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Assalamualaikum warohmatullahi wabarokatuhu.

Allah Has Named us Muslims, So Why Ascribe Ourselves to the Salaf? 

This doubt was very beautifully answered by Imam al-Albaani rahimahullahuta'ala in his discussion with someone on this subject, recorded on the cassette entitled, "I am Salafi", and here is a presentation of the vital parts of it:

Syaikh al-Albaani: "When it is said to you, `What is your madhhab`, what is your reply?"

Questioner         : "A Muslim".

Syaikh al-Albaani: "This is not sufficient!"

Questioner       : "Allaah has named us Muslims" and he recited the saying of Allaah Most High, "He is the one who has called you Muslims beforehand." (al-Hajj 22:78)

Syaikh al-Albaani: "This would be a correct answer if we were in the very first  times (of Islam) before the sects had appeared and spread. But if we were to ask, now, any Muslim  from any of these sects with which we differ on account of aqeedah, his answer would not be any different to this word. All of them - the Shi'ite Rafidi (Syiah Rafidoh), the Khaariji, the Nusayri Alawi - would say, "I am a Muslim". Hence, this is not sufficient in these days."

Questioner         : "In that case I say, I am a Muslim upon the Book and the Sunnah."

Syaikh al-Albaani: "This is not sufficient either".

Questioner         : Why?"

Syaikh al-Albaani: "Do you find any of those whom we have just mentioned by way of example saying, `I am a Muslim who is not upon the Book and the Sunnah`?" Who is the one who says,`I am not upon the Book and the Sunnah?"

At this point the Shaikh then began to explain in detail the importance of being upon the Book and the Sunnah in light of the understanding of the Salaf us-Saalih...

Questioner        : "In that case I am a Muslim upon the Book and the Sunnah with the understanding of the Salaf us-Saalih".

Syaikh al-Albaani: "When a person asks you about your madhhab, is this what you will say to him?"

Questioner         : "Yes".

Syaikh al-Albaani: "What is your view that we shorten this phrase in the language, since the best words are those that are few but indicated the desired intent, so we say, `Salafy`?"  End of quotation.

:: Hence, the point is that naming with "Muslim" or "Sunni" is not enough, since everyone will claim that. And Imam al-Albaani emphasised the importance of the truth being distinguished from the falsehoof - from the point of view of the basis of manhaj and aqeedah, and that is taking from the Salaf us-Saalih, as opposed to the various sects and groups whose understanding are based upon those of their mentors and leaders and not that of the Salaf, fundamentally.

** The "salaf us-Saalih" are shohabah: Abu Bakar as-Siddiq radhiallahu'anhu, 'Umar ibn Khattab radhiallahu'anhu, 'Usman ibn Affan radhiallahu'anhu, 'Ali ibn Abi Thoolib radhiallahu'anhu.