Warning Against Sufi Extremism and Their Creedal Deviations

In light of the emergence of strange patterns of Sufi extremism under various names in this era, it has become a religious duty to warn against these paths that touch the core of the Islamic creed; for protecting the sanctity of Tawhid (Monotheism) is the ultimate objective of religion, and any leniency in this regard may lead to the corruption of belief from its roots.

Prominent Creedal and Behavioral Deviations

• Claiming to see the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions while awake: A claim that lacks legal evidence and opens a wide door for the whispers of Satan and his deception of the servants.

• The doctrine of Hulul (Incarnation) and Ittihad (Unification): One of the most false and dangerous beliefs, where it is believed that the Creator dwells within the creation or the universe, which is in direct conflict with the Monotheism of the Lord of the Worlds.

• The dropping of religious obligations: Under the pretext of reaching a station where acts of worship fall away, which is a demolition of the pillars of religion that are never dropped from a legally responsible person as long as their intellect remains sound.

• Seeking aid from other than Allah (Istighatha): Supplicating to the dead and the 'saints' and seeking support from them, whereas the Holy Qur’an settled this matter by saying:

If you invoke them, they do not hear your supplication; and if they heard, they would not respond to you.

(Surah Fatir: 14)

The Stance of the Salaf Imams on Sufi Innovations

The imams of Islam stood as an impenetrable fortress against these innovations; it is narrated that Imam al-Shafi’i said: "If you see a man walking on water or flying in the air, do not be deceived by him until you weigh his matter against the Book and the Sunnah." Likewise, Imam Malik denounced dancing and swaying during Dhikr, saying: "I have not heard of anyone from the people of Islam doing this."

Tawhid is the purest element of this religion, and everything that taints it—such as believing in the knowledge of the unseen for other than Allah, sacrificing for other than Allah, or believing that the deceased control provisions—is a direct assault on the testimony of 'La ilaha illa Allah'.

In conclusion, we recall the words of al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar which confirm that the soundness of creed precedes everything; for a Muslim who lives simply as a monotheist is better off than immersing himself in esotericism that corrupts his religion and certainty.