In the name of Allah the Most Gracious the Most Merciful

Intended meaning of the word ‘Salaf’

By Shaykh Ahmad bin Muhammad bin Saadiq an-Nijaar may Allah preserve him

This is taken from the book, “Fadlul Maqaal fi wujub ittiba’ as-Salaf al-Kiraam”. Shaykh Saalih bin Sa’ad as-Suhaymee checked and wrote an introduction to this book, may Allah preserve both of them. The shaykh writes:

The word “Salaf” is applied in two aspects:

First: from the aspect of time

Meaning, the word “salaf” is applied to people in a specific time period.

Second: from the aspect of belief

Meaning, whoever is in agreement with the Sahaba’s (may Allah be pleased with them) belief system and the rest of their methodology.

Those who attribute themselves to this are known as “salafi”

Translated by: Michael AbdusSalaam Deonarain

الفقير الى الله