--- layout: post publisher: alsalafiyyah@icloud.com date: 2026-04-26 hijri: "Dhu al-Qidah 9, 1447 AH" title: "Who Are The Salaf" source: "Fatawa Nur ala Ad-Darb, Tape no. 175" category: [fatwas,audios,manhaj] url: "https://binothaimeen.net/s/gmkXp3oG" mp3: "https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/Lw_175_18.mp3" active: audios featured: true summary: "Al-Salaf al-Salih (the Pious Predecessors) are the Sahabah (Companions) and those who followed their path among the Tabi’un (Successors) and the Atba’ al-Tabi’un (Successors of the Successors)." muftis: shaykh: - name: Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen url: /biography/uthaymeen/ --- ### Question: This is a female listener from Riyadh with a group of questions. In her first question, she asks: "I hear about the Salaf; who are the Salaf, O virtuous Shaykh? ### Answer: "Salaf" linguistically means "predecessors." Therefore, anyone who precedes another is considered a salaf to them. However, when the term "Al-Salaf" is used in a specific Islamic context, it refers to the three favored generations: the Companions (Sahaba), the Successors (Tabi’un), and those who followed the Successors. These are the Pious Predecessors (Al-Salaf al-Salih). ​Anyone who came after them and followed their methodology (manhaj) is considered to be like them—upon the way of the Salaf—even if they are chronologically distant from that era. This is because Salafiyyah refers to the methodology traversed by the Pious Predecessors (may Allah be pleased with them), as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: **"Indeed, my nation will split into seventy-three sects, all of which are in the Fire except one, and that is the Jama'ah (the main body of Muslims)."** And in another narration: **"Those who follow what I and my companions are upon today."** Accordingly, Salafiyyah in this context is defined by its methodology. Thus, anyone who adheres to the path of the Companions, the Successors, and those who followed them in righteousness is a Salafi, even if they live in our current era—the fourteenth century after the Hijrah (AH). --- Fatwas from the "Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta'" of KSA : ### Who are the Salaf? The Salaf are "Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah [^2]" who follow Muhammad ﷺ, consisting of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and those who follow their path until the Day of Resurrection. When the Prophet ﷺ was asked about 'Al-Firqah Al-Najiyah' (the Saved Sect), he said: 'They are those who are upon the like of what I and my companions are upon today.' [^3] [^4] ### What is Salafiyyah? Salafiyyah is an attribution to the Salaf. The Salaf are the companions of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ and the leaders of guidance from the first three preferred generations (may Allah be pleased with them). These are the ones for whom the Messenger of Allah ﷺ testified to their goodness in his saying: "The best of people are my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them. Then there will come people whose testimony precedes their oath and whose oath precedes their testimony." [^5]. And Salafis (As-Salafiyyun): This is the plural of "Salafi," which is an attribution to the Salaf (as defined above). They are those who follow the methodology (Manhaj) of the Salaf in adhering to the Quran and the Sunnah, calling people to them, and acting upon them. By doing so, they are the Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah. [^6] ### What are the foundations and principles of the Salafi Da'wah? The Salafi Da'wah is the call to that which the Messenger ﷺ, his companions (may Allah be pleased with them), and those who followed them in righteousness were upon. This is done through wisdom, fair preaching, and arguing in a way that is best, while also striving against one's own self (Jihad al-Nafs) to act upon what one calls others to. [^7] [^1]: Fatawa Nur Ala ad-Darb by Ibn 'Uthaymeen, tape no.370-14. [^2]: Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah: "They are, whoever is upon the like of what Muhammad bin Abdullah ﷺ and his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) were upon." (Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 4143, Question 2). [^3]: Sunan at-Tirmidhi [Book on faith] 2641. [^4]: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 6149, Question 2. [^5]: Musnad Ahmad 4/426, 4/427, 4/479; Al-Bukhari [Fath-ul-Bari] no. 2651, 3650, 6428, and 6695; Muslim no. 2535; Abu Dawud no. 4657; and Al-Tirmidhi, nos. 2222, 2223. [^6]: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA, Fatwa no. 1361, Question 2. [^7]: Fatwas of the Permanent Committee of KSA 12/241, Fatwa no. 6265, Question 1.