Non-Muslims (and some Muslims) often mistake Sufism as a sect of Islam. Sufism is more accurately described as an aspect or dimension of Islam. Sufi Tariqas can be found in Sunni, Shi’a and other Islamic groups. Ibn Khaldun the 14th Century Arab historian described Sufism as: “… dedication to worship, total dedication to Allah most High, disregard for the finery and ornament of the world, abstinence from the pleasure, wealth, and prestige sought by most men, and retiring from others to worship alone.”
Islamic asceticism flourished in the first century since the advent of Islam and developed into schools of thought, firmly rooted in the traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Shari’a or Islamic law.
Its scholars became known as the Sufis because of their loyalty, sincerity, and purity of heart.
One of the meanings of the word “sufa” in Arabic is purity. There are two other meanings including Ahl Suffa translated as “the people of the bench” for which a verse in the Quran was revealed to the Prophet (PBUH) advising him not to ignore the people who sat outside his home remembering their Lord and showing great sincerity towards Him and His message.
The third interpretation of the word Sufi refers to a wool fabric worn by these ascethetics. Some of the most famous early Sufi scholars include the great leaders of the Sunni four schools of thought known as Imam Malik, Imam Abu Hanifa, Shafi’i and Imam Ahmad Ibn Hanbal – These are also known as the four great Imams of Ijtihad and from whom we have the four schools of Fiqh (Law).
Doctrinally, the practice of Sufism is the pursuit of moral excellence. It is founded in the tradition of the Prophet (PBUH) where Angel Gabriel asked him what is Islam? The Prophet (PBUH) explained that Islam must be understood in three stages:-
• First is Islam or the physical rules of the religion, which includes the Sunni four schools of thought, and the Shiites.
• Second is Iman or belief in the unseen including all Prophets, angels, the holy books and the Day of Judgment.
• Third is the state of Ihsan or perfection where the believer must worship his Lord as if he sees Him and knowing that he cannot, must know that his Lord is always seeing him.
This third stage has developed its own set of rules and practices that have been known throughout Islamic history as “taskiyyat nafs” or purification of the self. The teachers of this discipline of purification organized their students into what is now known as Sufi Orders and are named after the Shaykh who had the most influence on their theology and development.
So the most important thing to understand from this history of Sufism is not only is it an integral part of Islam itself but it has existed since the early time of the Prophet (PBUH).
The Muslim who chooses to follow the third level of Islam must first accept the first two levels and cannot be considered a Sufi without having first understood the rules of shari’a and of faith. Some practices commonly associated with people who observe Sufism:
• Taking initiation with a Shaykh or guide: the early teachings of the great scholars of Islam required that any believer who wanted to learn how to be someone who is “God conscious” at all times, they must seek a teacher who has succeeded in this journey already and who displays the qualities of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) who Muslims believe to be of Perfect character. As a result of their devotion, their followers and community members often consider them holy and enlightened. For this same reason, Islamists are able to scare believers into avoiding a guide by accusing them of making shirk or “ascribing partners to God”. Sufism is an apprenticeship just like many other disciplines such as Buddhism or the martial arts, and the teacher or Shaykh as he or she is known, is a central source of the knowledge for the students.
Since early times, it was important to find a living Shaykh who could trace his lineage of knowledge all the way back to the time of the Prophet (PBUH) ensuring that they were still connected to the Divine inspirations. The old educational structure- there were no modern degrees, students would gather around the boarding schools and learn Islam then go back to their own communities to teach Islam.
• How to achieve God consciousness: The student or seeker as he/she is known goes about their daily life and rituals in what outwardly appears to be like any other person, however internally they struggle to display character traits associated with Divine Attributes. It is a dual practice of controlling bad desires or negative traits of the ego such as oppression, anger, greediness, or cruelty on the one hand, and showing the greater qualities of an aware and compassionate ego on the other. Ultimately the goal of Sufi master is that if all his students focus their energy inward so they become of perfect character and embody qualities such as compassion, mercy, justice and tolerance. The natural consequence of that would be a society as a whole that is at peace and will also be blessed by God for its piety and sincerity.
• It is basically the science of destroying the aggression or animal qualities of all human beings by concentrating inward rather than outward. That is why the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) after returning to Makkah told his companion we have left the lesser jihad [or the jihad of combat] for the great jihad, which was the struggle against the self. The central concept in Sufism is love. Dervishes / Mureeds —the names given to initiates of Sufi orders— believe that love is a projection of the essence of God to the universe. They believe that God desires to recognize beauty, and as if one looks at a mirror to see oneself, God looks at himself within the dynamics of nature. This is substantiated using the famous Hadith Qudsi (extra-Qur’anic utterance of God): “I was a hidden treasure, and I wanted to be known, so I created Creation.”
Since they believe that everything is a reflection of God, Sufis try to see the beauty inside the apparently ugly, and to open arms even to what is considered the most evil one. The Sufi conception of divine love is not restricted to what the term “love of God” implies; it also includes human love with a perspective that views everything a manifestation of God. The central doctrine of Sufism, sometimes called Wahdat or Unity, is the Sufi understanding of Tawhid.
