What is the place of Sufism in Islam? Also, some people who claim to be Sufis or their followers hold the phenomenon that their experience has to give them high regard and they are closer to Allah.
But are the Sufi shaykhs in contact with Allah?
Praise be to Allah, the One who sent the Prophet (PBUH) to explain the true religion to the human nation.
Where The Word Sufism Came From
It is worth noting that the word Sufism was not known at the time of the Messenger, the Sahaabah or the Taabieen. It’s at the time a group of ascetics who wore wool (Soof) emerged, and this name was given to them.
Like most people claim that the world Sufism was derived from al-Safa (purity), however, it’s not but derived either from the word -soof – or taken from the word soofiya (Sophia) which means wisdom in Greek.
The emergence of this new group worsen the divisions among Muslims, that said, the later Sufis are also known for spreading bidah (innovation) among the people.
The innovations the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) warned us of. A Reported by al-Tirmidhi, who said it is Saheeh Hasan: Beware of newly-invented things, for every newly-invented thing is an innovation and every innovation is going astray.
The Beliefs And Rituals of Sufism
Sufism beliefs are not the same as that of Islam, because the foundation on which the aqeedah (belief) of Muslims is based in the Qur’an and Hadith, however, the Sufis belief has no stand in the Qur’an and Hadith.
Read on to see the proof.
Sufism Has Different Tareeqahs
Sufism has different tareeqahs (branches), such as the Teejaniyyah, Qaadiriyyah, Naqshbandiyyah, Shaadhiliyyah, Rifaaiyyah, and Sulaimoniyah in Nigeria, the followers all claim that their particular tariqah is on the path of truth while the others are following falsehood.
Something Islam forbids. As Allah (The Greatest) says: and be not of al-mushrikoon,
Of those who split up their religion and became sects, each sect rejoicing in that which is with it. [al-Room 30:31-32]
Sufis Worship Others Than Allah
The Sufis are known for calling (when they need help or want to give thanks) Yaa Jeelaani, Yaa Rifaai [calling on their awliya] or O Messenger of Allah, affirming that their dependence is on to him – not Allah alone.
In contrast, Allah forbids us to call on anyone except Him in matters that are beyond the person’s capabilities. By doing that, Allaah will count him as a mushrik, as He says:
And invoke not, besides Allaah, any that will neither profit you, nor hurt you, but if (in case) you did so, you shall certainly be one of the zaalimoon (polytheists and wrongdoers). [Yoonus 10:106]
Sufis Believe That There Are Awliya – kinds of saints
The Sufis believe that there are abdaal, aqtaab and awliya – to whom Allah has given the power to run the affairs of the universe. Amazingly Allah tells us about the mushrikeen:
Say [O Muhammad]: And who disposes of the affairs? They will say. Allah. [Yoonus 10:31]
It’s sad that the mushrik Arabs knew more about Allah than these Sufis!
The Sufis turn to other than Allah when calamity strikes, but the mushrik which Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) fought believe in that, still they were not claimed to be Muslims.
To prove the mistakes of Sufis. Allah says: And if Allah touches you with harm, none can remove it but He, and if He touches you with good, then He is Able to do all things. [al-Anaam 6:17]
Some Sufis Believe In Wahdat al-wujood (unity of existence)
It’s sad that some Sufis believe in wahdat al-wujood (unity of existence). Saying everything is the creation and everything is god because they do not have the idea of a Creator and His creation.
The Sufis advocate extreme asceticism in this life as proof that against that. Allah says:
But seek with that (wealth) which Allaah has bestowed on you, the home of the Hereafter, and forget not your portion of legal enjoyment in this world [al-Qasas 28:77]
And make ready against them all that you can of power [al-Anfaal 8:60]
Sufism beliefs are more than this, in fact, these are a tip of an iceberg of what they have in their chest.
Conclusion
With regard to the question of whether the Sufi shaykhs have some kind of contact. Their contact is with the shayaateen, not with Allaah, but they inspire one another with adorned speech as a delusion, as Allah says:
And so We have appointed for every Prophet, enemies shayaateen (devils) among mankind and jinns, inspiring one another with adorned speech as a delusion (or by way of deception). If your Lord had so willed, they would not have done it [al-Anaam 6:112]
And Allah is the One who Guides the Straight Path.