The Defense of the Sunnah: An Analysis of the Theory and Practices Of Tasawwuf (Sufism) by Ibrahim Muhammad Hakim ash-Shaghouri
The
purpose of
this book is to
educate the reader about some of the beliefs
of Sufis and
their practices,
and to demonstrate how they are in full
accordance with
the Sharia.
Tasawwuf from
the very beginning has always been integral to the Din, functioning
as the realization and implementation of the pillar of Ihsan in the
being of the Muslim.
Tasawwuf is not a madhhab,
nor a sect,
nor an ideology, nor a cult, nor a foreign import, nor an heretical
invention. It
is nothing other than a science concerning the reality of Allah, His
Messenger, and
the self, transmitted faithfully and without interruption from
the Prophet (sallAllahu
`aleihi wa sallam) himself. It is the belief of the writer that the
current corruption of
the Ummah and
its degradation is
a direct result - of among other things - the crumbling away of the
pivotal pillar of Ihsan as
realized through the practice of Tasawwuf and
its principles.
In
the words of one Muslim leader:
Syed
Zayn al-Abedin: "Many
calamities have befallen the Ummah during the last 200 years, but one
of the worst has been the rejection of Tasawwuf. We find ourselves
without coherent leadership and following self-proclaimed scholars
who teach a dry, literalist and legalistic religion cut off from its
traditional and spiritual heritage. In some cases this develops into
a harsh and uncompromising political ideology, with violent results.
While we understand the sources of this ideology, we cannot condone
its methods or attitude. Islamic civilization, which was remarkably
stable and united for over 1200 years, is now in a crisis of
disunity."
It is unfortunate, then, that something as
essential as Tasawwuf should have enemies, whether they be from
within (those who believe that Tasawwuf can be divorced from Islam)
or without (those who believe Tasawwuf never belonged to Islam). It
is my hope that with an honest and thorough study of this book and
others like it, the reader will come to an understanding of the
integral place of Tasawwuf as one of the sciences of Islam, not just
due to simple acceptance of my words, but based on authentic
knowledge from the Quran and Sunnah and rightly guided scholars. The
Din will be revived in its fullness by the return of Tasawwuf to its
rightful place in the lives of the Muslims. It is hoped that this
will aid in the spreading and rooting of Islam in the hearts of
Muslims and non-Muslims alike, in accordance with the promise of
Allah:{ He is the One Who has sent His messenger with the Din of
Truth, to have it overcome all other religions and ways of life, and
Allah is sufficient as a Witness. } (Quran, Sura Al-Fath (Victory)
48, vers 28)
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Tawassul
Regarding Ibn
Taymiyya
Quote: “Even Ibn Taymiyya, who throughout his life wrote against Tawassul, changed his mind at the end of his life and agreed that it is permissible.”
"Documented by: Ibn Kathir (Bidaya wa Nihaya14:45), Ibn Rajab (Dhayl Tabaqat al-Hanabila 4:515), and others."
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