The ruling on claiming affiliation with the Salaf by saying, "I am a Salafi"
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Question:
Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: What is the ruling on claiming affiliation with the Salaf by saying, "I am a Salafi," with the intention of merely stating a fact, not self-praise, given the prevalence of those who oppose the methodology of the righteous Salaf and the multiplication of sects and groups?
Answer:
If this is a matter of self-praise, it is not permissible. However, if there is a reason for it—if his affiliation with the Salaf and his saying "I am a Salafi" has a reason, such as being in a place where these methodologies or these schools of thought are discussed, and he says, "No, I am on the methodology of the Salaf, or I am a Salafi, and I am disavowed of these things"—then there is a reason, and there is no harm. But saying it as a form of boasting and self-praise without a reason is not permissible. The countries, and praise be to Allah, these countries are all on the methodology of the Salaf, and praise be to Allah, they are all on the methodology of the Salaf. Even if one finds among them someone who opposes it or has deviated, that is rare. But the criterion is the general rule: the general state of the countries, praise be to Allah, is on the methodology of the Salaf. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you
Honorable Shaykh, this questioner says: What is the ruling on claiming affiliation with the Salaf by saying, "I am a Salafi," with the intention of merely stating a fact, not self-praise, given the prevalence of those who oppose the methodology of the righteous Salaf and the multiplication of sects and groups?
Answer:
If this is a matter of self-praise, it is not permissible. However, if there is a reason for it—if his affiliation with the Salaf and his saying "I am a Salafi" has a reason, such as being in a place where these methodologies or these schools of thought are discussed, and he says, "No, I am on the methodology of the Salaf, or I am a Salafi, and I am disavowed of these things"—then there is a reason, and there is no harm. But saying it as a form of boasting and self-praise without a reason is not permissible. The countries, and praise be to Allah, these countries are all on the methodology of the Salaf, and praise be to Allah, they are all on the methodology of the Salaf. Even if one finds among them someone who opposes it or has deviated, that is rare. But the criterion is the general rule: the general state of the countries, praise be to Allah, is on the methodology of the Salaf. Yes.
The presenter:
May Allah reward you
Source
قناة «العلامة الدكتور صالح الفوزان»، 30/30 شرح العقيدة السفارينية / صالح الفوزان — youtube.com (7:10)
The Arabic text is a machine transcription of the audio recording.