Explanation of the author's statement: "And following the path of the earliest predecessors from among the emigrants and the helpers"

The Shaykh : He said: "And among the methodology of the people of the Sunnah is following the path of the earliest predecessors from among the emigrants and the helpers". This is because these earliest predecessors from among the emigrants and the helpers are closer to the truth than those who came after them. The further people are from the era of the Prophethood, the further they are from the truth, and the closer people are to the era of the Prophethood, the closer they are to the truth. And the more a person is eager to know the biography of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Rightly Guided Caliphs, the closer he is to the truth, because one who knows these biographies is as if he lived among them. So even if he is later in time, he is earlier in status, because he lives among the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Rightly Guided Caliphs. But we are speaking about the eras, regardless of any individual in particular. So the further the era is, the further it is, what? From the correct path. This is why we see the disagreement of the nations; the disagreement of the Ummah after the time of the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and the Tabi'un, we see it is more widespread and more comprehensive in all matters. But the disagreement in their time was limited.
So among the methodology of the people of the Sunnah and the community is that they look at the path of the earliest predecessors from among the emigrants and the helpers and follow it, because following it leads to loving them, while they are closer to the correct path. This is in contrast to those who disdain this method and, seeking refuge in Allah, say: "They are men and we are men," and they do not care about their disagreement. It is as if the statement of Abu Bakr, 'Umar, 'Uthman, and 'Ali is like the statement of so-and-so and so-and-so from the later generations of the Ummah. This is an error, an error and misguidance. I am not saying that the statement of Abu Bakr, 'Umar, and 'Uthman takes precedence over the statement of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). No, but I say that their statement takes precedence over the statement of others without a doubt. They are closer to the correct path from several aspects: from the aspect of the faith they possess, the knowledge they possess, the sound understanding they possess, the piety and trustworthiness they possess, and their companionship with the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him). All these five aspects necessitate that their statement regarding the Shari'ah of Allah is closer to the correct path than those who came after them.
Now, for example, you find one of the people saying, "This is the statement of Abu Bakr, this is the statement of 'Umar." Good, what is the statement of Abu Bakr and 'Umar? Are they not men? Yes. Are they infallible? No. So their statement has no authority? What is the result? We do not say that their statement is a binding proof, but we say that their statement is closer to the correct path. And by Allah, if you considered the speech of the earliest predecessors from among the emigrants and the helpers, you would find that it is closer to the correct path, less forced, and deeper. As Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him) said. Indeed, the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: This was established in Sahih Muslim. So the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) made it clear that obedience to these two men is success, and success is the opposite of misguidance. Good.