SUFIS AND SALAFISTS, IT IS TIME FOR PEACE

Sufism yes, Sufism no… For some time now, from the observatory of the blog, we have been silently watching the centuries-old bickering within the Ummah between Muslims who denigrate tasawwuf and Muslims who instead defend it as an integral part of Islām, even though they are not necessarily Sufis themselves. It is a fight to the death, where there no longer seems to be room for dialogue and for a civil and balanced confrontation between points of view which, although divergent, are prompted by the common, good, and just intention of pleasing our Lord, Allāh Subḥānahu wa Ta’āla.

However, it should be noted that the levels of animosity, if not mutual hatred achieved, are largely due to the exaggeratedly intransigent attitude of many among the Salafist friends, brothers and sisters.

On the one hand, we have no difficulty in recognizing how the thought and preaching of Sheikh Muḥammad ibn ʿAbd al-Wahhāb were moved by shareable concerns, in the “effort” to hermetically close the door of Religion to every form of shīrkh, the great enemy of Tawḥīd, a constant test placed on the path of faith and knowledge of every Muslim. On the other hand, even amid worry the necessary wasatia must be maintained, so as to prevent that to be closed will be the door of reason and reasonableness.

“Associating” every bizarre form of pseudo-religiosity with Sufism, or denying that tasawwuf, understood as the search for contemplative life, is an integral part of Islām, means looking at reality with a blurred sight, and with only one eye a correct discernment is impossible.

Orthodox Sufism fully respects the rules of Sharīʿah, what harm is there in recognizing it? No bid’ah or attempt to “tamper with Islam”. And we say this without having any sympathy for dances and pirouettes, since they are often conducive to dangerous deviations from Islām in a New Age style, or between the comic and the ridiculous (this must also be admitted).

In short, tasawwuf is in itself a serious matter, but not the behavior of all Sufis is serious as it should be. At the same time, cannot this be applied to all Islamic currents?

On Sufism, Ibn Taymiyya has left us an assessment which seem to be  “fair”. Yes, right him: “People have different opinions on Sufis. Some of them exaggerate and see them as the greatest Muslims. There are some who see all Sufis as innovators who have abandoned Islām, but this is defamatory. The best opinion about them is that they are a hard-working Islamic faction, who has worked hard to get to the truth. Thus, some of them are unjust to themselves, some are measured, and some compete in doing good works. There are also factions that do not belong to the Sufis at all”.

Are there differences between Sufis and Salafists on theological and doctrinal issues? Let us reopen the discussion, also as a way of purifying our hearts. We might discover that we are all wrong, Allāh a’alam. But enough with prejudices, stereotypes, unfounded allegations, and ferocious insults, because they are anti-Islamic, especially the latter. And may those of the “Ahl as-Sunnah wa al-Jama’ah” be patient, without being carried away by provocations.

Hold fast all together to the rope of Allāh and do not divide among yourselves and remember the grace that Allāh has granted you: when you were enemies it is He who reconciled your hearts and by His grace you became brothers. And when you were on the edge of an abyss of fire, it is He who saved you. Thus Allāh manifests his signs to you so that you may be guided (Sūrat ‘Āli’ Imrân, 3:103).

Sufis and Salafists, we are called to make a great “effort” to restore our brotherhood in Islām which unfortunately has failed. Let us overcome the fractures that weaken the entire Ummah, leaving “partisanship” to those alleged Muslims who use Islām to engage in politics and satisfy their sense of protagonism of their nafs, as if they were candidates in an electoral campaign. Sufis and Salafists, it is time for peace. Bi’ithnillāh.