He spoke on the principle: (The methodology of the Salaf is more knowledgeable and more wise, and the methodology of the Khalaf . . . .)

The Shaykh : So by what concept do we understand this religion? First, there are two concepts well known to many scholars who are aware of the disagreement between the scholars of the Salaf and the scholars of the Khalaf. There are two methodologies: one belonging to the Salaf and one belonging to the Khalaf. The methodology of the Salaf is what those who belong to the methodology of the Khalaf describe as "safer" (aslam), but they claim that the methodology of the Khalaf is more knowledgeable and more wise. So, do we return in our beliefs first to what the righteous Salaf were upon, or do we return to the methodology of these Khalaf who explicitly state that the methodology of the Salaf is safer, but the methodology of the Khalaf is wiser and more knowledgeable? There is no doubt that it becomes clear from the texts we mentioned that our obligation in this time, when we are surrounded on all sides, is to return first in our beliefs to what our righteous Salaf were upon, and then to return to what is below that in beliefs, meaning rulings, morals, and behavior. It is also necessary in all of that to return to what our righteous Salaf were upon, who did not accept any alternative to relying on the Book and the Sunnah when a disagreement occurs among the members of the Ummah, as our Lord, Mighty and Majestic, said in the Noble Qur'an: Today, with great regret, we do not find these groups and parties agreeing with us on taking this medicine, for there is no cure for Muslims in returning to their former glory and majesty except by returning to their religion. This point—that the medicine is returning to the religion of Islam—is a point on which there is no disagreement among any Muslim, regardless of his orientation, party, or grouping. But the disagreement, with great regret, is in the understanding of this religion. As we mentioned, there are two methodologies: the methodology of the Salaf and the methodology of the Khalaf. The Salaf did not differ in the fundamentals. First, they did not differ in the fact that the reference in case of disagreement is the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him). They used to judge by these two sources and submit to them completely, as we mentioned in the recitation of the previous verse regarding this. However, there was disagreement among them due to the primary cause mentioned earlier, which is that some of them did not receive the hadith from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), so they would exercise independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) and fall into error without intending it. Therefore, he (peace and blessings be upon him) said in the authentic hadith: Therefore, it is necessary for these Muslims to return to this principle in which there should be no disagreement, which is understanding the Book and the Sunnah as the righteous Salaf did. If we pay attention to this system and make it our methodology and path, cooperating first to understand it and second to apply it, then here comes the important and very important matter, which is the summary of the answer to this question, namely the way to rise.