analysis of the semantic basis of ibn teymiyye in the concept of salaf, regarding narrative attributes

abstractibn teymiyye, to declare his new subjects and controversial judicial decrees (fatwas), had to change the concept of some terms and define them in a way that using those concepts he could issue his desirable judicial decrees based on his ijtihad. the most important term whose meaning was changed by ibn teymiyye is: salaf (all the earl muslims). according to him the term salaf only includes people who lived in the age near to the century when the holy prophet lived; in this way he restricted the concept of salaf. according to this theory, foghahaa (islamic jurists) and islamic scholars descendent to salaf are excluded from the circle of people who understand religious texts and the holy book, and should correct their understanding in accordance with salafs understanding, because only salafs possess the superior understanding. present research, through the documents that will be presented, analyses fundamental basis of ibn teymiyye in discussing mentioned concept, and demonstrates that islamic scholars throughout history understand this term much more precisely than ibn teymiyye; and that his interpretation of this term is not only incorrect but a mistaken manipulation of the meaning.