The Label of Salafiyyah on the Scale

It has become customary to describe a certain group of Muslims as Salafis, and that this name does not extend to other Muslims. The question here is: If Islam and Salafiyyah are one and the same, and there is no difference between the label of a Salafi and a Muslim, and accordingly, just as in Islam there is a committed Muslim, a sinful Muslim, and an innovating Muslim,So is it possible to say: there is a committed Salafi, a sinful Salafi, and an innovating Salafi. We might even describe a sinful singer as a Muslim, but can we call this sinful singer a Salafi?

First: We must know that a Salafi is not confined to a specific group. Whoever holds fast to the methodology of the Salaf is a Salafi, whether his time was early or late.

And as for making it a specific category, we say: These are Salafis and these are rationalists; that is a mistake. But let it be known that among the scholars, some emphasize the aspect of reason, while others emphasize the aspect of the Shari'ah. Therefore, you will find in books of jurisprudential disagreement that when they wish to speak about the followers of Abu Hanifah (may Allah have mercy on them), they describe them as "the people of opinion," because they have the people of evidence and the people of opinion.

So take this rule: A Salafi is one who holds fast to the methodology of the Salaf, and it is not restricted to a specific sect.And it is not permissible to classify people and say: These are Salafis and these are rationalists, or something similar to that.

I say: A Salafi is one who adopts the methodology of the Salaf in creed, speech, and action, in any place.And it is not correct to divide the Muslims and say: This is a rationalist, and this is a Salafi, or something similar to that. Rather, it is obligatory for everyone to be Salafis, not as a partisan issue—no—but because it is the truth.Allah, Mighty and Majestic, said: [At-Tawbah: 100] .