Put very simply Tawhid states that all phenomena are manifestations of a single reality, or Wujud (being), this is indeed al-Haq (Truth, God). The essence of being/Truth/God is devoid of every form and quality, and hence unmanifest, yet it is inseparable from every form and phenomenon either material or spiritual. It is often understood to imply that every phenomenon is an aspect of Truth and at the same time attribution of existence to it is false. The chief aim of all Sufis then is to let go of all notions of duality (and therefore of the individual self also), and realize the divine unity which is considered to be the truth.
Historically, the practice of Sufism and this focus inward led to great tolerance and flexibility in the practices of Muslims around the world. It led to great achievements in art, poetry and literature since the Sufis spent so much time in contemplation of love for their Creator and spirituality (for example Rumi, Omar Khayyám and Al-Ghazali’s influence extended beyond Muslim lands to be quoted by Western philosophers, writers and theologians.)
However, the 20th century brought a new wave of thought in the Muslim world as it sought to unify the Muslims into a political force against Europe and the US. This new ideology commonly referred as Wahabbism or Salafism was described to believers as an attempt to purify the practices of Muslims around the world from the practices of Sufism and traditional Islam. Because its success depended on its attempt to create a homogenous force it was essential for them to obliterate the practices that were the source of the tolerance and pluralism around the Muslim world.
Article text without illustrations originally published by SPIRIT themag, July 2006. Republished with permission.
Wulfruna Sufi Association 
I am a student of the late grat Mufti Ahmed Kuftaro. I am glad that more true and postive information is being put out about what and who we sufi’s are.
I am a teacher of Religious Education in the UK and found this to be a fascinating and accessible account of one of the most beautiful aspects of Islam.
Related article: Sufism In The Hadiths
In the name of God , the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Assalam Alaykum – May Peace, Blessings and Mercy of God be upon you !
My name is Naushad Somji and I am a Syed Muslim male from Pune, India and I am of Indo-Iranian descent.
Since the year 1997, God has made me to have major spiritual mystical experiences which are directly connected to the Second Comming of Jesus Christ ! I am pasting below for your perusal an article that I have written based on the same !
Most people will find it difficult to believe that such things can happen in present times but Devine histroy is full of such events and am not the first person to have such experiences.
Since this is connected to Sufism, I humbly request you to kindly give me your views on the same.
Thanking you for your precious time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from your end soon.
With best regards,
Naushad Somji.
——————————————————————————————
The Holy Quran starts with the words “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful” and it is this mercy of God that Hadrt Isa Massi (as) or Jesus Christ will return back to save mankind !
The scriptures of many religions speak of a coming leader who will consummate the fulfillment of the divine will on earth. He will manifest in his person the righteousness and compassion of God, and he will bring about the final defeat of evil, and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This person who will be specially chosen by God for this mission and empowered to accomplish it. Prophecies that a leader will come and accomplish such a mission are nearly universal.
Religions call him by various names but it all leads to the same person as our God is one and His mission through this World Savior is universal.
“Whenever the Law declines and the purpose of life is forgotten, I manifest myself on earth. I am born in every age to protect the good, to destroy evil, and to reestablish the Law”……(Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8.)
Since the year 1997, I have had major spiritual mystical experiences which indicate that Allah has directly began to work for the peace and prosperity of all mankind.
“The whole of the Torah is for the purpose of promoting peace”….(Judaism. Talmud, Gittin 59b)
After graduating in Construction Engineering in the year 1991, I wanted to pursue an MBA program in an American University. This education would help me to join our family business of real estate development. However, God had something else in mind for me.
I began to face major difficulties and whatever could go wrong did go wrong. To make things worse I had spiritual demonic attack on me and because of all this my health declined rapidly. The pain was so intense that I was thinking of ending my life. All this continued till in the year 1997 when something mysterious happened which changed my life forever.
Imam Ali (as), the first cousin of Prophet Mohammad (saw) and the forth Khalifa of the Islamic word appeared to me at the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty (ra) at Ajmer, India from unseen world in resurrected form. He looked into my eyes smiled and went away. This opened my heart and my spiritual journey began. I began to isolate myself from people and my personality changed completely. Devine knowledge of God began to gradually enter my heart and I became very religious.
Since then I have been meeting many dead Prophets / Islamic Saints in real in person, who initially made me their disciple and later on gave me the Khilafaat (leader and spiritual master).
I also meet Prophet Mohammad (saw) who appeared to me along with Imam Ali (as) and three more men who I did not recognize. We prayed the afternoon prayers together which was lead by Prophet Mohammad (saw). Thereafter we had launch sharing the food from the same big plate. Later on when the Prophet (saw) was leaving he shook hands with me with a big smile and I kissed his hands.
Two years ago, love and affection for Lord Jesus Christ made me to request my friend Rev. Benedict Thayagrajan to baptize me which he gracefully agreed. When the Priest was pouring water on my head, he saw bright light descending in my heart. Thereafter the he had a vision of Hadrt Isa Massi (as) or Jesus Christ standing in Jordon River in my place. Such an experience the Priest had never had during baptizing anybody in his 35 years of Church service. Even I felt that I had become spiritually very powerful during that time and thereafter major changes began to take place in my heart. Now, though I am a Muslim my heart has become Christian.
