I am staying in a country where the people follow Madhab Hanafi. Here people do not pray behind Salafi so can we pray according to Madhab Hanafi or Sunnah?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

A Muslim should be keen on acting in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet in all his matters even if one behaves contrarily to people's desires and opinions, especially in relation to the prayer which is the most important pillar of Islam. The Prophet said: "Pray as you see me praying." [Al-Bukhari]

Acting in concordance with the Sunnah is a great evidence of the sincerity of the love of the Prophet . Allaah Says (what means): {Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allaah then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Quran and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you of your sins. And Allaah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. Say (O Muhammad : "Obey Allaah and the Messenger (Muhammad)." But if you turn away, then Allaah does not like the disbelievers.} [Quran 3:31-32]

Moreover, a Muslim should be keen on uniting the Muslims on the truth and avoiding division and disputes because of controversial Fiqh issues. The companions used to differ on Fiqh issues; however, they were merciful among themselves. Allaah Says (what means): {Those who are with him [the Prophet ()] are severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves.} [Quran 48:29]

Therefore, it is forbidden for Muslims to quarrel with their Muslim brothers especially those who follow the way of the righteous predecessors, [the Companions and their followers] . Loving these brothers and being an ally to them and friendly with them is something confirmed and important. A person is loved according to the extent of his love for the Prophet . So a person who follows the Sunnah of the Prophet more than others should be loved more than those who do not follow the Sunnah.

For more benefit on As-Salafiyyah, please refer to Fatwa 84166.

Also, for more benefit on the different schools and the date of their foundation, please refer to Fataawa 88391, 82358 and 87424.

Allaah Knows best.