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What is your opinion on the saying, "Salafism's Sufism and Sufism's Salafism"?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

The phrase "Sunni Sufism" was not used by well-established scholars and is closer to illusion than reality. Whoever follows the methodology of the Salaf (pious predecessors) finds sufficiency in the Qur'an, Sunnah, and authentic narrations, without needing the methodologies of the Sufis. The Sufis, however, do not accept abandoning their unique paths to return to the methodology of the Salaf. These are two paths that do not meet; the first is adherence to the Qur'an and Sunnah according to the understanding of the Salaf, and the second is innovation and bid'ah. The truth is one and to be followed. Allah Almighty says: "And indeed, this is My straight path, so follow it, and do not follow [other] ways, for they will diverge you from His way." The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, left us on a clear, bright path. The Ummah will split into seventy-three sects, all of them in the Fire except one: "that which I and my companions are upon." The term "Sufism" is a later development, and it initially meant asceticism and piety, but it deviated with the introduction of philosophical thought. Contemporary Sufi orders contain serious deviations, such as extremism in venerating shaykhs and worshipping shrines.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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