What is Sufism in Islam?

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. We thank Allah for the blessing of Islam and humbly ask Him to raise the rank of Prophet Muhammad, his kind Al and Companions, and to protect his nation from that which he fears for it. May Allah grant us the sincere intentions and the proper comprehension.

Introduction
Sufism is very much a part of the Religion of Islam. Indeed, the leader of all the Sufis was Prophet Muhammad, who was sent by Allah to teach the people the matters which, if performed and practiced in the proper way, would lead to their success in this life and in the Hereafter. Unfortunately, many things which are in fact contradictory to the teachings of the Prophet are today labeled Sufism. There are some, who under the guise of being Sufis, spread falsehood and misguidance and dare to label it Sufism. On the other hand, there are groups, like the Wahhabis and those who follow them, who categorically deny Sufism and claim it is not even a part of the Religion.

It is our intention to shed light on the methodology of the true Sufis and encourage others to follow their path while exposing those fakes, the “Sufi-claimers,” and warning against their misguidance. We have divided our topic into two parts: First, to explain Sufism and give examples of the genuine Sufis in our history. Second, to expose those “Sufi-claimers” by presenting some of their misguidance and to warn against it. Our intention is in following the saying of Allah in Surat Al ^Imran, 110:
(كُنتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنكَرِ وَتُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللهِ)
which means: [You are the best nation brought to the people, ordering the lawful, forbidding the unlawful, and believing in Allah.]

Allah said in Surat al-Ahzab, 70-71:
(يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءامَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلاً سَدِيدًا {70} يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَن يُطِعْ اللهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا {71} إِنَّا عَرَضْنَا الأَمَانَةَ عَلَى السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضِ وَالْجِبَالِ فَأَبَيْنَ أَن يَحْمِلْنَهَا وَأَشْفَقْنَ مِنْهَا وَحَمَلَهَا الإِنسَانُ إِنَّهُ كَانَ ظَلُومًا جَهُولاً {72} لِيُعَذِّبَ اللهُ الْمُنَافِقِينَ وَالْمُنَافِقَاتِ وَالْمُشْرِكِينَ وَالْمُشْرِكَاتِ وَيَتُوبَ اللهُ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ وَكَانَ اللهُ غَفُورًا رَّحِيمًا {73}.

These verses mean: [ O you who believe, be God-fearing and utter the statements which comply with the Religion so that Allah may guide you to perform the good deeds and forgive your sins. The one who obeys Allah and His Messenger shall win greatly. ]

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