The above facts are directly connected to the emergence of the awaited Imam Mahdi (as) and that the spiritual Second Coming of Jesus Christ as has been foretold by Prophet Mohammad (saw) as follows:
“How will you be when the son of Mary descends among you and your leader will be from among ourselves?”………….(Islam. Al-Bukhari & Muslim)
The role and attributes of the awaited Imam Mahdi (as) foretold in Islam @ 1400 years ago are as follows :
“The Imam who will create a world state …… He will bring succor to humanity……….. His mind will be free from desires of bringing harm and injury to humanity. …….. With such a start he will establish an empire of God in this world. He will be the final demonstration and proof of God’s merciful wish to acquaint man with the right ways of life.” – (Islam. Nahjul Balagha, Khutba 141, 187)
Over the years I have become spiritually very developed and am gradually moving towards God realization and I have understood the deeper meanings of religions in my heart. I want to work in future to help mankind achieve Pluralism and thus true world peace. But this can only be achieved by spreading pure love amongst people and helping mankind experience true happiness by having a proper balance between spiritual and material development.
I wish to convey this message of love which is from God in from the Second Comming of Jesus Christ to the entire world as follows :
“ Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” ….(Christianity. Holy Bible, Revelation 3:3 (NIV))
Hello
Please don’t read this as a gotcha question or anything with malicious intent. I found your site because you included a painting by one of my Christian ancestors in relation to the Quran.
How do you feel agout the Ground Zero mosque? It seems to me to be an attempt for politcal gain which goes against the golden rule as it is understood in the Quran. If we are to put ourselves into the position of another in their time of grief, how can we intentionally cause psychological suffering to those that experienced the horrors of 911 through an obvious political ploy that reduces the sacred to the secular to further a politcal agenda.
I’ve read that Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf is a Sufi. Yet Sufis I have known would never act this way.
What is your opinion on the Ground Zero mosque and is Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf acting like a Sufi as you understand Sufism?
Hi Nick,
I honestly don’t know too much about this mosque project in New York. I’ve read the articles in the media, but there is only so much one can glean from the media. September 11, 2001 was a tragic day in world history, it affected the hearts of people in countries across the world, especially Americans and especially felt by the people of New York… In light of this and that those implicated as the perpetrators claimed to be Muslims, I can see how the mosque project may be perceived in a bad light by some… None the less, it depends to a great extent on the intentions of those behind the development of this project. A mosque is, after all, simply a place of worship. Islam is an American religion too and quite unlike many European countries, has been part of US history since it’s earliest days.
Although on American soil, one thing that’s often forgotten, is that the World Trade Centre was a global institution, not an American one… Many Muslims from different countries died on 9/11, while simply at work at the WTC. Hence, it’s not unreasonable for Muslims to have a place to pray and remember those people who lost their lives that day… An interfaith project would be better than a mosque though, a place for people of all faiths. From what my sources have told me, this mosque is an interfaith project though, which would be a place open for the whole community and the promotion of peace. This being the case, I can’t really foresee any major problems.
Thanks for the reply
First let me say that I believe the same as Frithjof Schuon that there is a transcendent unity of religions. http://www.monasticdialog.com/a.php?id=151
That means that Islam exists at different levels of reality. I am not familiar enough with Islam to know if the following divisions are accurate but they seem reasonable to me:
Levels of Meaning in Holy Scripture: The Holy Qur’an
Dr. Ali Duran
Ya Ali Madad:
Traditionally in the esoteric traditions, understanding of Quran is regarded from the perspective of the student, and is usually divided into 4 levels of understanding:
Shariat: Shariah is the exoteric level and is related to the level of quranic civil and religious law and literal understanding of the verses of Quran. this is the lever of the Zahir, or visible.
Tariqat: the “Path”, is the beginning of the hidden or “batini” understanding of Quran. Sufi orders and Ismaili tariqat begin at this level. The hermeneutic interpretation, or “Tawil” (lit: to return to the first) of the Quran begins at this level. Understanding of the amthal, or metaphors and similies of the Quran on the physical, noetic and spiritual planes is stressed. The law is interpreted from this level and certain rules of the tariqa are established for the perfection of the postulant.
Maarifat: Maarifat is the station of “Irfan”, or gnosis. Here the Arif (gnostic) understands the subtleties of the Quran and is inspired from the Malakut or angelic realms. Subtleties and indications of the Beloved are seen in the sensory and internal worlds.
Haqiqat: the fruit of maarifat, the arif becomes annihilated in al-Haqq, the Divine reality, and subsists only through the qudrat, or will of Allah. This is the station alluded to by the martyr Mansur al Hallaj when he was crucified and burned for saying, “ana il Haqq” I am the Truth. This is the Divine realm, the Sinai of Lovers where only the converse between the Lover and Beloved is undestood and the Quran is the point of the Bismillah, the Mole on the Cheek of the Beloved.
If I have erred in this brief discourse, the error is mine. In truth Allah knows best.
***********************************************
The Sharia mosque in question is called the Cordoba Mosque that is named after a city in Spain where conquering Moors replaced a church with a mosque. The site on which it is to be built used to have a building that was destroyed by the landing gear of the attacking plane. The intent seems obvious.
However, this political mosque seems to me to be an expression of the exoteric level and as such, cannot be other than superficial literal interpretations of the Quran where the sacred is pulled down into the secular realm.
It seems to me that if those in favor of this exoteric expression respected the wisdom of the golden rule, they would abandon the idea.
911 was an example of Interfaith destruction where people were killed without consideration of racial, religious, or gender issues. That is why I would prefer a simple expression of man’s inhumanity towards man allowing a person to contemplate why these cyclical expressions of mutual destruction seem necessary and just leave politics out of Ground Zero.
