When does the era of the later generations and the era of the Khalaf begin?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: You mentioned in your speech the era of the later generations and the era of the Khalaf. The question is: When does the era of the later generations and the era of the Khalaf begin?

Answer:
It begins after the preferred centuries, after the fourth century. You might say that the Khawarij and the Shi'ah existed, and the Qadariyyah existed, during the preferred centuries? We say: Yes, they existed, but they were suppressed and their doctrine was not manifest. However, when the preferred centuries ended, they displayed their doctrines to the people, and things happened from them. The creed of the Salaf was displaced, and the creeds of the theologians and the rationalists were brought in after the preferred centuries, until Allah enabled some of the renewing imams, such as Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and his students Ibn al-Qayyim and Ibn Kathir.
And Ibn Rajab and their followers from the reformers, Shaykh Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab and his students and followers, Allah enabled the methodology of the Salaf to be supported and made manifest. The era of the Khalaf begins with the end of the blessed centuries. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

The presenter:
May Allah reward you