Why do we follow the Pious Predecessors? Please explain.

We follow the righteous predecessors (al-Salaf al-Salih), who are the noble Companions and those Imams of Islam who followed them, for several reasons: they possessed the purest hearts and the most knowledge among this Ummah. Allah Himself praised them and promised them Paradise. Furthermore, they witnessed the revelation (tanzil) and were most knowledgeable about the objectives of Sharia. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, testified that they were the best of generations. Following them is the only path to salvation when the Ummah disperses, as stated in the hadith: "what I and my Companions are upon."