Salafi ideals are often blamed for providing the foundations for anti-Shia narratives in Muslim societies. These ideals are propagated by Salafi ‘ulama, who operate as local and transnational actors preaching against Shia ‘deviance’. This paper analyses the transnational networks of Salafi ‘ulama, encompassing Egypt, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. It examines how these ‘ulama foster common rhetoric and shared theological values against the Shia ‘other’. These ‘ulama engage in activities that are transnational in nature through Salafi satellite television channels, social media outlets and Salafi websites, promoting and sharing their fatwas, publications and sermons about the Shia sect. They are also active in organising global conferences for Salafi ‘ulama. This paper evaluates the impacts of local and regional circumstances on the transnational interactions of Salafi ‘ulama when dealing with the Shia sect. It finds that local and regional circumstances influence the intensity and frequency of the anti-Shi‘a rhetoric among the ‘ulama. Despite the transnational nature of interactions between Salafi ‘ulama in Kuwait, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the ‘ulama respond to local issues when dealing with the Shi‘a. At times the ‘ulama have to moderate their rhetoric when pressured by state authorities. The paper also finds that although Salafi ‘ulama are divided along quietist (apolitical) and haraki (activist) lines in existing literature on Salafism, the categorisation reflects only their relations with the state and their views about Islam’s role in political affairs. In the context of Sunni-Shia relations, however, the ‘ulama are better categorised as traditionalist and progressive, reflecting the fact that some Salafi ‘ulama are more accommodating towards the Shi‘a, and Shi‘ism, than others. The core argument of the paper is that the ‘Shi‘a question’ fosters transnational networks of Salafi ‘ulama due to common doctrinal interpretations of Shi‘ism. However, sectarian questions also disturb these networks as ‘ulama who are of similar convictions concerning engagement with the state differ on their approaches to Shi’ism. The paper’s underlying analysis is how these networks are fostered or destabilised by these interactions, resulting in contestations and negotiations over Salafi religious and political identities.