Sufism is a foreign concept that, according to Ibn Taymiyyah,
was not heard of during the first three generations of Islam.[1]
There are many theories regarding the origin of the term Sufism,
the most correct of which, is that it is derived from the word “Soof” meaning
wool and refers to woollen clothes.[2]
Sufism first emerged in Basra through the hands of devout worshippers
who went to great lengths in their worship. The first Sufis were ascetics and
would wear woollen clothes in aspiration of following the example of Jesus.[3]
We learn however, that our Prophet
Muhammed (ﷺ) liked to wear the best and
finest of clothes, and even once discarded a woollen shirt because he disliked
the odour it emanated when he sweat.
Narrated by Aisha, “I made a black cloak for the Prophet (ﷺ) and he put it on; but when he sweated in it and noticed the odour of the wool, he threw it away. The narrator said: I think he said: He liked good smell.”[4]
Dr. Saabir
At-Tu’aimah said in his book: “Sufism – Its Beliefs and Methods”: “It appears that it came about due to the influence of
Christian monasticism in which the monks would wear woolen garments and reside
in their monasteries. There were many of them that would be upon this practice
throughout the lands, which Islam freed by way of Tawheed…”[5]
However it should be noted that Sufism does not enforce the
wearing of wool nor is it part of their methodology. They merely ascribe
themselves to that name because it describes their outer condition.[6]
The earliest Sufis were devout worshippers who gave up the
world and held fast to the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ). Since then it has
branched out and diversified; straying away from the original sources of Islam.
This asceticism has now evolved into mysticism.
A statement by Sari As-Saqati, who lived in Baghdad at the
same time as Ahmed ibn Hanbal, alludes to the nature of the first Sufis:
"The way of the multitude is this",
said Sari, "that you observe prayer five times daily behind the imam, and
that you give alms - if it be in money, half a dinar out of every twenty. The
way of the elect is this: that you thrust the world behind you altogether and
do not concern yourself with any of its trappings; if you are offered it, you
will not accept it. These are the two ways".[7]
When the Sufis began to record their principles there
appeared a gap between them and the teachings of the Prophet (ﷺ). Later emerged people
such as Ibn Arabi and Al-Hallaj, who brought in strange ideas such as pantheism,
divine unity, and incarnation. These are concepts which completely contradict monotheism,
the crux of Islam.
In order to become a Sufi, a person has to follow a certain ‘Tareeqah’
and submit himself to a Sufi master. This causes division in the religion, and
we have many Prophetic traditions as well as verses from the Qur’an which warn
us against this:
“Of those who split up
their religion (i.e. who left the true Islamic Monotheism), and became sects,
[i.e. they invented new things in the religion (Bid'ah), and followed their
vain desires], each sect rejoicing in that which is with it.”[8]
“And, [moreover], this is
My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for
you will be separated from His way. This has He instructed you that you may
become righteous.”[9]
In
addition to this, these masters innovate their own formulas to acts of worship,
which their followers uphold, distinguishing themselves from other Tareeqahs.
Imam
Malik said: "Whosoever
introduces into Islam an innovation, which he deems is good, then he has
claimed that Muhammad has betrayed (the trust of conveying) the Message. Read
the saying of Allah, the Mighty and Majestic:
ۚ الْيَوْمَ أَكْمَلْتُ لَكُمْ دِينَكُمْ وَأَتْمَمْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ نِعْمَتِي وَرَضِيتُ لَكُمُ الْإِسْلَامَ دِينًا
“This day, I have
perfected your religion for you, completed My Favor upon you, and have chosen
for you Islam as your religion.”[10]
So
whatever was not (part of) the Religion on that day, is not (part of) the
Religion on this day. And the last part of this nation will not be rectified,
except by that which its first part was rectified by."
Many of these masters claim knowledge of the unseen. They
claim that they receive inspiration directly from Allah as the messengers did. Some
even go on to say that they have the ability to see Allah in this life. And
yet, when Musa, asked for permission to see Allah, He said:
They (the Sufis) also hold gatherings solely for the purpose
of sending blessings on the Prophet (ﷺ).
