The Reality of the Sufis and the Errors of Muhammad 'Alawi al-Maliki

Question:
I have recently heard that there is a fifth school of jurisprudence called the Sufi school, and that there are books written by Muhammad 'Alawi al-Maliki about this Sufi school. What is your opinion, may Allah reward you, regarding this school? Do you advise reading these books? May Allah reward you a thousand times over.

Answer:
No, the Sufis are not one school; they are many schools, many schools. What this Muhammad al-Maliki did is not related to the Sufis only; it relates to the Sufis and others. He has major errors, some of which relate to the Sufis, and in any Sufi school, in some matters. Some of it relates to major shirk (associating partners with Allah), which he fell into in some of his books... he permits major shirk—may Allah protect us from it—and worshipping other than Allah and calling upon other than Allah—we ask Allah for safety from it. He has major errors; some of them are religious innovations, some are close to some of the Sufi schools, and some are major shirk. They consider calling upon the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) for aid, seeking refuge in the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and calling upon him, and this is major shirk. We seek refuge in Allah. We ask Allah to return him to the truth and guidance.