The majority of Hafiz Ibn Rajab’s books are full of mention of the Sufi shaykhs, and their words and condition. We shall suffice here with several quotations from his excellent book Al-Dhayl ‘ala Tabaqat al-Hanabilah. All of those who he mentions and who we shall mention are Hanbali predecessors, or from those to whom the shaykhs of the Salafi movement attribute themselves. By this, the purpose will be achieved in the best way, insha-Allah, and it is He Most High upon Whom trust is...
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Hafiz Ibn Kathir mentions in Al-Bidayah wa ‘l-Nihayah (part 11, p. 180) regarding those eminent individuals who died in 322 ah:
Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn al-Qasim Abu ‘Ali al-Rudhbari -- it is said his name was Ahmad ibn Muhammad and also said al-Husayn ibn al-Humam; the first is correct. He was originally from Baghdad and lived in Egypt. He was from the offspring of leaders, viziers and learned men.
He remained in the company of Junayd, heard hadith and...
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Tasawwuf was the special focus of the seniors of Deoband who, on completion of their exoteric studies, would not rest until they had achieved proficiency in the esoteric sciences to become ‘ulama who embodied the two wings of Shari‘ah and Tariqah. The letters of the seniors of Deoband are replete with discussions on Tasawwuf and highlight the importance that they gave to spiritual reformation. The following is a collection of three letters between Imam Rabbani Mawlana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi and Mawlana Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri....
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Imam Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali mentions in Dhayl Tabaqat al-Hanabilah (part 2, p.301) in the biographies of some jurists: ‘Abdullah ibn Abu Bakr ibn Abu al-Badr Muhammad al-Harbi al-Baghdadi, the faqih, the faqir, the ascetic (zahid), the exemplar and the remainder of the shaykhs of Iraq. He was also known by the name Katilah …
He was an exemplary person, an ascetic, a person of worship and one of many spiritual states (hal) and miracles. The people of government and others would extol and revere...
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Ibn al-Qayyim writes in Madarij al-Salikin (vol.2, p.464): Section — from among the stations of, “It is you who we worship and it is you from who we seek aid,” (4:1) there is the station of knowledge (‘ilm). If this station does not accompany the salik from the first step that he places in the path until the last, then his suluk will be on another path; the path of connecting to Allah (wusul) is cut off from him, the paths of guidance are...
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Imam Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim is known for his depth in the matters and intricacies of Tasawwuf, his great book Madarij al-Salikin bears testimony to this. I shall, insha Allah, soon quote some important sections of his precious words in relation to some beneficial and well-researched discussions pertaining to a collection of matters relating to Tasawwuf.
Prior to this, I wish to quote two short biographies of Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim -- the first by Hafiz Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali and the second by Professor Muhammad Musallam al-Ghunaymi,...
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Imam Muhammad bin Saud Islamic University in Riyadh held a “Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab Week” in which all of the shaykh’s writings were distributed in twelve volumes. Through the grace of Allah, I studied each volume page by page and never came across any place in which Shaykh Muhammad bin ‘Abd al-Wahhab criticises, refutes or rejects Tasawwuf or any one of the Sufi shaykhs on account of his Tasawwuf. These books are easily available and sold in markets and bookstores; it is possible...
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The following is the introduction to the incomplete yet ongoing translation of Shaykh 'Abd al-Hafiz's "Mawqif A'immat al-Harakat al-Salafiyyah min al-Tasawwuf wa al-Sufiyyah". In this book, the author, a student and khalifah of Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya al-Kandhalawi, produces a large number of quotes from the writings of seven leading personalities who are viewed favourably by those who claim to adhere to the fiqh and 'aqidah of the Salaf.
The translation of this book is largely complete and will be produced in small...
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Know that the pledge is Sunnah and not obligatory. This is because the folk took the pledge from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) and sought proximity by it with Allah Most High, and there is no evidence indicating that one who foregoes it is a sinner, neither did any of the Imam's rebuke anyone who abstained from it.
Know that the Sunnah of Allah Most High is that affairs which are subtle and hidden in the consciousness are determined by actions...
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Suluk means to constantly keep the parts of the body and the heart occupied in the obedience of Allah Most High. This should be done in accordance with the Shari'ah and the noble Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) to such a degree that it becomes second nature and it is no more a burden to practice on the din (religion).
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