The word "Salafi" was not applied during the time of the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions this being due to the fact that the Muslims were upon the correct Islaam and there was no need for a word such as "Salafi" at that time.
However, when the tribulations occurred and the sects increased and the Ummah split, the Ulamaa of the Ummaah stood to distinguish those upon the truth from those upon falsehood and hence they stated "Ahl us-Sunnah, Sunni, Ahl ul-Hadeeth, Atharee, Ashaab ul-Hadeeth, Ahl ul-Athaar and as- Salafi".
Imam Abu Haneefah (d. 150H) (rahimahullaah) said:
"Adhere to the athar (narration) and the tareeqah (way) of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and beware of newly invented matters for all of it is innovation."
(Reported by Imam As-Suyootee in Sawn al Mantaq wal- Kalaam p.32)
Based upon this "as- Salafi" is distinguished from all the various Islamic factions due to their ascription to what guarantees for them the correct and true Islaam, which is adherence to what the Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) and his companions were upon, as occurs in the authentic hadeeths.
In addition to that, the word "Salaf" was used by the Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) himself. He said to Faatimah, "How excellent a Salaf I am for you."
(Saheeh Muslim, no. 2450).
Imaam Muslim (rahimahullah) brings in his Muqaddimah to his Saheeh (p.16) the saying of Imam Abdullaah ibn al-Mubaarak (rahimahullah) which he would say in front of all the people, "Abandon the hadeeths of Amr bin Thaabit, for he used to abuse the Salaf".
Shaykh Saalih al- Fawzaan (hafidahullah) said:
"And how can making one's madhhab that of the Salaf be an innovation, an astray innovation?! And how can it be an innovation when it is but the following of the madhhab of the Salaf, and following their madhhab is obligatory by the Book and the Sunnah, and truth and guidance?!"
(al-Bayaan p. 156).
"It is a must for every Muslim to follow the Book (Quran) and the Sunnah with the understanding of the Salaf us Salih (Sahabah).
