Is the statement that it is not obligatory to believe in the innovation (tabdīʿ) of a specific preacher unless all scholars deem him an innovator, or his innovation becomes widespread and they do not condemn it, considered a deviation from the methodology of Salafism or a sin?

This phenomenon—declaring people innovators and passing judgment on preachers and reformers—is alien to the methodology of the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah (People of the Sunnah and the Community). The duty is to focus on reforming oneself, adhering to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him), and refraining from judging and classifying people. Declaring people innovators and slandering preachers is not part of the religion. Rather, one responds to false statements and warns against those whose evil outweighs their good. What we advise is to avoid this reprehensible path and strive to reform oneself and commit it to the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace be upon him). Leaving off declaring someone an innovator when their innovation is not definitive is not a scrupulous obsession, but rather a praiseworthy piety.