How Should We Understand Early Muslims’ Critiques of the Sufis?

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

The Sufis discuss ma‘rifa and loving God a lot, but there doesn’t seem to be much of this when we look at the early generations. There seemed to be more of an emphasis on fear of God. Furthermore, the Sufis talk about gaining special knowledge of God and realities that doesn’t seem to have any precedent in prophetic times, that is, there don’t seem to be instances of the Sahaba having knowledge inspired to their hearts. Furthermore, Imam Ahmad and Abu Zur‘a critiqued al-Harith al-Muhasibi, who was an early Sufi. I understand the acceptability of Sufism from your other answers, but what of the instances of the early Muslims critiquing the Sufis?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the All-Merciful, the Ever-Merciful.

All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all beings, and may peace and blessings be upon our master Muhammad.

I pray you are well.

Sufism (tasawwuf) is a methodology for applying the teachings of the Quran and the Sunna to rid oneself of blameworthy traits and acquire praiseworthy states. [Ibn ‘Ajiba, Iqaz al-Himam] Beyond this, some aspects of the science deal with knowledge that is granted directly by Allah Most High to a person and the spiritual states that accompany such gifts.

The Quran and the Sunna do refer to such matters, but the main focus of revelation’s guidance is to take people out of the darkness of disbelief into the light of faith. Examples of this are descriptions of the special knowledge Sayyiduna al-Khadir (peace be upon him) had, as mentioned in Sura al-Kahf, and Sayyidina Umar (Allah be pleased with him) being of those who received revelation, as mentioned in the hadith of Sahih al-Bukhari:

“Indeed, amongst those before you of Banu Israel were men who were spoken to without being prophets. If there is any of them from my nation, it is ‘Umar.” [Bukhari] This refers to one of the fruits of applying the Quran and the Sunna. Practical Sufism is at the center of the teachings of Islam, and the experiential element of it pertains to those whom Allah blesses with these gifts.

Imam Ahmad criticized Imam al-Harith al-Muhasibi for delving into discussions on kalam, not for his speaking about matters of Sufism.

Scholars such as Imam Abu l-Qasim al-Qushayri and Imam Abu Bakr al-Kalabadi wrote their respective works, the Epistle and the Introduction to the Way of the People of Tasawwuf, to clarify Sufi beliefs and methodology and show that they align completely with the goals and aims of revelation. The famous quote from Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi says it all: “Our way is supported by the Quran and the Sunna,” and in another version, “Our way is underpinned by the Quran and the Sunna.” [Qushayri, al-Risala]

May Allah allow us to benefit from these great masters who have preceded us in fully understanding and applying the Quran and the Sunna.

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Related Answers

One. What Is the Stance of Ibn Al-Jawzi Regarding Sufism and Why Did He Write Talbis Iblis? — Shaykh Faraz Rabbani: Critiques of specific errors and tendencies, not of the path itself.

Two. Was Sufism Recommended by the Prophet? — Shaykh Yusuf Weltch: Sufism as purification and ihsan; the term is later, the meaning original.

Three. I Heard That Imam Malik Was Sufi, Is That True? — Shaykh Yusuf Weltch: The early imams and the spiritual path.

Four. How Do You Balance Love, Fear, and Hope in Allah? — Shaykh Irshaad Sedick: Love, fear, and hope held together.