The Danger of Sufi Gnosticism and the Virtue of Simple Fitrah-based Faith

Preserving the essence of pure Islamic creed is the ultimate objective for a Muslim in this life. The simplicity of faith that fills the heart of the common Muslim—who may possess only enough knowledge to establish prayer and realize monotheism—is of greater value and safer in consequence than immersion in the labyrinths of esoteric philosophies.

Scholars, both past and present, have warned against the dangers of Sufi paths that deviate from the Sunnah and drown in esoteric utterances that obscure the religion for the people, regardless of their proponents' claims of knowledge or spiritual seclusions.

For a Muslim to live in ignorance behind cattle, knowing nothing of science save for the chapters of the Qur'an with which he prays, while believing in Allah and the Last Day, is far better for him than this Sufi Gnosticism and these esoteric sayings, even if he were to read a hundred books or perform a hundred seclusions.

Source: Lisan al-Mizan, Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar, Vol. 7, p. 391.