"SUFI AND SALAFI"? - A brief response ...

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

from a discussion on 'Singapore Da'wah & Islah Community" group on FB

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question:

Khairu Rejal (Singapore) wrote:

Salaam Ust,

Thank you for comment, but it seems, and please correct me, that we have derailed from the topic of discussion. Or maybe you feel that we shouldn't pursue this any longer.

Seems that I may be not the right person to comment on the above, perhaps you could share with us your thoughts?

My major concern, if I may share, is the constant tension that exist even in tiny Singapore and its 500, 000 (something) Malay and/ or Muslims with regards to issue of the topic.

Sincerely,

A student

------------------------------------------------------------------



Wa'alaykum salaam warahmatullaah,

If you were to ask me: "What is Tasawwuf?"

My respond would be:

"By Tasawwuf : It is to strive to practice Islam (i.e. establish in oneself the state of Islam - in Haal and maqom - i.e. becoming truly a Muslim) at the level of Ihsaan"

- even if you reject the term or usage of "Tasawwuf" (perhaps some charging those who use this terminology as Bid'ah i.e. innovation), but, would you reject my response? (i.e. we have "to practice Islam at level of Ihsan?")

You may then ask: "What or who are Salaf?"

My response would be:

" It is referring to that blessed three generations which our Prophet spoke of whence termed the 'khayra ummah' - that subsequent generations (khalaf) are told to refer back to, in terms of principles and broad methodolgy regarding how we should be following this Deen, as exemplified and established by the True ones amongst them, and not to sweve from it's manhaaj."

All Muslims, from whichever Madzaahib, in principle, they all rightfully have a claim to adhere to the methodology (manhaaj) of the "Salaf" - yet they must honestly acknowledge themselves to be people of "Khalaf"' generation. Any of them claiming theirs is the only true interpretation and liked to be regarded to be the only"Salafi", is trying to present a truncated 'Madzhab', by disregarding history and rights of other madzaahib which have similar chains of connection (sanad) to the "Salaf" generation and may also be adhering to the broad manhaaj of our Righteous predecessors (Salaafus-soleh) .

Those who claimed to be the 'sole' & exclusive follower of the 'Salaf' styling themselves "Salafi" are in fact (unknowingly perhaps) accusing others who are not from their Madzhab to be wrong and astray, whereas the term "Khalaf" acknowledges a number of madzaahib (although having differences, yet) which are accepted as still adhering to the correct broad methodology and creed of the Salaf (termed Madzhaab mu'tabar). Their differences (khilaafiyyah) does not make them to be outside of this Ummah. i.e.the Ahlul Qiblah.

If you need to know further, please humbly study the history of Islam (e.g. the Kitaab 'Milal wan Nihal' and 'Tarikh Tashri') from a true Islamic scholar. Sadly, our curriculum are now being diluted, nay re-directed to 'fun' rather than the traditional Fardhu 'ain knowledge. Allaahu musta'an.

The "constant tension" you brought up is due to confusion and ignorance in our community, compounded by many shortcomings in the Islamic education for the masses; the loss of Adab; the rise of false 'leaders and scholars'; the 'absence' (because our community have forgotten, neglected, ignored or sidelined them) of our traditional 'ulama (by traditional - i.e. not truncated but connected to the blessed chains of previous generations of 'ulama); the bickering amongst the ignorants; the silence of the learned; the plotting of the enemies of Islam; diminishing spirit of Jihaad and Da'wah in tthe community; the ....etc.. (I'll have to stop here, although there are more factors).

Those who styled themselves as "Sufi" may also be guilty of trying to claim exclusivity. as though others do not have "Ihsan" as an important and indispensable aspect of their Deen, i.e. except only they themselves, the Sufi's"? Yet they dare to claim of being masters in "tazkiyyatun-Nufus", whereas their 'ujub (self-conceit) may have got the better of themselves in their jidaal (disputations) with the 'Salafis' - laa hawla wa-laa quw-wata il-laa billaah!
What a paradox!

Thus it is correct what the others have already said. e.g. @Amran: "it is is futile (to talk about Sufism) because you probably know that a lot about sufism is to be experienced."

I'll conclude with a quote from Imam Malik (rah.a):

من تصوف و لم يتفقه فقد تزندق

.
و من تفقه و لم يتصوف فقد تفسق

.
و من جمع بينهما فقد تحقق

"He who practices Sufism (Tasawwuf) without learning Sacred Law (Fiqh) corrupts his Faith, while he who learns Sacred Law without practicing Sufism corrupts himself. Only he who combines the two proves true."

and Imam Muhammad Idris al-Shafi`i [rah. a.] advises us:

فقيْها وصفيّا فكنْ ليْس واحدا

.
فإنّي وحقّ الله إيّاك أنْصه

"(Be both) a faqih (scholar of Sacred law) and a sufi (an adept practicing Tasawwuf): do not be only one of these; Verily, by Allah's truth, I am advising you sincerely."

[al-Shafi`i, Diwan, (Beirut and Damascus: Dar al-fikr) p. 47]

... and if we want to refer to ourselves, just humbly refer using the term which Allah taught us i.e. as "Muslims":

وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ قَوۡلاً۬ مِّمَّن دَعَآ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ

.

وَعَمِلَ صَـٰلِحً۬ا وَقَالَ إِنَّنِى مِنَ ٱلۡمُسۡلِمِينَ

"Who is better in speech than one who calls (men) to Allah, works righteousness, and says "I am of those who bow in Islam - (minal MUSLIMEEN)"?

(Qur'an: Fussilat: 41: 33)

waAllaahu a'lam

May Allah make us to benefit from whatever knowledge which He has taught us, and may Allah grant us more knowledge which will be beneficial to us.

was-salaam

zhulkeflee

-----------------------------------------------------