sufism and hanafi madhab

[belal1]

what is the relationship between sufism and the hanafi madhab? Is it necessary that one must look into sufism in order to follow the hanafi madhab, or is it possible to be a "hanafi" but not practice sufism?

[shajratutooba]

Tasawuff actually deals with the purification of ones inner self such that adhering to the shariah becomes easy and persistent.It is obligatory to engage oneself in this self purification process as only then do we fulfill the criteria of being the true followers of the beloved Prophet (SAAS) . At the time of the Prophets (SAAS) presence amongst the sahaba it was not essentially ascribed a name as the process would start and attain perfection immediately in the company of the Prophet (SAAS) whom one could compare to the brightest sun whose light would immediately burn away all impurities of those desirous of developing their souls but now that we are centuries away from that sun we have to work on this path in such a way that tazkiya or self purification becomes one of the duties which we perform in the background while executing our other obligations. It is just like the fact that none of the sahabis learnt the science of tajweed as we do today-- we learn it so that our recitation of the word of Allah which is a fard becomes perfect. Similarly to attain the degree of focus on Allah swt which the sahaba(RA) had inspite of being engaged in all sorts of activities involving their bodies. minds and hearts
we have to learn this science in presence of an authentic guide. The goal is not tasawuff but the goal is attaining that focus on Allah swt such that all our other aamal attain the status of ihsaan.
No madhab is complete unless one works on this front; yes one can call oneself a hanafi even when he is not engaged in self purification but naming ourselves is not enough-- to be one is different ! May Allah swt fill us with His love and the love for His beloved. Aameen.

[Ali al-Hanafi]

Yes it is possible for one to be a Hanafi and not be a Sufi (and vice-versa). They are complementary rather than substitues as they deal with different aspects of Islam, namely that the former is a school of law (fiqh) and thus deals with the external self whilst the latter deals with the purification of the inner self as faqirah has already detailed above.

[belal1]

jazakallahu khairan,

I read most if not all of the scholars from the subcontinent was infact sufi (the hanafi ones). Considering that I'd probably be reading their text, I was confused as to whether it was possible to learn from them but avoid certain things that are particular to sufis (ex. hadras).

anyway jazakallah for the replies

[Ali al-Hanafi]

The Hanafi Ulema of the Indian Subcontinent are of two types, Deobandi and Barelwi. The Deobandis do not practice Hadra or the other rituals associated with the version of Sufism propogated by Hisham Kabbani others like him. The Barelwis may or may not I don't know but they are more inclined to practices similar in nature.

PS not all Sufis practice Hadra, etc

[belal1]

PS not all Sufis practice Hadra, etc

wow...i did not know that.

jazakallah. I've seen barelvi's on youtube. they definitely look a bit... lol

[shajratutooba]

what u have seen is all ignorant misleading stuff; real tasawuff is something entirely different and pure.

[MujahidAbdullah]

Different Tariqas have different methods, and none of the rightly guided tariqas do anything which goes against Quran and Sunna (such as dancing, or neglecting Sallat, or weirdo stuff).

I also noticed this:

Yes it is possible for one to be a Hanafi and not be a Sufi (and vice-versa).

you can not be Sufi without following one of the four madhabs.

[belal1]

Different Tariqas have different methods, and none of the rightly guided tariqas do anything which goes against Quran and Sunna (such as dancing, or neglecting Sallat, or weirdo stuff).

I also noticed this:

you can not be Sufi without following one of the four madhabs.

what u have seen is all ignorant misleading stuff; real tasawuff is something entirely different and pure.

if that is the case, then alhumdulilah.

[Riyaaz]

Slmz,

In my country (South Africa) a large portion of the Jamaat are engaged in Sufi practices (loud collective zikr, visiting Sheikhs tombs, holding Ratipul Ghadat, holding Meelad un Nabi etc.) This seems to be quite a every day 'normal' practice by Malay Muslims (a part of their tradition ?) and they follow mostly the Tariqas Qadirriya, Riffai, Naqshbandiyya.

There are also Muslims from the Indian Subcontinent, they follow mostly Saabiri Chisti Tariqa.

I personally do not engage in these practices as I do not know the permisibillity of these acts of worship (not always sure if they are engaging in good/bad Bidats.) The reason I mention this is I have been to a Ratipul Ghadat and they were rythmically beating drums whilst performing certain dangerous looking acts with traditional daggers and swords....?

I found it quite interesting but at the same time I read (not sure where) that the use of musical instruments like the drum is Haraam if not used for the sole purpose to announce a Nikah.

Maybe someone more learned than me can advise on the permissabillity of these acts.

But Allah (swt) knows best.....

Wslm,

Bro Riyaaz