BENEFIT 175: Who is better; the early generations (Salaf) or the later generations (Khalaf)?

Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him, said: «ومن المعلوم بالضرورة لمن تدبر الكتاب والسنة، وما اتفق عليه أهل السنة والجماعة من جميع الطوائف أن خير قرون هذه الأمة، في الأعمال والأقوال والاعتقاد وغيرها من كل فضيلة أن خيرها، القرن الأول، ثم الذين يلونَهم ثم الذين يلونَهم، كما ثبت ذلك عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم من غير وجه، وأنّهم أفضل من الخلف في كل فضيلة من علم وعمل وإيمان وعقل ودين وبيان وعبادة، وأنّهم أولى بالبيان من كل مشكل، هذا لا يدفعه إلا من كابر المعلوم بالضرورة من دين الإسلام وأضله الله على علم». "It is known by necessity to anyone who reflects on the Qur'an and the Sunnah, and it is what all groups of Ahlus-Sunnah have unanimously agreed upon, that the best generations of this Ummah, in deeds, words, beliefs, and every virtue, are the first generation, followed by those who come after them, and then those who come after them, as has been established from the Prophet, peace be upon him, in multiple instances. They are superior to the later generations in every virtue, including knowledge, deeds, faith, intellect, religion, eloquence, and worship. They are more deserving of clarification regarding any ambiguity. This is undeniable except by someone who rejects what is necessarily known from the religion of Islam and whom Allah has misguided despite having knowledge." [Al-Majmū' (4/157)] @almanhajussalafi