Muslims I know seem to understand this because they are not dominated by politics but instead open to the higher callings of Islam which automatically lead to the golden rule and becoming sensitive to the needs of others. I believe if more felt this way, there wouldn’t be this attempt to build the Cordoba mosque.
Thank you for the info. I too, believe spirituality transcends religions and at their heart, all religions are based upon the same spiritual roots. Indeed, as my teacher has said, “all religions unite in their mystical aspect”.
This article was posted on the Guardian website today, regarding the “Cordoba House” proposal in New York:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/aug/23/charlie-brooker-ground-zero-mosque
THE BRALVIS AND TABHLIGHI-SHIA AND MANY SECTS SEE THE NAMAZ-ROZA ZAKATH HAJ- UMRA ALL GO DOWN THE DRAIN DUE TO THE DEVIATION IT BECOMES BUD- MADHAB AS PER THIS HADEES-
Hazrat Anas (radiAllahu anhu) has narrated that “RasoolAllah (Sallalahu alaihi wasallam) has said that Allah Ta’aala keeps all Bud Mazhab people …from performing Tauba until they leave their Bud Mazhab (wrong sect)”
and Ibne Majah reports that Hazrat Abdullah ibne Abbas (radiAllahu anhu)
narrates that the Holy Prophet (Sallalahu alaihi wasallam) has said
that “Allah does not accept any deed performed by a Bud Mazhabi until he
leaves his Bud Mazhab.” Ibne Majah also reports that Hazrat Hufaiza
(RadiAllahu Anhu) narrates a Hadith th…at the Holy Prophet (Sallalahu
alaihi wasallam) has said that Allah Ta’a ala does not accept anything
from a Bud-Mazhabi, not their Roza, not Namaaz, nor Zakaat, nor Hajj nor
Umrah nor Kihad nor any compulsory act ot voluntary act and they come
out of Islam like a hair is pulled out of some flour.”
[Hassaamul Harmain. Pages 59/60]
Eid Mubarak! It’s Eid my brother, why not try saying something a little more positive! 😉
SUFISM IS AN INNOVATION-CREATED BY THE 4 IMAMS TO FOLLOW THEM IS NOT OBLIGATORY-
Innovation in Islaam is the invention, creation or addition of any religious matter which was not (originally) found in Islaam. Therefore, Islaam warns against it and invalidates any religious deed which does not originate from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah. Prophet Mohammad, salla Allaahu ‘alaihe wasallam, says in this respect: “He who innovates something that is not in agreement with our matter (religion), will have it rejected.” [Al-Bukharee and Muslim] This is because innovation in religion is an opposition to Islaam; it implies that our religion is incomplete and imperfect with regards to the matters of worship. Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen says: ” Innovation entails the adoption of dangerous ways”:
1. It entails the refutation of Allaah’s words; “this day I have perfected your religion for you, completed My favour upon you and have chosen for you Islaam as your religion.” Therefore, any innovation introduced into the religion implies that Islaam is imperfect and incomplete.
2. It necessitates the slandering of the Sharee’ah (Islamic Law); that is, it was incomplete and the innovator has therefore completed it.
3. It requires the slander of Muslims who are not innovators, since by implication whoever came before these innovations, their religion is incomplete; and this is dangerous.
4. Most people who were preoccupied with innovation, neglected the Sunnah. The Salaf (our predecessor Muslims) who were adherents to Islaam, said: “Whenever a people introduce a Bid’ah (an innovation), they destroyed its counterpart in the Sunnah.”
5. These innovations also, bring about division among Muslims because the innovators believe that they are the ones who carry the truth and that those who do not follow them are mislead. However, the people of truth claim: “you are the ones (the innovators) who are on the wrong path and hence this is their division”.
Salaam alaikum Ali,
What kind of Islam is it; that rejects 14 centuries of Islamic scholarship, regards modern leaders of a schismatic sect as correct, while ignoring great luminaries such as the 5 renowned imams of fiqh, the great scholar Imam Ghazali who wrote the supreme reference work on Islam, “Ihya Ulum Id Deen” as well as so many others who shaped our deen and Islamic civilisation? Indeed what is left of Islamic civilisation after this is stripped away? The 5 imams were themselves students and teachers of the Sunnah, without them, the imams of hadith and the imams of tassawuf, Islam would not have reached us today. We owe them all a debt of tremendous gratitude, may Allah reward them with all the best the next life has to offer.
Well Mr. Paul you have explained Sufism very cleverly, but as ALLAH (swt) has promised Truth will Prevail over Lies, i am amazed that you have studied so much yet you spoke of Jahiliya, i live in Bareilly, UP india which is a centre of Bareilvi Maslak(Maslaqe Ala hazrat), i see so many Bidaah & shirqiyat traditions which are against the basic tenents of Islam, Before the re introduction of Islam in Arabian Peninsula the Arabs also worshipd Allah but with wasila of their fore- fathers , as if you look at the dua which is read In HAJJ today Allahumma Labaik, Lashariqa Laka Labbaik………….., even the Pre Islamic Arabs used to say that dua due Hajj period but they use to add the wasila of their fore-fathers, indeed if one hast to learn islam it is through a Guide or teacher who follows the true Sunnah & authentic Hadiths but then that doesn`t means making him(Guide) Immortal, since ALLAH (SWT)HAS SAId IN QURAn ‘KUllu Nafsin Zaykatul Maut”, every soul shall tase the Death.Making URS a religious obligation, performing
visits to the Sufi Shrines as if going for Hajj,Asking help from them instead of Allah,if this was the purpose of ISLAM then for what purpose Allah(SWT) has made 5 obligatory
PRAYER. as for following a Particular School of thought it is not mandatory,if it is so, then give any authentic Hadith for the same.
