31.) Does
one have to be a Muslim in order to be a Sufi?
Although
the fashion among some would-be Sufi groups is to claim that one does not have to be
Muslim in order to be a Sufi, in point of fact, the claim of such groups is not warranted.
Indeed, if one traces the historical origins of the Sufi mystical tradition, the path
leads nowhere but to the household of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Any other
contention concerning the origins of the Sufi mystical tradition is confronted with a huge
task of trying to hide, deny, evade or ignore substantial historical evidence. Not least
among such evidence is the testimony of all of the great shaykhs of the Sufi path
concerning the inextricable relationship which this path has with the beliefs, values,
principles, practices, and observances of Islam.
While a
mystical or esoteric dimension has been inherent in human beings as long as we have been
in existence, the specific set of teachings, principles, methods, techniques, and
spiritual lineage, and so on, which are embodied by the original nature of the Sufi
spiritual tradition are all rooted in the teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah of
the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Of course, one can use the term ‘Sufi"
in any way one likes, but any usage which cannot be reconciled with the historical
realities out of which this term arose is in error -- at least as far as the proper
application of the term 'Sufi' is concerned, and, perhaps, in other ways as well.
Some
people may derive a certain degree of spiritual benefit from following the teachings of
those systems which label themselves as Sufi in character yet which have divorced
themselves from the practice, teachings and observances of Islam. People may, if God
wishes, derive benefit from such a system because to whatever extent Truth has been
allowed to permeate a given set of teachings, then, the benefits of living in accordance
with the Truth will be available for people to enjoy, irrespective of whatever else may be
problematic about those teachings and practices.
Nonetheless,
in all fairness, the leaders of these alleged Sufi groups really ought to refer to their
system and method as something other than the Sufi path. By continuing to usurp a name to
which they are not entitled due to their negative attitudes concerning Islam and Muslims,
they are attempting to trade, for purposes of illicit gain, on the spiritual integrity
which stands behind the historical origins of this term without paying proper respect, and
giving appropriate homage to, the sentiments and feelings of the shaykhs and saints of the
Sufi path.
This
constitutes a major breach of the adab or spiritual etiquette of the Sufi path.
Consequently, how can a group be prepared to refer to itself as 'Sufi' when it is not even
prepared to observe the spiritual etiquette of that mystical tradition.
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