Shari’ah and Tariqah

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....
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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,...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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...
Read More »

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).
Read More »

Shaykh al-Islam Mawlana Husayn Ahmad Madani (may Allah enlighten his resting place) has also stressed in his letters that the original purpose of Suluk is ihsan. In one epistle he writes, "My respected one. The original purpose of Suluk is ihsan -- 'that you worship Allah as if you are seeing him' (Al-Hadith). In other words an ingrained ability should develop in the salik and this should be at the beginning. As to the end, then that...
Read More »

It has been mentioned above that Sayyiduna Jibril (may Allah grant him peace) asked the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), "What is ihsan?" The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) replied, "Ihsan is that you worship Allah as if you are seeing him..." Tariqah in reality is another name for ihsan, or the way to acquire the quality of ihsan. It is this that is called Tasawwuf and Suluk, or name it what you wish -- these...
Read More »