MAY ALLAH GUIDE US TO THE TRUE PART OF ISLAM.
Allah knows the best.
Salam alaikum Mohammed,
I agree with some of the points you have raised. Sadly, there are many people who have lost the true Islamic Science of Tasawuf, confusing it with that which it isn’t, nor was ever meant to be mixed up with. True tasawuf is a spiritual process of self-correction, through which the mureed comes to a purer, deeper and more profound understanding of tawheed; it is certainly not about the worship of people – far from it! That said, it’s important that we have love and respect for our ancestors. Among the greatest honours we can do them, is to develop taqwa. If people visit mazars to worship the people buried there, that is shirk. If they are visiting to make dua for the people of the graves, to be reminded of the shortness of their lives, and the biographies of their pious predecessors, this is actually a Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him.
Urs is not, nor has ever been a religious obligation; to suggest otherwise is incorrect. That said, we may organise gatherings to learn about Islam, the Prophet and his noble family, peace be upon them, his righteous companions, may Allah accept them, and the lives and achievements of pious Muslim predecessors, to inspire the young people to emulate their beautiful examples. Mawlid and Urs, if organised in such a manner, are accepted as beneficial supererogatory activities within Islam. Unfortunately, I agree that the way they are often arranged, doesn’t live up to the ideal. Nevertheless, we can’t condemn all such events or those who partake in them, because of those which fall short.
May Allah subhana wa ta ala, grant us all forgiveness for our mistakes and guidance to the truth, He alone knows best.
Ma salam.
Brother Paul Salahuddin, Assalamualaykum warrahmatullahi wabarakatuhu – believe me the one that brought about division in Islam is those the ones like brother Ali above, knowing Islam only by the shell (Dhahiri), lack of understanding of the meaning, lack of chain of narrations – they think they just can jump to the Qur’an and the Sunnah. These people are the one who are replacing Dzikrillah with saying “bid’ah” like thieves screaming thieves – they have no comprehension on what actually bid’ah means – they are the actual ahli bid’ah that is dhalallah and they will end up astray. They don’t understand the meaning of purification of the heart (Tazkiyyah alas Nafs). They want to feel good and would like people to thing that they are the only righteous individuals by finding faults on others according to their scale.
Such as any disciplines of science in Islam has the knowledge to study about it; Shari’ah to study about Law (hakam), Tahara ~ Cleanliness. Aqeedah ~ Creed. What about the state of the heart other than Ilm at-Tassawuf (Sufism). Even Ibn Taimiyyah wrote two huge chapter on Tassawuf.
You are doing a great work, keep it up, May Allah SWT reward you with great rewards – and may Allah guides us all to the straight path.
let me end this with supplication from the Holy Qur’an
رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْ لَنَا وَلِإِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِينَ سَبَقُونَا بِالْإِيمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِي قُلُوبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِينَ آمَنُوا رَبَّنَا إِنَّكَ رَءُوفٌ رَّحِيمٌ
[٥٩:١٠]
“Our Lord! Forgive us, and our brethren who came before us into the Faith, and leave not, in our hearts, rancour (or sense of injury) against those who have believed. Our Lord! Thou art indeed Full of Kindness, Most Merciful.” [59:10]
Salaamu Alaikum Wr Wb Ali
BismillahHirRahmanNirRahim
MaShaAllah Ali effendi, read your post, it seems you have been brought up with the najdi’s… upon whom the Prophet(pbuh) didn’t really talk very warmly of, and this is putting that kindly to you.
Brother Ali, you need to please read more, how can you deny the four Imams? who gave you that authority !
There is a hadiths clearly stating a warning here it is..
“Whoever interprets the Quran to his own mind (intellect) there shall be a seat of hellfire waiting for him” Sahih Hadiths.
This is a HUGE warning to ALL, now who is your guide/teacher? which Madhab do you follow (Madhab meaning school/fiqh/jurisprudence) or have you come up with your own?
Coming up with your own fiqh is fulfilling the hadiths of the Muslim Ummah going into divisions, and where upon they asked the Prophet(saw) who shall be the righteous group, here is the hadiths
The holy Prophet(Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said “Without doubt my Ummah will never be gathered in misguidance. Whenever you see disagreement, then hold fast to the Sawad-e-Azam (the great majority)” [Ibne Majah]
The holy Prophet(Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said ” There was disagreement amongst Jews and they split into 72 groups. In exactly the same way, there will be disagreement and divisions in my Ummah. It will split into 73 groups. Apart from one of those groups, all the remaining 72 will be thrown into Hell.”
When asked which group will be on the right path, the holy Prophet(Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied, “The group on the right path, which will enter Paradise, will be the group which follows my Sunna and that of my Sahaba and this will be the largest group of Muslims.” [Tirmizi, Imam Ahmad, Abu Daud, Mishkat]
Imam Sufyan Souri(Radi Allahu anhu)(95AH-161AH) in his book Al Mizaanul Qubra states ” By Sawad-e-Azam is meant those who are called the Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaah.”
