Musa / Ginny, I sense (I could be wrong) that I may have offended you both by the my postings on this issue. At the onset my intention was to present a diifferent view to the topic in discussion. I agree with you that this discussion is not the type that should degenerate to the me-against-you level. Penning off on this topic is in order. As for Musa's question to me *For the record,are you a salafi or Wahhabi follower* Then my answer to that is I kindly decline to offer an answer. Cheers Salieu >From: musa pembo <[log in to unmask]> >Reply-To: The Gambia and related-issues mailing list ><[log in to unmask]> >To: [log in to unmask] >Subject: Re: A Different View Of Sufism >Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 15:35:55 +0100 > >Brother Salieu, >Thanks for your reply.I have a feeling that you only read the article by >Nuh >Ha Mim Keller without continuing with the rest,because if you had done that >you would have realised that,I quoted the very people you also quoted in >your reply in their own words to avoid the risk of misrepresentation.So,my >dear brother,I would suggest that you do that.I will go along with Sister >Ginny's view that if sufism is not for you,you do not have to participate >in >it.Leave people who are interest in that intragal path of the faith to >follow their conscious and understanding,backed- up by formidable evidence >from the Faith.At this particular time in the history of Islam,what we so >desperately need is tolerance and understanding,which is in short supply in >the camps of salafis and wahhabis.For me,there is far greater things that >binds us as muslims rather than one particular brand of Islam wanting to >dominate the World with their own posturings.I will therefore respectfully >suggest that we agree to disagree on this one and move one.Brothers and >sisters now have enough materials at their disposal to make up their >minds.For the record,are you a salafi or Wahhabi follower? >The best of salam, >Musa > > >On 18/04/06, Sal Barry <[log in to unmask]> wrote: > > > > Musa, > > > > Sufism has been refuted before the time of Imam Abdul Wahab by the likes > > of > > Imam Ahmad, Imam Shaafi'e, Ibn Taymiyah (Eventhough Nuh Ha Mim Keller > > states otherwise below), Ibn Jawzee, and the like. The Wahhabi > > Interpretation you mention below can be misleading because it indicates > > that > > Sufi refutaition began during the time of Imam Abdul Wahab to the >present. > > That is far from being the case. Sufi refutation began as soon as Sufism > > reared it head. The Islam practised in the Desert of Arabia 1400 years >did > > not include believing that the Quran has an outer and inner meaning. The > > lay > > people relegated to understanding the outer meaning and the sheikhs > > understanding both. This is undeniably part of the Aqeedah of the >Sufis. > > > > I will state below the statements of some of the scholars regarding >sufism > > and a refutation of > > Nuh Ha Mim Keller's writings and statements. > > > > WHAT THE ISLAAMIC SCHOLARS HAVE SAID ABOUT SUFISM > > > > Imaam Ash-Shaa'fee on Sufism: > > "If a person exercised Sufism (Tasawafa) at the beginning of the day, he > > does not come to Dhuhur except an idiot." [Talbees Iblees]. > > > > "Nobody accompanied the Sufis forty days and had his brain return >(ever)." > > [Talbees Iblees]. > > > > Concerning the famous Sufi leader, Al-Harith Al-Muhasbi, Imaam Ahmad ibn > > Hanbaal (R) said: > > "Warn (people) from Al-Harith (a Sufi leader) the strongest warning!... >He > > is the shelter of the Ahl Kalaam (people of rhetoric)." [Talbees Iblis]. > > > > Sheikh Al-Madkhalee says in his book * "Haqeeqatus Soofiyyah Fee Dau'il > > Kitaabi Was Sunnah", the following > > As for those authentic and well known books by the 'Ulemah that have > > refuted > > Sufism: > > > > 1. Al-Fataawaa - by Sheikhul Islam Ibn Taymiyah . > > 2. Talbess Iblis - by Ibn Al-Jawzy . > > 3. Tanbeebul-Ghabee ilaa Takfeer Ibn'Arabee - by Burhaanuddeen >Al-Baqaa'ee > > . > > 4. Tahdheerul-'Ibaad min Ahlil-'Inaad bibid'atil-Ittihaad - by >Al-Baqaa'ee > > . > > > > Sufism in the West > > By Hani Abid > > http://www.alarqam.com > > > > PART II: Uncovering those who accept, adopt and spread Sufism > > > > Nuh Ha Mim Keller > > Hamza Yusuf Hanson > > The Sufi Tradition in Toronto > > Abdal-Hakim Murad > > > > PART II: Uncovering those who accept, adopt and spread Sufism > > > > Muslims are like a single body, if a virus attacks one part of it, then > > the > > whole body feels it. It is important to remove any viruses that make >the > > body ill in order for it to remain healthy and strong. Muslims today >are > > very weak because