| Who are the Salaf and the obligation to follow them | Written by: Muhammad Ali Mazari | Important read | #CallToTawheed | #SalafiDawahPakistan |
Salaf in Arabic means predecessor, and In Islamic terminology it refers to the first three best generations of Muslims titled Sahābah, Tabieen (students of the Sahabah) and the Tabi al-Tabieen (followers of the students). Whom the Prophet ﷺ has declared the best (Sahih al-Bukhari 6429), has ordered us to follow them on the beliefs and Methadology they agreed upon (Tirmidhi 2165, Sahih), has said the Soundness of the entire Ummah meaning in religious understanding, beliefs and Methadology is within them (Sunan An Nasa'i 4191, Sahih), and said that the saved sect will be the one who is upon their beliefs (Tirmidhi 2641, classed as Hasan by Al Tirmidhi, Al Iraaqi, as Suyuti and Al Albani) and Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has established himself as the leader of the Salaf in Sahih al-Bukhari 6285, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ also said nobody loves them, except a Muslim and nobody hates them, except a Munafiq (hypocrite), and whoever loves them, Allah will love him, whoever hates them, Allah will hate him, found in Sahih al-Bukhaari 3572, Sahih Muslim 75, and Allah ﷻ has said, He is pleased with them in the Quran 9:100, promised them with forgiveness in 9:117 and has threatened those who follow a path other than the path of the Salaf with the fire in 4:115.
So for us, following the Salaf in their beliefs and Methadology and interpretation of the book and the Sunnah has indeed been obligated. And Allah knows best.