Salaf
Encyclopedia : S : SA : SAL : Salaf
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Vocabulary of Islam |
Salaf or Salaf as-Ṣālih (Arabic: ) can be variously translated as "(righteous) predecessors" or "(righteous) ancestors." In Islamic terminology, it is generally used to refer to the first three generations of Muslims:
Ṣaḥābah: (Arabic: الصحابه, "The Companions") The companions of the Prophet Muhammad, who had met or had seen him while in a state of īmān, and then died on that state
Tāba'īn: (Arabic: التابعين, "The Successors") Those who had met or had seen the Ṣaḥabah while in a state of īmān (belief), and then died on that state.
at-Taba' at-Tāba'īn: (Arabic: التبع التابعين, "The Successors of the Successors") Those who had met or had seen the Tāba'īn while in a state of īmān, and then died on that state.
In a ḥadīth (prophetic tradition), the Prophet Muhammad says of the Salaf, "The best people are those living in my generation, then those coming after them, and then those coming after (the second generation)." (Bukhārī [link])
Following is an incomplete alphabetical list of the Salaf.
Usage of the Word in the Qur'an
The word salaf is mentioned in the Qur'an only in the following verses:
"When they angered Us, We punished them and drowned them every one. And We made them a thing past (salafan), and an example for those after." (43:55-56)
"Tell those who disbelieve that if they cease (from persecution of believers) that which is past (salafa) will be forgiven them; but if they return (thereto) then the example of the men of old hath already gone (before them, for a warning). And fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is all for God. But if they cease, then lo! God is Seer of what they do." (8:38-39)