the majority has abandoned the teachings of Quran and > > the > > way of the Prophet PBUH (i.e. his Sunnah). In order to revive the >Islamic > > spirit and rejuvenate the Muslim body, Muslims have to first rid > > themselves > > of the viruses that infect their minds, and develop immunity to viruses >so > > as to quickly recognize them and treat them. These viruses are the > > Bida'as > > that are widespread between Muslims, the cure to which is only through > > returning to the way of the Prophet PBUH and his Sunnah. This is why it > > is > > a duty on every Muslim to inform his/her fellow Muslims about those who > > promote such viruses (Bida'as), to expose their false teachings, and to > > warn > > of the dangers that they spread. > > There's plenty of evidence to inform us of our duty to speak out against > > Bida'a and those who accept, adopt, and spread it. Scholars like Ibn > > Taymiya, As-Shatiby, and Ibn Al-Qayyim set the example for us in their > > writings to follow. Ibn Al-Jawzi wrote a wonderful book called "Talbees > > Iblis" in which he exposed many Bida'as and those who propagate them. >In > > the second chapter of "Tablees Iblis" entitled "Censure of Bida'a and > > People > > of Bida'a", Ibn Al-Jawzi quotes the following examples: > > • Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be please with him, narrated that >the > > Prophet > > PBUH said "Whoever strays away from my Sunnah is not from my [Ummah]" > > (reported by Bukhary). > > • A'isha, may Allah be please with her, narrated that the Prophet > > PBUH said > > "whoever respects and honours a person of Bida'a has assisted in > > destroying > > Islam". > > • It was reported that our righteous predecessors were angered >when > > questioned why they talk about people of Bida'a. One of the righteous > > salaf > > said "my speech about people of Bida'a (i.e. warning about them) is more > > beloved to me than performing extra acts worship for sixty years." > > • It was also related that the righteous predecessors said >""whoever > > loves a > > person of Bida'a, Allah will foil his deeds and remove the light of >Islam > > from his heart". > > • Another one said, "be warned of those who sit with people of > > Bida'a". > > Clearly, this evidence shows that one must expose and warn about Bida'a > > and > > those who spread it. Now that we have established the validity of this > > act, > > we shall proceed to expose those who accept, adopt, and propagate the > > Bida'as of Sufism. > > Nuh Ha Mim Keller > > Nuh Ha Mim Keller, an American Sufi, became Muslim in 1977 and moved to > > Jordan where he currently resides. Keller taught at the first Deen > > Intensive program in Toronto in 1997 along with Hamza Yusuf and others. > > Keller is a member of the 'Alawiya Order, one of the branches of >Shadhili > > Order. 'Alawiya Order is derived from al-'Alawi[1]. Although Keller > > spends > > most of his time in Jordan, he still maintains a number of followers in >in > > the West. > > In order to cast away any doubt about Keller's belief in the Shadhili > > Tariqa, let's examine Keller's own work. > > "Invocations of Shaadhili Order (written by Nuh Ha Mim Keller), on Page >1, > > Keller says: > > "This blessed collection contains those of the invocations and prayers >of > > the Pole and Succor my master Abul Hasan al-Shadhili". > > Comments: The terms "pole" and "succor". The term Pole in Sufi >literature > > means the "perfect man" who holds Allah's attention in this world; all >the > > affairs of creation revolve around him. He takes his way in the >universe, > > both the seen and unseen parts of it, as the spirit takes its way in the > > body. He could also be called al-Gouth (Succor, i.e. helper) because > > people > > seek his assistance in case of adversity. Ahmad al-Tijani (the founder >of > > the Tijani Sufi order) said, "The reality of the Pole status is that he >is > > great vicegerent of Al-Haqq (i.e. Allah) in all the universe, wherever > > Allah > > is a God, the pole is his vicegerent in the sense that he (i.e. the >pole) > > carries out all the decrees that Allah might have. So, nothing will >reach > > the creation except through the pole." > > In Pages 102-103 Keller says: > > "The conduct of the disciple towards the sheikh and brethren consists in > > five things: following what the sheikh says, even if something else >seems > > better; avoiding what he forbids, even if it means one's death; >upholding > > the sheikh's honor be he absent or present, alive or dead; fulfilling >the > > sheikh's rights to the degree possible, without remissness; and >suspending > > one's intellect, knowledge, and leadership, except