walaikum assalam Laypeople like us cannot really give you an answer, and I am sure that you must be already aware of this. On the contrary, when you (with your ilm) say this, it (subconsciously) creates a legitimacy of salafism in our minds, because if are having doubts, then what about us? The topic of salafism is very subtle, which is why a lot of scholars also have fallen into it, and themselves become Salafi by abondoning the madhabs. But does that legitimise it? No, but for the layperson, it has great consequences. Because when we see the scholars do something, we (subconsciously) think that it must be legitimate to a certain degree. It would probably be most appropriate if you could discuss this with those scholars who have spend majority of their lives studying salafism and can give you the answer. Because subtle matters don't just require answers, but they also require insight. And Allah knows best.