Tarufism And Islamic Sufism: Concepts And Practices

Introduction

Sufism or Islamic mysticism as described by some, is a mix of very many different concepts and practices such as deception, poverty, singing, dancing, seclusion and extreme ascetism; all coming from a mix of different religions and dogmas, all on the supposed path to seeking Allah. It gives the impression that Islam is a religion with meaningless rituals; which is completely opposite to the real Islam and the way a Muslim is supposed to believe in Allah by following the Qur’an and the examples and sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

History

According to Imam Ibn Al Jawzi, in his book Talbis Iblis, “Sufism started as a way of extreme asceticism. Later, its followers practiced listening to songs and dancing.”

During the time

They beg for money and enjoy it fully, eating lavishly, dancing, singing, visiting people in the name of religion when it is actually for personal and worldly reasons. This is in line with the way of the Hindu saints and thus the Sufis have adopted their ways and beliefs as well after consorting with them; having given up their way of Islamic orthodoxy.

Sufi Tariqas

Tariqa in Sufism means the Sufi order. There are many tariqas today in Sufism. Each order has a head called the Shaikh or Pir who claims a direct line of descent from the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The Pir denotes the procedures for the followers (mureed) to abide by. In so doing, the mureed is of the belief that by listening to and obeying the Shaikh or “the friend of God”; he hopes to achieve the good and favoured status of his Sufi saint. (Brittanica)

Deviances from the Prophet (SAW)’s examples of Worship and Belief

Islamic way of Qur’an and

There is none like Him and He is Unique in all ways. We cannot liken Him to the ways of us mere humans for He is Our Creator. We are separate from Him as is the rest of His Creation. He is above us in all ways. This is the aqeedah stressed to us by our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) who also taught us by his own example.

Allah Himself says : “There has certainly been for you in the Messenger of Allah an excellent pattern for anyone whose hope is in Allah and the Last Day and [who] remembers Allah often.” (Qur’an Chapter 33 : Verse 21)

However, the Sufis believe that Allah dwells in His creation, that Allah and his creation are united, that there is no differentiation between the two, that they are one entity. (www.islamreligion.com)

These beliefs strongly contradict Tawheed and Oneness of Allah which is the main Fundamental belief of Islam.

Conclusion

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) taught us the true way of worshipping and believing in Allah, which is direct and without any partners or intermediaries. We are directly responsible for our own actions. The Sufis on the other hand have gone against this Principle by taking intermediaries and following them which is completely deviant from the Aqeedah taught to us by The Prophet Muhammad