Is it permissible for people to call themselves “Ahl al-Hadeeth”
Question

                I live in India and I embraced Islam in 2008 CE; I used to be Roman Catholic. I always go to the mosque now, and it is a mosque belonging to Ahl al-Hadeeth. The people in my neighbourhood call thselves Ahl al-Hadeeth more than they call themselves Muslims. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said that the group among his ummah who will enter Paradise is the one that follows Qur’an and Sunnah. I hope that you can tell me whether it is permissible to describe ourselves as Ahl al-Hadeeth or as Muslims?
Praise be to Allah.
    Firstly: 

    We are very happy to hear that you have become Muslim and 
    that you always pray in congregation in the mosque. We ask Allah, may He be 
    exalted, to increase you in guidance and steadfastness. 

    Secondly: 

    There is no reason why a group of Muslims should not call 
    themselves Ahl as-Sunnah or Ahl al-Hadeeth, or any other names that are 
    indicative of a Muslim’s sound methodology and following the Qur’an and 
    Sunnah, so as to distinguish themselves from others who follow innovation. 
    There is no doubt that the name Muslim is a good name, but… Unfortunately 
    the Muslims have divided into various groups, so that one may be Sufi, 
    another may be Shi‘i, and another may be”rational”. 

    Indeed, there are some who claim to belong to Islam but they 
    are not Muslims, such as the Baha’is and Barelvis. 

    If a Muslim describes himself as belonging to Ahl al-Hadeeth, 
    that means that he is disassociating himself from these groups and declaring 
    that he belongs to Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah. 

    Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allah have mercy on him) 
    said: 

    There is no shame in declaring oneself to be a follower of 
    the salaf, belonging to it and feeling proud of it; rather that must be 
    accepted from him, according to scholarly consensus. The madhhab of the 
    salaf cannot be anything but true. If a person adheres to it inwardly and 
    outwardly, then he is like the believer who is following truth inwardly and 
    outwardly. If he adheres to it outwardly only, and not inwardly, then he is 
    like the hypocrite; he is to be accepted as he appears to be, and what is 
    hidden in his heart is left to Allah (to judge), because we are not 
    instructed to check on what is in people’s hearts.

    End quote from Majmoo‘ al-Fataawa, 1/149 

    Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allah preserve him) said: 

    Calling oneself Salafi, if it is true, is fine and there is 
    nothing wrong with it. But if it is a mere claim, then it is not permissible 
    to call oneself a Salafi when one is not following the way of the salaf.

    End quote from al-Ajwabah al-Mufeedah ‘ala As’ilah 
    al-Manaahij al-Jadeedah, p. 13 

    It should be noted that calling themselves Ahl al-Hadeeth 
    does not mean that they do not follow the Qur’an. Perhaps this is the reason 
    why you are confused. Rather Ahl al-Hadeeth are those who follow both the 
    Qur’an and hadeeth; they are the ones who adhere to the guidance of the 
    Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and they are the ones who 
    follow the Companions of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon 
    him) sincerely. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the 
    meaning):

    “And the first to 
    embrace Islam of the Muhajiroon (those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah) 
    and the Ansaar (the citizens of Al-Madinah who helped and gave aid to the 
    Muhajiroon) and also those who followed them exactly (in Faith). Allah is 
    well-pleased with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has prepared 
    for them Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise), to dwell therein 
    forever. That is the supreme success”

    [at-Tawbah 9:100]. 

    Thirdly: 

    Allah has bestowed upon you another great blessing after 
    guiding you to Islam, which is that you live among Ahl al-Hadeeth, Ahl 
    as-Sunnah wa’l-Jamaa‘ah. So strive to stay close to them, follow their 
    example and adhere to their way. 

    See the answer to question no.
    159436 for a brief discussion on 
    Jamaa‘at Ahl al-Hadeeth in India, so that you will be more keen to stay 
    close to them. 

    See the answer to question no.
    12761 for further discussion on 
    the terminology “Ahl al-Hadeeth” among the righteous predecessors (as-salaf 
    as-saalih). 

    And Allah knows best.