What is the difference between a Salafi and a Sunni?

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The word sunni derives from the word sunnah. Those of which who follow the sunnah of the prophet ﷺ call them selves sunni.

To follow the sunnah of the prophet it would mean we’d have to act upon what he said. Now lets see who he said was on haqq (truth) and who the best of people are in his ummah.

Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported: The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “The best people are those of my generation, then those who come after them, then those who come after them.”

Saḥīḥ al-Bukhārī 6065, Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 2533

Who are the generations mentioned?

The generations mentioned are:
1. The prophet ﷺ & The sahabah
2. The tabi’een (students of the sahabah)
3. The atba’ at-tabi’een (the students of the students of the sahabah)
They are collectively known as the salaf.

What is a Salafi?

A salafi is the one who follows those written above in belief, methodology, dawah, ‘ibaadah, manners, & character

Going back to what I said earlier a sunni is someone who follows the sunnah of the prophet ﷺ.
If the sunnah of the prophet ﷺ is to follow the salaf
We should aim to follow them to the best of our ability.

Imām al-Barbahārī (rahimahullāh, died 329 AH) stated: “Know that Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: “My ummah will divide into 73 sects, all of them will be in the Fire except for one, and that is the Jamā’ah.”

It was said, “And who are they, O Allah’s Messenger?” He (ﷺ) responded, “That which I and my Companions are upon today.”

So anyone who goes against what either the Quran Sunnah or the Salaf said then surely they have been misguided.

Allah ﷻ knows best

Another good thread https://twitter.com/sumayahqx_/status/1323018942982619141?s=20