Can throw out many more information at you Brother Ali 🙂
Looking at your copy and paste, your getting your ideology from the Wahabbiyya school aka Salaafiyya.
Below I shall quickly answer your 5 points.
Point 1
You stated that …
“Therefore, any innovation introduced into the religion implies that Islaam is imperfect and incomplete.”
My answer…
Types of Bid’at and their status in the Shariah
Bid’at is of two kinds viz. Bid’at Hasana(appreciable innovation) and Bid’at Sai’iyya(offensive innovation).
Bid’at Hasana is divided into three categories:
(1) Bid’at Jaiz (permissible)
(2) Bid’at Mustahhab (appreciable)
(3) Bid’at Wajib (essential)
Bid’at Sai’iyya is divided into two categories:
(1) Bid’at Makruh (abominable)
(2) Bid’at Haraam (prohibited)
Allah’s Apostle said, “Whoever prayed at night the whole month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” Ibn Shihab (a sub-narrator) said, “Allah’s Apostle died and the people continued observing that (i.e. Nawafil offered individually, not in congregation), and it remained as it was during the Caliphate of Abu Bakr and in the early days of ‘Umar’s Caliphate.” ‘Abdur Rahman bin ‘Abdul Qari said, “I went out in the company of ‘Umar bin Al-Khattab one night in Ramadan to the mosque and found the people praying in different groups. A man praying alone or a man praying with a little group behind him. So, ‘Umar said, ‘In my opinion I would better collect these (people) under the leadership of one qari (reciter) (i.e. let them pray in congregation!)’. So, he made up his mind to congregate them behind Ubai bin Ka’b. Then on another night I went again in his company and the people were praying behind their reciter. On that, ‘Umar remarked, ‘What an excellent Bid’a (i.e. innovation in religion) this is; but the prayer which they do not perform, but sleep at its time is better than the one they are offering.’ He meant the prayer in the last part of the night. (In those days) people used to pray in the early part of the night.” Narrated By Abu Huraira. Sahih Bukhari.
Look at What Is Bid’at? By Mufti Allama Ahmed Yar Khan works on Bida’t
Point 2.
Pathetic point, such allegations is really low and baseless.
Point 3.
Read the massacres of the Muslims of taif your old teachers killed innocent Muslim just because they didn’t follow there belief… In Islam there is no such teachings of this, yet you accuse sufism of doing this?
http://www.ummah.net/Al_adaab/wah-38.html
Point 4.
Point 1 answers it.
Point 5.
Your going against hadiths the blessed words and warnings of Rasul Allah (pbuh) of …
The holy Prophet(Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said “The Jews split into 71 groups; one will enter Paradise and 70 will enter Hell. The Christians split into 72 groups; 71 will enter Hell and one will enter Paradise. By Him in Whose Power is the life of Muhammad, without doubt, my Ummah will be divided into 73 groups. Only one will enter Paradise and 72 will enter Hell.”
When asked which group will be on the right path, the holy Prophet(Sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) replied, “The main (al-Jama’ah) body of the Muslims.” [Ibne Majah Kitab al-Fitan]
This is just a quick type up if there are any mistakes forgive me, Brother Ali you need to be educated like us all, including myself, I’ve seen many wahabbis and salaafis try and put down Islam though Look at what the great Imam Ibn Taymiyya said about the Sufi’s
Ibn Taymiyya Tasawwuf, from Volume 11,”At-Tawassuf” of “Majmu’a Fatawa Ibn Taymiyya al-Kubra,” Dar ar-Rahmah, Cairo,
Ibn Taymiyya continues:
“as-Sufi hua fil-haqiqa naw’un min as-siddiqeen. Fahua as-siddiq alladhee ikhtassa bil-zuhadiwal-‘ibada.”
which translates:
“And the Sufi is in reality a kind of Siddiq (Truthful One), that Siddiq who specialized in zuhd and worship.”
Allah Hafiz
Mr. Sufi, if it is your real name,if not then pls be honest to write your name as Allah(swt) like people who are honest & truthful. you have mentioned about Sufis, the problem is not with the Sufis but with the followers, who makes them Immortal, just give authentic Hadiths & sunnah of Prophet Muhammad(saw) or his companions, or of tabeyins or tabe tabeyins, or salf e salehins, who have endorsed the traditions and cultures associated with the sufi followers, like wasila,niyaz,urs,hand bands etc
As im sure a wahhabi would know, Rasulullah said we are guided by the 3 generations after the prophet (SAW). Accusing the 4 imams of bad bid’ah, scholars who lived and were accepted unanimously within these 3 generations protected by the prophet, goes contradicts the basic premise of ibn uthaymeen’s manhaj….Allah Yahdeek!
Naushad somji: I also meet Prophet Mohammad (saw) who appeared to me along with Imam Ali (as) and three more men who I did not recognize. We prayed the afternoon prayers together which was lead by Prophet Mohammad (saw).
>> I found your experience very touching and it would be interested to know how they prayed. i.e with their hands opened or raised to their chest, to the side….??
look forward to your reply..
fatima
Dear Sister Fatima,
Salaam and Greetings of Peace.
