BENEFIT 12: Is it an innovation to call oneself 'Salafi'?

When the Prophet ﷺ was on his death bed, he said to his daughter Fāṭimah raḍhiyallāhu ’anhā: ((ٱتقي ٱلله وٱصبري فنعم ٱلسلف أنا لك)) “Fear Allāh and be patient, for verily I am a blessed Salaf for you.” [Bukhari & Muslim] This proves that the word 'Salaf' is not an innovation. Furthermore, Imām As-Sam’āni (D. 465 H.) said in his book 'Al-Ansāb': “Salafi (سلفي)...is an ascription to the Salaf and taking on their way.” After quoting Imām As-Sam’āni’s speech, Imām Ibn Athīr (D. 606 H.) stated in his book 'Tahthīb Al-Ansāb', that: “A group [of scholars] were known by this [ascription].” Similarly, Al-Ḥāfidh Adh-Dhahabi, a well-known Muḥaddith of the 8th century Hijri, said in his book 'Siyar ‘Alām An-Nubalā': “As-Salafi (السلفي) with two Fat-ḥas (i.e. on the Seen and Faa respectively), he is the one upon the way of the Salaf.” He said regarding Imām Ad-Dāraquṭni: “The man neither entered into rhetoric nor argumentation and he never delved into it. Rather, he was Salafi.” He also said: “From the requirements of a Ḥāfidh (in ḥadīth) is being fearful of Allāh, intelligent, a grammarian, a linguist, pure in heart, and Salafi…” In fact, according to the consensus of the scholars, using this ascription is acceptable. Sheikhul Islām Ibn Taymiyyah raḥimahullāh said: “And there is no blame on the one who shows that he is upon the way of the Salaf, and ascribes to it. Rather it is obligatory to accept that by consensus, because verily the way of the Salaf is nothing but the truth.” Additionally, many of the contemporary scholars have demonstrated that the usage of this ascription is indeed permissible and that all Muslims should follow the way of the Salaf. For example: Sheikh ‘Abdul ‘Azīz Ibn Bāz raḥimahullāh said when asked about the saved sect: “They are the Salafis and everyone who traverses upon the way of the Salaf.” He also said: “Verily the Salaf are those from the virtuous generations. Therefore, the one who suffices with their narrations and traverses upon their way is a Salafi.” Sheikh Muḥammad Ibn Ṣāliḥ Al-‘Uthaimīn said in Liqā' Al-Bāb Al-Maftūḥ: “The Salafi is the one who traverses upon the way of the Salaf in his beliefs, statements and actions, wherever he may be. It is unlawful for us to divide the Muslims saying: This is a modernist, this is a Salafi and the likes of this. Rather it is compulsory upon everyone to be Salafi, not upon the basis of partisanship but rather because it is the truth. Allah said: “و السابقون الأولون من المهاجرين و الأنصار والذين اتبعوهم بإحسان رضي الله عنهم ورضوا عنه” “And the first forerunners in faith among the Muhajireen (emigrants) and the Ansaar (the helpers) and those who follow them in goodness Allah is pleased with them and they are pleased with him”. [9:100]” He also said in his explanation of Al-‘Aqīdah Al-Wāṣiṭiyyah: “Therefore, Ahlus-Sunnah Wal Jamā’ah they are upon the belief of the piouspredecessors, even those who come afterward until the day of judgment once they traverse the way of the Prophet ﷺ and his companions they are Salafi”. Sheikh Nāṣir Ad-Dīn Al-Albāni said: “But there are some who claim knowledge that dislike this ascription (to the Salaf) on the premise that it has no basis! So he says: “It is unlawful for a Muslim to say I am Salafi.” It is as if he is saying that it is unlawful for a Muslim to say that I follow the pious predecessors in their beliefs, worship and manners.” He also said: “And there is no doubt that the ascription that brings clarity and is distinct is to say I am a Muslim upon the book, the Sunnah who is upon the methodology of the pious predecessors, and it is to say in summary: I am Salafi.” Sheikh Muqbil Ibn Hādi Al-Wādi’ē said in his introduction to the book Irshād Al-Bariyyah: “I have searched through the topics of the book of our brother, the virtuous Sheikh, Ḥasan Ibn Qāsim Ar-Raymee called: “Irshād Al-Bariyyah ilā Shar’iyyah Al Intisāb ilā As-Salafiyyah,” and I