Adhering to the Prophetic Sunnah vs. Innovated Paths
Question:
The final question asks: I follow a Sufi path (Tariqa), and I do not hold any beliefs regarding the Sheikh that contradict the Sharia. The matter is simply that I view the Sheikh as a teacher who guides toward the path of the Law, in total accordance with the noble Sharia only. However, he organizes legitimate remembrances (dhikr) that contain goodness, and he says nothing other than what has been brought by the Sunnah or the Book (the Quran). What is your opinion on following it?
Answer:
Our view is that a believer must make the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) the one followed above all else, in accordance with the words of the Almighty: ‘Say (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم to mankind): “If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur’ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins.’ (Aal Imran: 31).
If this is the goal and the fundamental principle for this man—and he is unable to reach the truth by himself due to a deficiency in his knowledge or understanding—and he relies on a person to guide him toward the Sharia and toward goodness, then there is no harm in that. However, this is on the condition that this person does not belong to a specific Tariqa (Sufi order) among the various paths, but rather belongs to the way/path of the Pious Predecessors (Salaf) and to what the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) indicate.
Regarding the organized remembrances (adhkar/dhikr) that some worshippers arrange: if these adhkar are according to what was reported in this specific manner from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), then they are followable. However, if they contradict what was reported, then they are an innovation (bid’ah). Even if the origin of the remembrance is legitimate, organizing it in a specific [unreported] manner is considered an innovation.
Therefore, we say: worship (ibadah) requires evidence regarding its reason, its genus, its type, its quantity, its timing, and its place. It is essential that the worship performed by the servant matches the Sharia in these six matters:
- Its reason must be known through Sharia.
- Its genus (category) must be known through Sharia.
- Its type must be known through Sharia.
- Its quantity must be known through Sharia.
- Its timing must be known through Sharia.
- Its place must be known through Sharia.
If any of these six matters differ, then the worship contains an innovation proportional to how much it deviates from the Sunnah. So, my brother, you must follow the Pious Predecessors (al-Salaf al-Salih) and be diligent in their methodology. Leave the paths that have been newly invented, for the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) says: ‘Every newly invented matter is an innovation (bid’ah), every innovation is a misguidance, and every misguidance is in the Fire.’