- Category: SALAF SALIHEEN
- Language: ENGLISH
- Format: PDF
This booklet is based on the views of the Noble Scholars of the Deen, one amongst them being Sheikh Muhammad Nasir- Deen Al-Albaani (d.1420A.H) -Rahimullaah. In reply to the question : Who were the Salaf?, the Sheikh said:
‘The Salaf as-Salih includes the three generations about whom the Messenger -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- testified regarding their goodness in a Hadeeth whose authenticity is agreed upon. Rather this Hadeeth has reached the level of Mutawwatir due its many chains in the Saheeh of Muslim and other than them from a great deal of the Companions, that the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- said:
‘The best people are my generation then those who will come after them and then those after them…….’
So the three generations whose goodness has been testified are the ones who are intended by being the Salaf as-Salih.’
The Salaf as-Salih were the first generations deeply rooted upon knowledge, guided with the guidance of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam, preservers of his Sunnah, Allaah Ta’ala chose them for the companionship of his Prophet. Allaah selected them to establish His Deen and was pleased with them to be the Imams of the Ummah, and they rightfully fought Jihad in the path of Allaah, they exerted themselves in advising the Ummah and benefiting them and they sacrificed themselves for the pleasure of Allaah.
Indeed, Allaah was pleased with them and they were pleased with their Lord. That path of the believers is the scale and measurement which distinguishes between the Muslim who ascribes himself by speech to the Book and the Sunnah, and then perhaps he opposes the Book and the Sunnah by not returning to that perfection, which prevents opposing the Book and the Sunnah and that is none other than adhering to what the Companions of the Prophet -sallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam- were upon.’