When I meet the saints or prophets, my mind gets blocked. Only when these people leave my thinking power comes back to normal. I do not remember if the Prophet (saw) prayed salaah with hands opened or raised to chest. I am connected spiritually to Allah the Most High all the time.
With love and blessings,
Brother Naushad Somji.
naushadsomjee43@gmail.com
Sayyid Naushad, Assalamualaykum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu, please make du’a (supplication) for me, my salam and salawat upon Sayyidina Rasulullah SAW and Sayyidina Ali KW and all the awliya that you met. May the gift from Allah SWT is not becoming tribulation upon you. Amin
What a fresh and stimulating site..
please, guide me to know more about your intentions and work.
JP Halsberghe
In the name of Allah Who is Infinite Compassion and Love
The Holy Quran which is the final testament mentions that Hadrat Isa (as) or Jesus Christ as the Rasul, Messiah, Kalimatullah “The Word of Allah (swt)” and Ruhullah “The Spirit of Allah.” He was born to the most pious women Hadrat Maryam (as) by divine will without a farther. He was raised alive and will return back in End Times to guide all mankind to the right path with the power of divine love and the final truth as per the Holy Quran ~ final testament. He will thus establish God’s kingdom throughout the world and restore true faith.
The scriptures of many religions speak of a coming leader who will consummate the fulfillment of the divine will on earth. He will manifest in his person the righteousness and compassion of God, and he will bring about the final defeat of evil, and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This person who will be specially chosen by God for this mission and empowered to accomplish it. Prophecies that a leader will come and accomplish such a mission are nearly universal.
Religions call him by various names: Jews long for the promised Messiah; for Christians the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth, who has already come and ascended to heaven but will reappear (perhaps in a new guise) at his Second Coming. Muslims also expect the second advent of Jesus, who will come as a Muslim Imam, and among Shiite Muslims there are various expectations of a future Imam Mahdi. Buddhist sutras prophesy the coming of the Maitreya Buddha; Vaishnavite Hindu scriptures prophesy the future descent of an avatar named Kalki; Zoroastrian scriptures prophesy the coming of the Saoshyant; and some Confucian texts speak of a future True Man who will finally bring peace to the world by perfectly instituting the Way of Confucius.
In 1997 when I was 30, Hadrat Imam Ali (as) appeared to me in resurrected form at the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty (ra) at Ajmershareef. He looked into my eyes, smiled and went away. This opened my heart and my spiritual journey began. I started to isolate myself from people and my personality changed completely. Thereafter I experienced the divine knowledge of Allah gradually entering my heart and soul and I became very religious.
Since then I have been meeting many dead Islamic Saints or Auliyas who have also appeared to me in their resurrected forms. A few years after my experience at Ajmeershareef, Hadrat Syed Badr-u-din Shah Hussani (rh) appeared to me also in resurrected form. He prayed over a glass of water and made me drink it, thus making me his mureed or disciple. He came to India from yemen @ 1000 years ago and was martyred. His head is buried at the Holy Shrine in the jungle near the town of Pen, in the state of Maharashtra. He nevertheless continued his fight for the cause of Allah the Most High despite the head being severed from his body. His body is buried in the town of Parandha in Maharashtra, an eight hour drive from Pen.
Two months later, Hazrat Syed Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty (ra) appeared to me in resurrected form. He gave me a fruit to eat and said that he was giving me the Khilafaat, the position as leader and spiritual master. I was told by him that I have a pure soul and that I will over the years work as a guru for people of all religions and they will call me a Messiah then.
Of all my meetings with the Holy men of Islam, the most remarkable was with Prophet Mohammad (saw) who appeared to me along with Hadrat Imam Ali (as) and three more men whom I did not recognize. Prophet Mohammad (saw) led us all in afternoon prayers, and then we had lunch, all eating from the same big plate. After the lunch as the Prophet (saw) was leaving he shook hands with me with a big smile and I kissed his hands respectfully.
This is connected to the awaited Imam Mahdi (as) :
“The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the provisions for his emergence within a single night “…… (Islam. Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519)
Later on I got baptized by a Christian Priest and during this the Priest saw a bright light descending on my person and then entering my soul as a small flame of light. Even I felt something powerful entering my heart that time. At that instant the Priest had a vision of Jesus Christ standing in the Jordon River gettting baptised in my place. Thereafter major spiritual changes began to change place with me and there are at times I could do the kind of healing that Jesus Christ did during his time. Also, I have got the power to forgive sins and whenever I visit graveyards thousands of souls would approach me for prayers to have their sins forgiven. They would not leave me unless I prayed for them. When Pope John Paul 2 died, his soul came to me in the astral body and asked me to pray for him. He said master master please help me. Few days later on when President Yasser Arafat died, his soul also approached me and he said that he did not want anything for himself but rather he asked me to help his fellow humans in Palestine who are in great trouble.
Recently when I was just about to go to sleep, I felt like some divine spiritual being was moving close to me and I felt it was Mother Teresa. She blessed me over and over again with the kind of pure love a mother would have for her own child. Then she intuitively informed in my heart that the soul in any human is part of Allah the Most High and thus to serve humanity is actually to serve our Creator. She said I represent the second coming of Jesus Christ or Hadrat Isa (as) and thus my heart should be like an ocean which accommodates everybody in it.