as the sheikh > > confirms." > > Keller on Singing and Dancing > > Nuh Ha Mim Keller mentions in his Tariqa Notes that sacred dance is one >of > > the rituals of the Shadhili order. According to him, the sacred dance is >a > > type of dancing performed by Sufis in unison while they make Dhikr > > (remembrance of Allah). To show the permissibility of it, Keller argues > > that sacred dancing has 3 components: > > 1. Dhikr > > 2. The dancing itself > > 3. Performing it in congregation > > Since each of the above components is permissible if not recommended in > > its > > own, therefore –Keller concludes- combining them yields a permissible >act > > of > > worship. > > Keller also promotes and teaches the same misguided Sufi concepts that >we > > revealed in Part I. He writes in his book "A review of Tariqa Notes", > > page > > 30: > > "Nothing is, beside Allah and His Attributes and His actions and His > > rulings. This is what is meant by the Sufi term wahdat al-wujud or > > (oneness > > of being)". > > Keller mentions the Sufi concept of oneness of being (Wahdat al-wujud). > > This concept is explained by a Toronto Sufi group on their website >as[3]: > > Here are two commentaries from the translator (Wahid Baksh Rabbani) of >The > > Kashful Mahjub (Unveiling the veiled) by Syed Ali bin Uthman al-Hujweri > > about Wahdat al-Wujud: > > Page 260 ... "In a nutshell, oneness of Being (Wahdat-al-Wujud) in Islam > > means that nothing in this world can contain God, but God contains > > everything. Or nothing is God, but nothing is separate from God. That is > > why > > the concept of hulul and ittihad (incarnation) are against the tenets of > > Islam. Hulul and ittihad presuppose multiplicity of being; whereas Islam > > proclaims oneness of Being ... that is Divine Being. This concept of God > > does not violate the principles of Shari'ah in any way. What happens in > > the > > state of fana-fi-Allah is that man does not become God, but he is lost >in > > God's Being. Like an iceberg which when frozen, assumes a separate > > existence, and becomes one with the sea when it melts. Similarly, when >the > > seeker is in the state of fana, he is one with God and when in baqa, he > > assumes the shape of an iceberg, cold, hard, and limited." > > Page 266 ... "Again Shibli says, 'tauhid veils the Unitarian from seeing > > the > > beauty of His oneness.' This is because tauhid is the act of man, and >the > > act of man cannot be the means (illat) of seeing God and what cannot be > > the > > means of seeing God, is necessarily a veil. Man, with all his attributes > > is > > something other than God because if his attributes (sifat) are regarded >as > > Divine Attributes, then man who is the possessor of these attributes > > becomes > > Divine, and then the Unitarian (muwahhid), Unity (tauhid) and the One > > (wahid) become interdependent. And this is precisely the Christian >notion > > of > > Trinity. The attribute which veils a man from reaching tauhid (oneness) >is > > a > > veil. And one who is veiled is not a Unitarian (muwahhid), for other >than > > God in the universe is non-existent." > > Comments: So although the concept of Wahdat al-Wujud rejects that unity > > with > > God means that one becomes God (i.e. the Christian Trinity), it still > > affirms that man is with God physically as nothing exists except God. > > Keller himself confirms this belief of becoming one with God: > > page 35 … Keller says "…After this, a person doesn't need figurative > > interpretations, because the journey is no longer to Allah, but rather >in > > Allah, meaning in the knowledge of him, directly and >experientially.""[2] > > Of course this is the concept that was invented by Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi. > > Keller on Ibn Arabi: > > On page 42 Keller quotes Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi as saying "…a quality >which, > > as > > sheikh Muhyiddin (Ibn Arabi) notes…" > > Comments: Regardless of Ibn Arabi's statement, the simple fact is that > > Keller is quoting a man who was declared a kafir by countless > > well-reputable > > Muslim scholars. Below are some such fatwas of Muslim scholars on Ibn > > Arabi: > > 1. Al'izz Ibn Abdulsalam (d 660 H): He said about Ibn Arabi "An >evil > > liar > > sheikh who claims that this world is eternal (i.e. was not created by > > Allah) > > and embraces promiscuity." > > 2. Ibn Taymiya (d 728 H): He extensively discussed the arguments of > > ibn > > Arabi and refuted them and called him a heretic. > > 3. Ibn Katheer (d 774 H): Imam ibn Katheer in his book of Islamic > > history- > > Al-bidaya Wal Nihaya comments on ibn Arabi "He has a book named beads of > > wisdom in which there are many things that are apparently clear kufr." > > 4. Adh-Dhahabi (d 748 H) said: "If Ibn Arabi's book (Beads of >wisdom) > > does > > not contain clear Kufr, then there is no Kufr in the world." > > 5. 