A Salafi (Arabic سلفي lit. early muslim), from the Arabic world Salaf سلف (meaning predecessors or early generations), is a practictioner of Salafiyyah (Salafism). Modern usage from the Islamic phrase minhaj as-Salaf منهاج السلف, or method of the early Muslims. Also known as the Wahhabi branch of Islam.

The word Salaf means predecessors (or ancestors) and refers to the Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, the early Muslims who followed them, and the scholars of the first three generations of Muslims. They are also called - As Salafus Saalih (the Righteous Predecessors).

The Salafis view the first three generations of Muslims, who are the prophet Muhammad's Companions, and the two generation after them as perfect examples of how Islam should be lived and practiced. These three generations are often referred to as the Pious generations.

Islamic jurisprudence holds that, in order of precedence, the sources of Islamic law are : a) the Quran (the Muslim revealed scripture), b) the Hadith (prophetic traditions) and c) Ijma' (consensus). Modern Salafis hold that those should be interepreted as the above three generations would have interpreted them, and not according to innovative ways, thus holding a traditionalist view. They thus reject many later Islamic viewpoints as Bida and Shirk (idolatry).

In modern Islam, the term Salafi has come to describe various sects and groups sharing their views. These include the Saudi-based Wahhabis, and the India based Deobandi school, and the related schools in South Africa. More often, it is the Saudi-based school of thought that are referred to as Salafis, as they seek to purify modern Islam, sideline classical and much of medieval Islamic jurisprudence, and promote the interpretations of Salafi Islamic thinkers such as Ibn Taymiyah. These modern Salafis are sometimes called "neo-Salafis" (often disparagingly) or Salafists in order to distinguish Salafism from the early generations of Muslims (the original salaf).