The Salaf preferred the term Zuhd instead of Tasawwuf (which has a disputed origin), however, none of them rejected the Shar’ī intended meaning and Maqāsid of it as they are and inherent part of Sunni creed.

The scholars say:

التصوف الصحيح بني على الزهد، والزهد أصل من أصول الشريعة

‘Correct and authentic Tasawwuf is based on Zuhd (Islamic ascetism) and Zuhd is a branch of the branches of the Shari’ah.’

The early Salaf used the term ‘Zuhd’ instead of Tasawwuf, the likes of ‘Abdullah Ibn al-Mubarak al-Turkumāni (181 AH, Hannad ibn al-Sari (152 AH), Imam Ahmad, etc.