WHO ARE THE REAL SALAF?

The Salaf (predecessors, forerunners, pioneers) is the first three generations of Muslims, as narrated by At-Tirmithiyy:
خير الناس قرني ثم الذين يلونهم ثم الذين يلونهم
“The best of the people are from my century, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.” They are the Muslims of the first three hundred years. In general, the Muslims of the Salaf are better than those who come after them. We say “in general”, because it is possible to find someone from the khalaf (era after the Salaf) who is better than an individual from the Salaf. It was the time of the four pious, rightly guided caliphs: Abuw Bakr, 3Umar, 3Uthmaan, 3Aliyy. Add to that list Al-Hasan and 3Umar Ibn 3Abdi-l-3Aziyz (may Allaah be pleased with all of them). The schools of fiqh were established, and four remain since then- the followers of the great Salafiyy mujtahids, Abuw Haniyfah, Maalik, Ash-Shaafi3iyy, and Ahmad Ibn Hanbal. The books of hadiyth were compiled during this time. It was the time of the greatest scholars of hadiyth, namely Al-Bukhaariyy, Muslim, At-Tirmithiyy, Abuw Daawuwd, An-Nasaa’iyy and Ibn Maajah. Also during this time, the great scholars of 3aqiydah emerged, Abu-l-Hasan Al-Ash3ariyy and Abuw Mansuwr Al-Maaturiydiyy. The Muslims were regarded as the people of knowledge and piety. Because of the work that the great scholars of the Salaf did, the Muslims after them had a facilitated ease in terms of learning Islaam