The Shaykh’s response to the objection that the Salafi call is a recent innovation and that the earliest figure it is attributed to is the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him).

'Aid al-'Abassi: Some may say that it is a recent, new call, and that the earliest figure it is attributed to is the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, followed by Ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab in the modern era. This is a mistaken idea; indeed, it is false. The Salafi call is the call of true Islam itself, the call of the Book and the Sunnah brought by Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), who was the seal of the calls, the last of the Shari'ahs, and the seal of the prophets. It was not called by that name before because there was no need for it. The early Muslims were upon true Islam, so there was no need, nor any impetus, to speak of "Salafi Islam" or the "Salafi call." This is similar to other sciences, such as the Arabic sciences. People used to speak fluent Arabic without error or defect, so there was no need to establish the rules of grammar or the terminology of grammar, language, and rhetoric, because they were known by natural instinct. Likewise, the Salafi call: people were upon it, and there was no deviation or... But it began to appear gradually when other ideas began to come into existence and when these foreign cultures began to influence Muslims, affecting some of them and making things that contradict Islam in creed attractive to others. At that time, the imams of the Muslims, from the Companions and the Tabi'un and those after them, began to point out the danger of these foreign elements and the danger of these innovations. The call would appear and strengthen gradually as these... increased, and as these absurdities that influenced Muslims increased. Among the most prominent to distinguish and clarify this call with clarity was the Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, when the fitnah of the creation of the Qur'an appeared in his time. They tried to force all people to accept this false, innovative idea. He stood firm with that ideal steadfastness and took that brave, wonderful stance. He was with the Muslims in their steadfastness, sacrificing their lives, while the Mu'tazilah were in another camp opposing them. Thus, the two calls were distinguished, and the original path became clear between the two directions: the direction of... and the people of opinion (Ahl al-Ra'y), who prioritize reason over transmitted texts, who do not give weight to the texts of the Book and the Sunnah, nor to the methodology of the righteous Salaf, and those who make the Book and the Sunnah the foundation, and make the guidance of the righteous Salaf the foundation.
And so, the Salafi call began to be distinguished gradually as Muslims moved further away from their pure, true religion, and as foreign ideas and internal cultures encroached upon Islam, it would... and strengthen, and people would act upon it. In the time of the Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah, this had become severe, and the cultures and ideological deviations had expanded until they diverted most Muslims. Only a rare, small minority remained, alien to the society, who preserved the call of Islam and the Sunnah and adhered to the way of the righteous Salaf. At that time, the urgent need arose to clarify this call and distinguish it. The writings of the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him)... the religion... which he used to distinguish the true Islam that the Messenger... the righteous Salaf were upon. His books were a lighthouse... for those seeking guidance, and they were... between truth and falsehood. He established the proof against the opponents through debates, letters, books, and in gatherings. No argument remained for the stubborn except what is due to stubbornness and what is due to arrogance.
Therefore, during his time, this was distinguished and the name became prominent: the call of the Salaf, the methodology of the Salaf, and the way of the Salaf. Although these terms had also been used before him, I believe this famous verse on the creed according to the way of the Salaf was said before him: "Every good is in following those who came before, and every evil is in the innovation of those who came after". I think it was before the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him). This phrase is eloquent Arabic, so it appeared in their speech. But as I said, it became clearer and more focused in the case of the Shaykh al-Islam (may Allah have mercy on him). As I mentioned, Sufi ideas and their various paths, the ideas of the theologians, sectarian fanaticism, religious innovations, and weak and fabricated hadiths had taken control of the people. Thus, the distinctiveness of Islam became apparent, and it was seen to be in dire need of clarification and distinctness so that people would know the truth from falsehood, so that whoever perishes would perish with clear evidence, and whoever lives would live with clear evidence.
The students of the Imam Ibn Taymiyyah, such as Ibn al-Qayyim, Ibn Kathir, and others, continued this message and this call throughout the ages. But they were fought and oppressed. Some of them died in prisons, some were killed, and some were tortured. The material dominance in most eras was with the opponents, even though the spiritual dominance, the dominance of proof and evidence, was with the people of the Sunnah, in accordance with his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): The Shaykh al-Islam Muhammad ibn 'Abd al-Wahhab (may Allah have mercy on him) renewed this call in Najd when it was in deep darkness and when idolatry was controlling the lands. He was educated in the culture of the Shaykh al-Islam, took from him, read his books, and began to spread them and call to them. He suffered much harm and war as a result. But Allah (Mighty and Majestic) granted him success, along with the support of the early Saudi princes. As a result, this call appeared and influenced Muslims, reaching many countries, and it still has a presence in Saudi Arabia and other lands.