35.) Aren't
there fundamental tensions and differences between Shari'ah (Divine Law) and the Sufi
path?
Not
really. Such tensions and differences tend to reside entirely in
the minds and hearts of those who fail to grasp the nature of either the Sufi path or
Shari'ah.
A shaykh
who is well-regarded by many people in so-called ‘orthodox' (whatever that means)
circles has stated words along the following lines. According to this shaykh, the purpose
of tariqah (i.e., the mystical path) is to enable the individual to understand, for the
first time, the true nature of Shari'ah.
Sufi
masters are utterly devoted to the reality of Shari'ah. At the same time, they prefer to
operate in accordance with the spirit of Shari'ah rather than as a function of some
literalist, restricted, narrow and dogmatic understanding of just what Divine Law entails
and what its purpose is.
Sufi
masters encourage, inspire, invite, and entice people to follow Shari'ah. They do so in
the sort of compulsion-free atmosphere which God indicated in the Qur'an should surround
matters of compliance with Shari'ah.
They give
people reasons, motivations and aspirations for seeking to submit themselves to Divinity.
They don't try to coerce people into adherence to Divine Law through threats and warnings
of dire consequences for those who fail to meet the expectations and demands of
theologians.
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