“[Muhammad Tawfiq] Sidqi argued that details of [Prophet] Muhammad’s [SAW] behavior were never meant to be imitated in every particular. Thus Muslims should rely solely on the Qur’an. Sidqi’s own motivations, made explicit in the article itself, were directly related to the doctrine of the salafiyya - rejection of taqlid and a quest for authenticity. He simple extended these principles a step further than they had previously been taken. It is clear, however, that his views do not represent a sharp break with salafi ideology. The rejection of hadith as a source of authority was simply a new variation on an old salafi theme.”

Rethinking Tradition in Islamic Thought, David Brown

Learning about the rise of the Salafi movement and resulting philosophies that branched away from it through the history of hadith criticism provides a really fascinating perspective. Muhammad Tawfiq Sidqi wrote a controversial article in 1906 calling for a return to pure Islam by relying on the Qur’an alone, and debates about this single article continued for four years. He was later forced to recant his ideas placed in the article by the very person who allowed it to be published.