Ahl-i Hadith

Ahl-i Hadith is commonly recognised as the Salafi movement within the Indian subcontinent. It originated in Northern region of India during the 18th century, drawing from the teachings of prominent figures such as Sayyid Ahmad Shahid, Syed Nazeer Husain, and Nawab Siddiq Hasan Khan. This movement can be seen as an offshoot of the Tariqah-i-Muhammadiya, which emerged in the 19th century under the leadership of Titumir, and is linked to the 18th-century philosophies of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi as well as the Wahhabi movement. Followers of Ahl-i Hadith have identified themselves with various titles, including "Muwahideen", "Ahl-us Sunnah wal Jamaah", and "Ahl e-Hadith".

Originally synonymous with what were referred to as the Indian "Wahhabis", the movement adopted the name "Ahl-i Hadith" around 1864 to emphasise its dedication to the collection of ḥadīth—statements attributed to Muhammad, which are authenticated through established chains of transmission—and its stance of political quietism. This movement was particularly distinguished by its strong opposition to practices linked to the veneration of saints, which its followers viewed as a violation of the principle of Tawhid(Islamic monotheism). Adherents assert that their beliefs align closely with those of the early Ahl al-Hadith school. They reject taqlid (the adherence to established legal precedents from the four schools) and advocate for ijtihad (independent legal reasoning) based on the foundational texts. In contemporary discourse, the terms "Salafi" and "Ahl-i Hadith" are frequently used interchangeably.