'Ala' al-Di Al-Bukhari Al-Hanafi declared that: "The one who >does > > not > > consider Ibn Arabi a kaafir (non-Muslim), then he himself is a kaafir!" > > In fact, Keller not only quotes Ibn Arabi, but he also defends > > him. Keller, > > in his translation of Ahmad ibn Naqib al-Misri's "Umdat al-salik" >writes: > > Muhyiddin ibn Arabi is Muhammad ibn 'Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Arabi, Abu >Bakr > > Muhyi al-Din al-Hatimi al-Ta'i, The Greatest Sheikh (al-Shaykh >al-Akbar), > > born in Murcia (in present-day Spain) in 560/1165. A "mujtahid" Imam in > > Sacred Law, Sufism, Qur'anic exegesis, hadith, and other Islamic >sciences, > > and widely regarded as a friend (wali) of Allah Most High, he was the > > foremost representative of the Sufi school of the "oneness of being" > > (wahdat > > al-wujud), as well as a Muslim of strict literal observance of the > > prescriptions of the Quran and sunna. > > Ibn Arabi's creed is very clear to those who read his works. He >advocates > > the concept of Hulool, which is a stepping-stone to the concept of >Oneness > > of Being or "Wahdat al-Wujud". In simple terms, Oneness of Being means > > that > > none exists but Allah, so everything one sees is Allah or a >manifestation > > of > > Allah and this is the Tawhid (oneness or unity) according to some >extreme > > Sufis. > > The purpose of the following examples is to show beyond the shadow of a > > doubt what the creed of Ibn Arabi is: > > 1. Ibn Arabi declares the worshipers of the Golden Calf were not > > committing > > shirk. Found under section: "The Seal of the Wisdom of the Imam in the > > Word > > of Harun (Aaron)"[4] > > 2. Ibn Arabi criticizes Noah as a messenger. Found under section: > > "The Seal > > of the Wisdom of the Breath of Divine Inspiration in the Word of Nuh > > (Noah)"[5] > > 3. Ibn Arabi declares the Pharaoh died a believer (Muslim). Found > > under > > section: "The Seal of the Wisdom of Sublimity in the Word of Musa > > (Moses)"[6] > > Ibn Arabi also says in his book "Fusus al-Kikam"[7]: > > 1. "He is the observer in the observer, and the observed in the > > observed. > > None sees Him, save Himself. None perceives Him, save Himself. By >Himself > > he > > sees Himself, and by Himself he knows Himself. His Veil is part of his > > Oneness; nothing veils other than he. . . His Prophet is he, and his > > sending > > is He, and His word is He. > > 2. He who knows himself understands that his existence is not his >own > > existence, but his existence is the existence of God." > > Yet with all these proofs, Keller still calls Ibn Arabi "the Greatest > > Shaykh"! Ibn Taymiya writes in his book al-Uboodiya about Ibn Arabi and > > those who adopt his beliefs: > > The most horrifying Kufr > > Therefore, anyone who witnesses the universal truth without the >religious > > truth will hold equal all these types of people whom Allah (SWT) has >made > > an > > ultimate distinction between. This reconciliation will eventually >conduce > > him to even reconcile between Allah (AWJ) and the idols, as Allah (SWT) > > said > > about this type of people. > > By Allah, we were truly in a manifest error. When we held you (false > > deities) as equals (in Al-'Ibaadah) with the Lord of the Worlds. > > [Ash-Shu'araa:97-98] > > They eventually reach the point where they reconcile between Allah (AWJ) > > and > > every existing being. And they considered all that which He (AWJ) >deserves > > of 'Ibaadah and obedience as being due to every existing created thing > > since > > they made His (AWJ) existence the same as the existence of the created > > things. This is of the most horrifying Kufr and atheism towards the Lord > > of > > all the beings. They reach by their Kufr the point where they do not >bear > > witness that they are 'Ibaad-u-Allah, neither by the meaning of the > > subdued > > ones nor by the meaning of the worshiping ones. They witness that they > > themselves are the Truth as has been declared by their false idols, e.g. > > Ibn > > Arabi who wrote "Al-Fousous," and other slandering atheists such as Ibn > > Sab'een and his like. They even witness that they are simultaneously the > > worshipers and the ones being worshiped. > > This, indeed, is not the witnessing of the truth, neither the universal > > one > > nor the religious one, but it is rather a going astray and a blindness > > from > > witnessing the