Question :
When we say ' we should only follow the way of the Salaf ' it means following what the Salaf agreed upon (Ijmaa) and if they differed in something , then we should choose only one of those different views based on evidence from the Quran and Sunnah and we should not follow a new opinion which contradicts those different opinions found among the Salaf .
This is the correct understanding of Salafiyya right ?
وعليكم السلام ورحمة الله وبركاته
Your statement is good but I would like to increase its quality and fill its gaps as follows :
When we say " Follow the Salaf (predecessors) " this means to follow what the Salaf agreed upon (Ijmaa - consensus) or what was well-known among them and they did not differ in it even if they didn't mention that there is consensus(Ijmaa) in it .
And if they differ regarding something and this differing is justifiable then the Mujtahid must choose one of those different sayings and that choice must be based on the search for the truth using the correct manner and the choice should be based on an evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah or a derivation (Istinbaath) from them two. At the same time we should believe that the opposite opinion does not contradict the concept of Salafiyya because there is Salaf for that opinion as well.
And it is not permissible according to the Shari’a , rather it is not logically acceptable for us to invent a new opinion that has no basis in the words of the Salaf may Allah عز وجل have mercy on them , because the Salaf were the most knowledgeable and pious ones from this Ummah , and the latter part of this Ummah can not be rectified except by that which the former part of this Ummah was rectified .
And Allah عز وجل knows best .