Is there such a thing called Islamic Sufism or moderate Sufism? ما هي الصوفية الإسلامية؟
Question
Is there such a thing called Islamic Sufism or moderate Sufism? ما هي الصوفية الإسلامية؟
Answer
Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:
If you mean by Sufism purification of the heart from diseases and corrupt beliefs, and purification of the body parts by abiding by the commandments of Allah and not opposing them, then the reality is that Islam has not come for anything but that. However, if you mean by that what the well-known sects that are referred to as Sufism are upon, then what they have of ignorance of Allah’s religion and turning away from it necessitates that their way not be described as Islamic.
Furthermore, you should know – may Allah grant you success – that many from among the people of various deviant Sufi orders and corrupt beliefs, old and new, attempt to describe Islam according to their orders and sects, in order to promote it to people. This, in reality, is a type of deception and misguidance of the people. What is obligatory upon every Muslim is to not be deceived by titles and slogans, for what is to be taken into consideration are the meanings, not the structures. Rather, what one should do is present every movement, order, or sect before the Book of Allah and Sunnah of His Messenger; what coincides with them, we take and accept it, and what does not, we throw it back at whoever introduced it regardless of who they are.
Finally, discussing Sufism in terms of methodology, beliefs, legislative rulings, origins and modern day, is something that books have been authored regarding. So I excuse myself from that. However, I have mentioned to you a beneficial introduction that will assist you in knowing the true path.
Praise be to Allah, and may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah, his family and his companions.
As to what follows:
In response to your question, we say, and with Allah Almighty lies all success:
If you mean by Sufism purification of the heart from diseases and corrupt beliefs, and purification of the body parts by abiding by the commandments of Allah and not opposing them, then the reality is that Islam has not come for anything but that. However, if you mean by that what the well-known sects that are referred to as Sufism are upon, then what they have of ignorance of Allah’s religion and turning away from it necessitates that their way not be described as Islamic.
Furthermore, you should know – may Allah grant you success – that many from among the people of various deviant Sufi orders and corrupt beliefs, old and new, attempt to describe Islam according to their orders and sects, in order to promote it to people. This, in reality, is a type of deception and misguidance of the people. What is obligatory upon every Muslim is to not be deceived by titles and slogans, for what is to be taken into consideration are the meanings, not the structures. Rather, what one should do is present every movement, order, or sect before the Book of Allah and Sunnah of His Messenger; what coincides with them, we take and accept it, and what does not, we throw it back at whoever introduced it regardless of who they are.
Finally, discussing Sufism in terms of methodology, beliefs, legislative rulings, origins and modern day, is something that books have been authored regarding. So I excuse myself from that. However, I have mentioned to you a beneficial introduction that will assist you in knowing the true path.