00:36.399 --> 00:00:40.399 Such a person is called a Salafi, in attribution to them. 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:45.530 This name was indeed used during the three favored generations. 00:00:45.530 --> 00:00:48.530 However, it was not widely known or commonly used. 00:00:48.530 --> 00:00:50.530 Contrary to those who deny this. 00:00:50.530 --> 00:00:55.299 And claim that it did not exist until after their time. 00:00:55.299 --> 00:00:58.299 The term "salaf" has two considerations. 00:00:58.299 --> 00:01:01.299 A consideration of time and a consideration of creed. 00:01:01.299 --> 00:01:04.299 As for the salaf in terms of time: 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:07.299 They are exclusively the three favored generations. 00:01:07.299 --> 00:01:12.299 Those for whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) testified to their excellence. 00:01:12.299 --> 00:01:16.299 As in the hadith of 'Imran Ibn Husayn (may Allah be pleased with him). 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:18.299 He said: 00:01:18.299 --> 00:01:21.299 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:23.299 "The best of my Ummah is my generation, 00:01:23.299 --> 00:01:26.299 then those who follow them, 00:01:26.299 --> 00:01:29.299 then those who follow them." 00:01:29.299 --> 00:01:32.489 Thus, the salaf are the people of the three generations. 00:01:32.489 --> 00:01:35.709 And those who come after them are the khalaf (later generations). 00:01:35.709 --> 00:01:38.709 As for the salaf in the second consideration: 00:01:38.709 --> 00:01:41.709 It includes everyone who follows their path. 00:01:41.709 --> 00:01:44.709 In creed and action until the Day of Resurrection. 00:01:44.709 --> 00:01:47.870 Among their other names are: 00:01:47.870 --> 00:01:50.870 The People of Athar and the People of Hadith. 00:01:50.870 --> 00:01:53.870 And other noble titles. 00:01:53.870 --> 00:01:56.870 Which indicate the soundness of this great methodology. 00:02:00.209 --> 00:02:03.209 The characteristics and merits of the salaf over others. 00:02:03.209 --> 00:02:06.530 Our righteous salaf, may the mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon them. 00:02:06.530 --> 00:02:09.530 Possess virtues by which they were favored. 00:02:09.530 --> 00:02:12.530 And merits by which they were distinguished. 00:02:12.530 --> 00:02:15.659 Among their greatest merits and virtues, 00:02:15.659 --> 00:02:18.659 which set them apart from others, is: 00:02:18.659 --> 00:02:20.659 First: 00:02:20.659 --> 00:02:23.659 That they are from the favored generations. 00:02:23.659 --> 00:02:26.659 About whom the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: 00:02:26.659 --> 00:02:29.659 "The best of my Ummah is my generation, 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:32.659 then those who follow them, 00:02:32.659 --> 00:02:35.780 then those who follow them." 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:38.780 This excellence is manifest in their deeds and their character, 00:02:38.780 --> 00:02:41.780 their sincerity and their creed. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:44.780 It is impossible for those who came after them 00:02:44.780 --> 00:02:47.939 to reach their station. 00:02:47.939 --> 00:02:50.939 Second: Their proximity to the Prophetic era, 00:02:50.939 --> 00:02:54.099 and the divine revelation. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:57.099 The Prophet (peace be upon him) 00:02:57.099 --> 00:03:00.099 enjoined the people and the Ummah to follow these favored generations. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:03.099 Al-Tirmidhi recorded in his Sunan, 00:03:03.099 --> 00:03:06.099 and Al-Hakim in his Mustadrak, 00:03:06.099 --> 00:03:09.099 from 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: 00:03:09.099 --> 00:03:12.099 The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: 00:03:12.099 --> 00:03:15.099 "I enjoin you to follow my Companions, 00:03:15.099 --> 00:03:18.099 then those who follow them, 00:03:18.099 --> 00:03:21.139 then those who follow them." 00:03:22.139 --> 00:03:25.139 "I enjoin you to follow my Companions, 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:28.139 then those who follow them, 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:31.139 then those who follow them." 00:03:31.139 --> 00:03:34.139 Meaning the followers of the Tabi'un. 00:03:34.139 --> 00:03:37.360 The Prophet (peace be upon him) 00:03:37.360 --> 00:03:40.360 only enjoined us to follow these favored generations 00:03:40.360 --> 00:03:43.360 so that we might adhere to their methodology, 00:03:43.360 --> 00:03:46.360 walk in their footsteps, 00:03:46.360 --> 00:03:49.360 and emulate their traditions. 00:03:49.360 --> 00:03:52.780 Fourth: 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:55.780 That they inherited knowledge, the Sharia, and the religion 00:03:55.780 --> 00:03:58.780 through close succession; for the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) 00:03:58.780 --> 00:04:01.780 took it from the Prophet (peace be upon him) 00:04:01.780 --> 00:04:04.780 directly, without intermediary. 00:04:04.780 --> 00:04:07.780 The Tabi'un took it from the noble Companions, 00:04:07.780 --> 00:04:10.780 fresh and pure. 00:04:10.780 --> 00:04:13.780 And the followers of the Tabi'un took it from the Tabi'un, 00:04:13.780 --> 00:04:16.779 sweet and refreshing. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:19.779 They did not take them from the deviations of the innovators, 00:04:19.779 --> 00:04:22.779 or the nonsense of the Sufis. 00:04:22.779 --> 00:04:25.779 Rather, their hearts were pure, 00:04:25.779 --> 00:04:28.810 their goals were noble, 00:04:28.810 --> 00:04:31.810 and their aspirations were high. 00:04:31.810 --> 00:04:34.810 These characteristics of this unique generation, 00:04:34.810 --> 00:04:37.810 and these merits of these blessed centuries, 00:04:37.810 --> 00:04:40.810 made their generation and their society 00:04:40.810 --> 00:04:43.810 the greatest, best, and purest society on the face of the earth. 00:04:43.810 --> 00:04:46.810 They acted according to the Sharia of their Lord, 00:04:46.810 --> 00:04:49.810 and were harmonious and loving among themselves, 00:04:49.810 --> 00:04:52.810 and safe from innovations and whims. 00:04:52.810 --> 00:04:57.250 The life of the salaf, 00:04:57.250 --> 00:05:00.629 between word and deed.