What is the ruling of Islam regarding the Sufi orders, and are they an innovation or did they exist in the Prophetic era?
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The questioner : He says:The questioner : This is a recurring question. What is the ruling of Islam regarding the Sufi orders? Are they an innovation, or did they exist in the time of the Messenger?
The Shaykh : First, it is obligatory that the question not be directed to a person in this form, asking "What is the ruling of Islam?" because the person may err or may be correct. If he errs, to whom is his error attributed? To Islam, unless it is qualified by saying, "What is the ruling of Islam in your opinion?" which is fine. Otherwise, let him say, "What do you see?" As for the Sufi path, it is necessary that the brother questioner clarify to us what the Sufi path is, because we are unaware of it, and the ruling on a thing is a consequence of understanding it. If he has knowledge, let him please explain to us now what the Sufi path is so that a ruling can be issued on it?
The questioner : ... It is a path with specific invocations (awrad) and specific dhikr, and it obligates people to perform these dhikr and awrad. He claims that he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and that he ordered him to pray on the Mawlid and to do such and such. He has followers and groups. They beat the hand drum and recite dhikr.
The Shaykh : In any case, there is no doubt that adopting specific invocations (awrad) with a specific number or in a specific manner for which there is no basis in the Shari'ah is undoubtedly a religious innovation (bid'ah), and every religious innovation is misguidance, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. Likewise, if the dhikr is accompanied by hand drums, shaking of heads, beating on the ground, and the like, it is also a religious innovation. Indeed, beating drums is a sin, because it is not permissible to beat drums. The hand drum is lesser; it is permissible to beat it at weddings and celebrations and the like. But beating drums is forbidden. If these people do not remember Allah except in disobedience to Him, then their path is a blameworthy religious innovation that must be refuted. Yes.
The Shaykh : First, it is obligatory that the question not be directed to a person in this form, asking "What is the ruling of Islam?" because the person may err or may be correct. If he errs, to whom is his error attributed? To Islam, unless it is qualified by saying, "What is the ruling of Islam in your opinion?" which is fine. Otherwise, let him say, "What do you see?" As for the Sufi path, it is necessary that the brother questioner clarify to us what the Sufi path is, because we are unaware of it, and the ruling on a thing is a consequence of understanding it. If he has knowledge, let him please explain to us now what the Sufi path is so that a ruling can be issued on it?
The questioner : ... It is a path with specific invocations (awrad) and specific dhikr, and it obligates people to perform these dhikr and awrad. He claims that he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and that he ordered him to pray on the Mawlid and to do such and such. He has followers and groups. They beat the hand drum and recite dhikr.
The Shaykh : In any case, there is no doubt that adopting specific invocations (awrad) with a specific number or in a specific manner for which there is no basis in the Shari'ah is undoubtedly a religious innovation (bid'ah), and every religious innovation is misguidance, as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. Likewise, if the dhikr is accompanied by hand drums, shaking of heads, beating on the ground, and the like, it is also a religious innovation. Indeed, beating drums is a sin, because it is not permissible to beat drums. The hand drum is lesser; it is permissible to beat it at weddings and celebrations and the like. But beating drums is forbidden. If these people do not remember Allah except in disobedience to Him, then their path is a blameworthy religious innovation that must be refuted. Yes.