What is the difference between the methodology of the Tablighi Jamaat and the methodology of the Salafis?

The questioner : What is the difference between the Tablighi Jamaat and Salafism?

The Shaykh : The Tablighi Jamaat and what?

The questioner : Salafism.

The Shaykh : Salafism?

Another questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The difference between them is vast! It has been said in the past: "How far is the Pleiades from the dust? And how far is Mu'awiyah from 'Ali?" The Tablighi Jamaat do not call people to follow the Book and the Sunnah upon the methodology of the righteous predecessors (Salaf); rather, they may fight this call, as many other groups do, claiming that it divides rather than unites. In fact, they call people to adopt some Islamic morals—and this is undoubtedly one of their good points. Many of them, whom we know personally in some Islamic countries, are sincere. However, they have not known the path that leads to Allah (Blessed and Exalted is He), which is the path of the Book and the Sunnah, upon the way of our righteous predecessors. They explain to their followers the meaning of the good word in a brief manner, as I mentioned earlier; because this contradicts the reality of many of the Tablighi Jamaat in some Islamic countries.
Here I want to mention something from my experience: The Tablighi Jamaat, like the Muslim Brotherhood, are similar in one respect, which is that the call of the Tablighi Jamaat is like the call of the Muslim Brotherhood—and peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings—and every call that belongs to Islam—welcome—no group on earth, among the Muslims who pray our prayer and face our qiblah, no one among them can deny being upon the Book and the Sunnah; for all of them claim to be upon the Book and the Sunnah. But the difference is that some claim it and strive to understand the Book—and peace be upon you—and strive with all their might to understand the Book and the Sunnah, then apply this understanding to themselves, their families, and those around them, and then spread it throughout the entire Islamic world. This description applies only to one group that truly belongs to the Book and the Sunnah and the methodology of the righteous predecessors. They are known by multiple names, all of which lead to one reality: the Book and the Sunnah and what the Companions were upon. In some countries, they call their call "the Salafi call." In other countries, those who belong to it are called "the people of hadith" or "the supporters of the Sunnah." Only these are the ones who realize this belonging to the Book and the Sunnah, and acting upon what came in them, and upon the methodology of the righteous predecessors, to the best of their ability. As for the other group, they have nothing of this call except the name. All of them say, "We are upon the Book and the Sunnah," and no one can disavow the Book and the Sunnah, otherwise they would exit the circle of Muslims.
So the Muslim Brotherhood, for example, differ from region to region. You find some of them are madhhab-based or Sufi, and you find—sometimes—among them Salafis in creed. Likewise, the Tablighi Jamaat are exactly the same. This is something I know personally about both groups. Whoever among them is a monotheist or Salafi in creed does not get this creed from the group to which he belongs. The Muslim Brotherhood do not have a unified creed that they make obligatory upon every member of the group. Likewise, the Tablighi Jamaat have absolutely nothing of this. Therefore, you find that both groups are a mixture of people from different schools of jurisprudence. You find among the Muslim Brotherhood: , and we have experienced a time when the Muslim Brotherhood were established and strong in Egypt, and there were some Shi'ah in their private office in the administration. So they gather in their circle every Muslim without distinguishing between one whose Islam is correct and one whose Islam is deviant.
Likewise, the Tablighi Jamaat are only concerned with preaching to people and disciplining them in honesty, avoiding lying, fulfilling trusts, and maintaining prayer in the mosques. These are good things without doubt, and no one fears them in these matters. But you find among them, as we mentioned about the Muslim Brotherhood, Why? Because these two groups do not have a scientific methodology that they call people to follow, as is the case with the groups we mentioned that are known by names. But their call—as Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said in some of his beautiful poetry:
"Knowledge is: Allah said, His Messenger said, *** The Companions said, it is not deception.
What knowledge has placed you in foolishness *** Between the Messenger and the opinion of a jurist
Nor is it denying the attributes and negating them *** Out of fear of denial of the divine attributes and likening Allah to creation.”
So anyone who opposes this Salafi methodology from the other groups, if something of this correct methodology is found in some of their individuals, it came to them from others and did not spring from their call. This is what we know, and this varies according to each country in which these groups go out for the call. If the country is one in which tawhid (the oneness of Allah) is famous, then the Tablighi Jamaat and the Muslim Brotherhood will have some understanding of the correct creed. As for sticking to the madhhab, each of them is satisfied and content with the madhhab he is upon, without being able to know what the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was upon in his worship and transactions.
This is what I can say now regarding that question. And peace be upon you, and Allah's mercy and blessings.