universal truth, for they made the existence of the >Creator > > the same as that of the created. They made every good and bad quality as > > an > > attribute to both the Creator and the created, for they consider the > > existence of the former as being the same as the existence of the >latter. > > But the believers in Allah (SWT) and His Messengers, both commoner and > > elite, are the people of the Quran, as the Prophet PBUH said, "Verily, > > Allah > > has (favorite) people amongst mankind." He was asked, "Who are they? O > > Messenger of Allah." He replied, "The people of Al Quran, they are >people > > of > > Allah and His elite." > > The Kufr of those who believe in the incarnation > > These people know that Allah (SWT) is the Lord, the Owner, and the >Creator > > of everything. And that the Creator is different from the created being. > > He > > (SWT) is neither incarnated in the being nor combined with him, nor is >His > > (SWT) existence the same as the being's existence. Indeed, the >Christians > > were not declared by Allah (SWT) as Kuffar (unbelievers) except for that > > they believed in the incarnation and combination of Allah (SWT) with > > Al-Maseeh (Jesus). So how about those who made this true about every > > creature? Yet, they know fully well that Allah (SWT) ordered obedience >to > > Him (AWJ) and obedience to His Messengers, and that Allah (SWT) does not > > like corruption nor approves Al-Kufr for His 'Ibaad. And all the >creation > > ought to worship Him (SWT) so that they obey His commands, and ask for >His > > aid to fulfill that; as He (AWJ) said in the Opening of the Scripture: >It > > is > > You we worship and it is You we ask for help. [Al-Faatihah:5] > > The above examples are just a brief illustration of the misguidance of >Nuh > > Ha Mim Keller. Muslims, especially young ones, have to know the truth > > about > > such people so they're not deceived by their appearances or words. Even > > the > > name that Keller adopted (Ha Mim) shows his commitment to bida'a. >Keller > > explains Ha Mim as: "Ha Mim Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim, Ha Mim. The matter >be > > done, the victory come, against us they shall not be helped". > > > > INVOCATIONS OF SHAADHILI ORDER BY NUH HA MIM KELLER > > > > >HTTP://WWW.ALLAAHUAKBAR.NET/INDIVIDUAL_CALLERS/NUH_HA_MIM/INVOCATIONS_OF_SHAADHILI_ORDER.HTM > > > > A REVIEW OF 'TAREEQA NOTES' A BOOK BY NUH HA MIM KELLER > > > > >HTTP://WWW.ALLAAHUAKBAR.NET/INDIVIDUAL_CALLERS/NUH_HA_MIM/A_REVIEW_OF_TAREEQA_NOTES_OF_NUH_HA_MIM.HTM > > > > > > > > >Dear Ginny et all, > > >Ginny Thanks for your contribution on the subject.I have been away from > > my > > >computer since last Thursday.I just saw the posting forwarded by >Brother > > >Salieu offering a different view on sufism,Which is most welcome.Which >I > > >may > > >say is the Wahhabi interpretation or attitude towards >Tasawwuf(sufism).I > > >am > > >not at all surprised.Wahhabis are diametrically opposed to the practice > > and > > >will go to any length to rubbish the writings of sufi writers and > > >practitioners.However,I will now present the views of Scholars so that > > >people can judge for themselves.At this point,I must declare an > > >interest.Iam a sunni muslim and a sufi practitioner. > > > *How would you respond to the Claim that Sufism is bid'a?* > > >*(c)Nuh Ha Mim Keller 1995* > > > > > > > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the >Gambia-L > > Web interface > > at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > > > > To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: > > http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l > > To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: > > [log in to unmask] > > ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ > > > >¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ >To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L >Web interface >at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html > >To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: >http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l >To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: >[log in to unmask] >¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ To unsubscribe/subscribe or view archives of postings, go to the Gambia-L Web interface at: http://listserv.icors.org/archives/gambia-l.html To Search in the Gambia-L archives, go to: http://listserv.icors.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ICORS.EXE?S1=gambia-l To contact the List Management, please send an e-mail to: [log in to unmask] ¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