The Salaf as-Salih are the first three generations whom the Prophet (ﷺ) explicitly praised: "The best of people is my generation, then those who follow them, then those who follow them." ([al-Bukhari 2652](/hadith/bukhari/2652), Muslim 2533). They are the Companions, the Tabi''un, and the Tabi'' at-Tabi''in. Following their understanding is obligatory because the Qur''an and Sunnah were revealed in their language, in their presence, and they witnessed the contexts of revelation; their consensus is a binding proof, and Allah promised His pleasure to them: "And the first to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun and the Ansar and those who followed them in good conduct — Allah is pleased with them and they with Him." (at-Tawbah 9:100). Whoever interprets the texts in opposition to their understanding has departed from the safe path. This is why we say: every aqeedah, every methodology, every fiqh ruling must be weighed against what was upon among the Salaf. The path of the saved sect is what the Prophet (ﷺ) and his Companions were upon (Tirmidhi 2641, hasan).