This is connected the Second Coming of Jesus Christ or Hadrat Isa (as) :
“What would be your situation if the Son of Mary (Jesus) descends upon you and your Imam (Mahdi) is from among you”? ………..(Islam. Bukhari, kitabul-Anbiya, Chapter Nuzul Isa bin Maryam)
Two years ago I suddenly got a pull to visit the Holy Shrine of Hadrat Shirdi Sai Baba (rh). Since then Baba has been guiding and protecting me and he calls me his son. During one such visit at the Temple of Hadrat Shirdi Sai Baba (rh) I saw a white ball of light approaching me from the right side during night aarti. When the aarti ritual was over, this white ball of light moved away. Recently Baba has informed me that this ball has been put into my heart by him and because of this over the period of time I will become spiritually one with God the Most High ~ an Avatar !!
At times some divine power descends in my heart and when that happens I become spiritually extremely powerful and bright white light emerges from my heart. That time I get a feeling that I have become one with Allah the Most High spiritually and that thousands of Angels circulate around me. But when this devine power leaves I become a normal person again. This happens by itself and I have absolutely no control over it.
This is connected to the Kalki Avatar:
“Whenever the Law declines and the purpose of life is forgotten, I manifest myself on earth. I am born in every age to protect the good, to destroy evil, and to reestablish the Law” … (Hinduism. Bhagavad-Gita 4.7-8.)
All these 3 powers ~ Mahdi, Messiah and Kalki Avatar combined make up the world savior. This world savior is destined to save the mankind from the rigors of today. The day to day lowering of human values, humans behaving more like a vicious animal (it is ironic sometimes it is difficult to distinguish human beings from animals), the breaking up of relationships between the family members, between communities and on larger scale the countries has become the order of the day. Such a one fully prepared and powered to address the ills of today head-on and shall annihilate the ills of today and make the humanity step forward towards a new golden era… the Satyuga ~ the golden period. He shall be one who makes dharma or pure religion prevail over numerous other corrupted religions followed world-wide. One who brings all countries on a common platform… can only be the deliverer! The society as of today awaits the coming of this world savior! Call him the Messiah of the masses or the downtrodden denizens of the society… coming of him would be a boon to the mankind at large!
My case is in some ways similar to that of Prophet Younas (as) as mentioned in the Holy Quran. He was called by Allah the Most High for a divine mission but initially chose to run away from it. Many times over the years I too have tried to avoid getting too deeply into spiritual and religious things and have tried my level best to lead a normal life. But every time I tried to do that, Allah the Most High would pull me back into it and this has happened several times during the past few years. Since I could not run away from Allah’s call, I had no option but to submit humbly to it.
“The Imam who will create a world state…….His mind will be free from desires of bringing harm and injury to humanity. Such a knowledge to him will be like the property which was wrongly possessed by others and for which he was waiting for the Permission to repossess and use……. With such a start he will establish an empire of God in this world. He Will be the final demonstration and proof of God’s merciful wish to Acquaint man with the right ways of life”……. (Islam. Nahjul Balagha, Khutba 141, 187)
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(email feedback) :
Dear Brother Naushad Somji,
Thanks for your kind mail. Certainly you are a blessed soul. I am very happy to read about the experiences you have undergone. Strange are the ways of the Almighty and He alone knows about His scheme of things. Nothing is impossible for Him to do. Yes He can make a person a Messiah in one night as He did with the Prophet. My personal opinion is that one should leave oneself in His hands and pray Him for His grace. He alone knows what He wants to do.
I have read your book completely. It appears that the God Almighty has chosen you for some special work. The mystery would unfold in due course. I pray that you prove His worthy instrument. It also appears to me that you should pray “Thy Will Be Done”. I am sure He would reveal His Will and lead you to the work for which He has so kindly chosen you. My prayers for you. May the Great Masters help you in your mission.
With Kind Regards,
Sufi Brother
Assalam o Alaikum, May i get the Hadith, In which The Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad(SAWW) had sad to Jibrael (A.S) to go and see who is giving you messages that you come with. At that time, Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(SAWW) was in Masjid-e-Nabwi combing His beard. Hazrat Jibrael (A.S) replied, Ya Rasool’Allah(SAWW) i cannot do this because i don’t have permission to perform this,there is a hijab and i couldn’t see what is behind it. Hazrat Muhammad(SAWW) has said I am giving you permission go and and see. Hazrat Jibrael(A.S) went and remove the hijab from the place where he was getting the message, he shocked when he saw, The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad(SAWW) their, combing His beard. He came back very fast and saw, Hazrat Muhammad(SAWW) was combing His beard. He was shocked. That i am going up and down with no reason because Huzoor Pak(SAWW) was giving message from upwards and recieving here also on earth. But Our Peer Sahab says that Huzoor Pak (SAWW) was on sky in His another (libaas/roop/clothes) name Hazrat ‘Ahmed’ (SAWW) and on earth in his (libaas/roop/clothes) name Hazrat ‘Muhammad’ (SAWW). Kindly tell me the Hadith that in which i can found this. Thank you.
Regards
Anas Muneer.
Hmm it appears like your website ate my first
comment (it was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I wrote and say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog.
I too am an aspiring blog blogger but I’m still new to everything. Do you have any suggestions for first-time blog writers? I’d really appreciate
it.
I would like to join your sufi spiritual group.
nicepersonuk@yahoo.com