During these gatherings poems are recited, such as the famous Qasidah AlBurdah written by Al-Busairi. This poem exaggerates
in praise of our beloved Prophet (ﷺ)
and contains Major Shirk. Examples of this from the text are as follows:
No doubt these are all fabrications and calamitous lies
against Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ).
Our Prophet (ﷺ) has forbidden us in authentic narrations against
excessive praise of him.
Narrated `Umar: I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "Do not exaggerate in praising me as the Christians praised the son of Mary, for I am only a Slave. So, call me the Slave of Allah and His Apostle."[12]
In the text is the attribution of knowledge which only
belongs to Allah to the Prophet (ﷺ).
Allah clearly says in the Qur’an:
Say: "None in the heavens and the
earth knows the Ghaib (unseen) except Allah, nor can they perceive when they
shall be resurrected."[13]
In their gatherings they permit dancing, musical
instruments, and drums when remembering Allah. We find this contrary to the verses
in the Qur’an in which Allah describes the attitude of the true believers when
they hear Allah’s name.
“The
believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their
hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the
Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone)”[14]
With regards to Tawakkul, many Sufis advocate for an extreme
version of it in which no precautions or measures are taken. They believe that
doing so negates putting your trust in Allah. The Prophet (ﷺ), however, has clarified
that Tawakkul entails taking the means as well.
‘Umar said: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) say: ‘If you were to rely upon Allah with the
reliance He is due, you would be given provision like the birds: They go out
hungry in the morning and come back with full bellies in the evening.”[15]
The point of mentioning this hadith as evidence is to
demonstrate that the birds do not stay in their nests expecting provision,
rather, they leave in search of it.
There are numerous Sufi practices which contradict the Sunnah
of the Prophet (ﷺ), but space does not
permit that we list and refute each one. In addition to this are matters such
as invoking other than Allah, grave worship, congregational dua, the kissing of
the thumbs when hearing the name of the Prophet (ﷺ),
wiping the face after dua, repeating the name of Allah as well as the pronoun “He”
(in reference to Allah), etc.
Sufism originated as something praiseworthy but deviated and
evolved into something contrary to Islam. In fact, if you examine it closely
you will discover that it is the assimilation of many other religions such as
Christianity, Judaism, Brahmanism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Manichaean beliefs,
as well as idolatry from the Days of Ignorance.
I conclude with the saying of our Prophet Muhammed (ﷺ),
“Whoever among you
lives after me will see much discord. So hold fast to my Sunnah and the Sunnah
of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs who will come after me. Adhere to them and hold
fast to them. Beware of Bid'ah (in religion) because every Bid'ah is a
misguidance."[16]
And in another narration;
“Indeed, whomever among you lives, he will see much
difference. Beware of the newly invented matters, for indeed they are astray.
Whoever among you sees that, then he must stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of
the rightly guided Khulafa', cling to it with the molars.'[17]
[3]
Abush-Shaikh Al-Asbahaanee reported
with a chain of narration connected to Muhammad bin Sireen that it reached him
that a group of people preferred wearing wool, so he said: ‘There are some
people that prefer to wear wool claiming that they resemble the Messiah, son of
Maryam. However, the guidance of our Prophet (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam)
is more beloved to us, and he (sallAllaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would wear
cotton and other types of clothes.’ Or he stated words similar to this.”
[4]
Sunan Abi Dawud Book 34 Hadith
55
[8]
Qur’an 30:32
[9]
Qur’an 6:153
[10]
Qur’an 5:3
[11]
Qur’an 7:143
[12]
Sahih al-Bukhari Book 60 Hadith 115
[13]
Qur’an 27:65
[14]
Qur’an 8:2
[15]
Ibn Majah Vol. 5, Book 37, Hadith 4164
[16]
Riyad As-Saleheen Book 2 Hadith 702
[17]
Jami` at-Tirmidhi Book 41 Hadith 32
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