What is meant by "the majority of the Salaf," and "linguistically and terminologically," and "the imams of the religion," and "the madhhab of the Salaf," and what is the difference between "the Salaf and the Khalaf," and what is meant by "Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" and "Ahl al-Ilm"?

The term "Salaf" refers to the Companions (Sahabah), then the Successors (Tabi'un), and then their successors. "Their majority" means most of them. The "Imams of the religion" (A'immat al-Din) are its scholars and those knowledgeable about it, who are taken as examples to be followed. The "Madhab of the Salaf" (school of thought of the Salaf) refers to their sayings derived from the Quran and Sunnah. Linguistically, "madhab" is the place one goes to, and it was metaphorically applied to the sayings of the Imams. The Salaf are the Companions, the Successors, and their successors. The "Khalaf" are those who came after them. Every generation is considered Salaf to the one after it and Khalaf to the one before it. "Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah" (People of the Sunnah and the Community) refers to those who adhere to the Quran and Sunnah in word, deed, and conduct, and who are united upon that. "Ahl al-Ilm" (People of Knowledge) in the Sharia sciences are those who possess knowledge of the Quran and Sunnah, and they are of varying ranks.