المعنى الاصطلاحي :

The prominent scholars who are well-known for their leadership and virtue from among the Prophet's Companions, their successors, the followers of their successors, and those who follow them in a best way until the Day of Resurrection.

الشرح المختصر :

The "salaf" (predecessor), in general, is the one who is followed by his followers in his madhhab (school of thought), and they follow in his footsteps. However, it is usually used to refer to the Prophet's Companions, their successors, and those who followed them of the great scholars who have been followed by people and are well-known for their knowledge and religious leadership, God consciousness, and outward and inward piety; not those who committed innovations in the religion or have been branded with heretic titles and who have deviated from the way of Ahl-us-Sunnah wa al-Jamā‘ah, such as the "Khawārij" (Kharijites), the "Rawāfid" (the Shiites), the Qadariyyah, the Murji’ah, the Jahmiyyah, the Mu‘tazilah (Mu‘tazilites), and all other deviant groups. It is not blameworthy to declare one's affiliation and adherence to the way of the Salaf, it is rather imperative, because the way of Salaf is the true way.

التعريف اللغوي المختصر :

"Salaf": one's forefathers and relatives who preceded him in age and virtue. Derived from "salafa", which means preceded and elapsed.