Salaf

التعريف

The Companions, the Tābi‘ūn (their followers), and the Atbā‘ at-Tābi‘īn (the followers of the followers). The Prophet ﷺ said: 'The best of mankind is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them.' (Bukhārī 2652)

النطق: SA-laf

الاشتقاق والجذر

From the root س-ل-ف (s-l-f), meaning 'to precede.' The Salaf are 'those who went before' — the predecessors of this Ummah in knowledge and piety.

الاستخدام في القرآن

'And the first forerunners — the Muhājirūn and the Anṣār — and those who followed them with iḥsān, Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with Him.' (at-Tawbah 9:100)

ملاحظات علمية

Following the Salaf is not blind imitation — it is recognising that they understood the religion best, having received it directly from the Prophet ﷺ and his immediate students. Their consensus is binding; their disagreement is the boundary of legitimate ijtihād.

التطبيق العملي

Whenever you encounter a question of ‘aqīdah or manhaj, ask: 'Did the Salaf understand it this way?' If not, abandon the new understanding.

المزيد من Aqeedah Terms