The methodology of the Salafi call is following the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) alone, while respecting the imams of the schools of jurisprudence, recognizing their status, and following them when they agree with the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The Shaykh : So, since it is necessary to return to a leader to follow, the one we follow is Muhammad (may Allah’s prayers and peace be upon him). This does not mean that we do not value the words of the imams, but it means that we do not follow the imams for their own sake or their personal status. As for the Messenger, we follow him for his own sake; so if he says a word, we do not question him about it at all. But if an imam among the imams of the Muslims, let alone a late scholar among the scholars, says something, we are not of the school of those who say: “Whoever says to his shaykh: ‘Why?’ will never succeed!!” We say to him: “Why?” If any scholar says something, we say to him: “Why? What is the evidence? What is the proof from the Book and the Sunnah?” This is because we are commanded to follow the Book and the Sunnah. This is a distinguishing point and an important divider between us Salafis, who value the imams, and their followers who—also—share our valuation of the imams, but in our belief, they grant them a distinction that Allah (Mighty and Majestic) has not granted to any human being except Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).