Western Approved Sufism

Zafar Bangash

Dhu al-Qa'dah 03, 1446 2025-05-01

Opinion

by Zafar Bangash (Opinion, Crescent International Vol. 55, No. 3, Dhu al-Qa'dah, 1446)

Given the intellectual decline in the Muslim world, Muslims have adopted practices that are contrary to the teachings of Islam. Who is unaware of the destructive role played by al-Qaeda, the takfiris and ISIS over the last 30 to 40 years? Propped up by the west, primarily the US, they have served as a cover for western intervention in Muslim societies. At the same time, their barbaric parctices have distorted the image of Islam in order to repel Muslims from even contemplating establishing an Islamic State in their societies.

There is another group of people that have emerged among Muslims in the west. They call themselves Sufis. At the outset, it must be clarified that this is not a criticism of Sufism. Tasawwuf is an important and noble aspect of Islam. Muslims who follow the path of tasawwuf detach themselves from materialism in order to get closer to Allah. Unlike the materialistic world, Islam encourages purification through giving, hence the concepts of sadaqah and zakat.

The word “sufi” is derived from the Arabic root word “suf”, meaning wool. People wore woolen (coarse) clothes to reflect simplicity and detachment from materialism. Its primary emphasis is on tazkiya-e nafs (purification of the soul). Only then can a person achieve inner peace and get closer to Allah, the ultimate objective in this temporary abode.

Tasawwuf traces its links to the Prophet (pbuh) through Imam Ali or even further back through Abu Bakr as-Siddique. Both were close and trusted companions of the noble Messenger (pbuh).

Throughout history, tasawwuf has played an important role in motivating Muslims to struggle against injustices that are rampant in the world. Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodio in West Africa (d.1817) and Imam Shamil (d.1871) in Daghestan stand out as shining examples. Both launched jihad movements. Shaykh Uthman dan Fodio established the Sokoto Khilafat while Imam Shamil fought against Russian colonialism in the Caucasus.

The emergence of Sufism in the west is an altogether different phenomenon. Barring a few exceptions, the western-approved and promoted Sufism has little to do with the purification of the soul or getting closer to Allah. This brand is promoted to serve western imperial interests.

In the Muslim world, the west promotes takfiris to use their presence as a pretext for war against Muslim countries. In the west, peaceful Muslims are accused of being terrorists or supporters of terrorism and driven into sufism to prove their “peaceful” nature.

Muslims have never been violent. Islam expressly prohibits it. It tells Muslims to defend themselves but never initiate hostility (Surah al Baqarah, ayat 190). The west even accuses Muslims of being supporters of terrorism when they speak out against the genocide in Gaza and Palestine, for instance. It is not difficult to surmise that this campaign is spearheaded by the zionists to silence any criticism of Israel’s barbaric practices of killing innocent people.

Western intelligence agents have penetrated many Sufi groups in the west and have caused immense damage and confusion. Some even declared themselves shaykhs and using the practice of the murids (disciples) to obey their shaykh ,without question, destroyed the lives of hundreds of innocent Muslims.

The phenomenon of Sufism in the west gained even greater momentum after 911. Every Muslim living in the west—North America or Europe—became a suspect. Muslims were considered guilty until proven innocent.

There was in fact a curious phenomenon that emerged among some Muslims that were hardcore Wahhabis. Trained in Saudi Arabia and serving their agenda of initiating sectarian conflict, 911 forced them to switch to Sufism. From being hardcore Wahhabis, they became Sufis overnight. Now that was some transformation.

Western regimes and their intelligence agencies were not willing to accept such transformation. They went after every Muslim. Thousands were rounded up; many thrown in jail, especially in the US and forced to prove their innocence. Being Muslim meant you are a suspect.

Allah commands the Muslims to struggle and speak out against injustice. The myriad Sufi groups have been forced by western regimes to indulge in sessions of dhikr, keeping their heads down and their mouths shut. How much self-purification is needed to be able to speak out against the horrors that are being inflicted upon innocent people worldwide? Is there any limit beyond which they may be stirred to speak out?

It is interesting to note that many non-Muslims have spoken out against zionist war crimes. We have yet to see any Sufi groups take a stand. They are too busy twirling, shaking and swinging!

So, while tasawwuf is a noble approach to seek spiritual upliftment, the modern-day western approved Sufis are not serving the cause of Islam. They are serving the agenda of the west and are led into such useless activities as inter-faith dialogue as if Muslims have ever promoted hatred against other faiths. They are forced to sit with those who are guilty of supporting the genocide of Muslims.

It is Islam and Muslims that have been targeted by Christian and Jewish extremists. Mosques and Islamic Centers are subjected to arson attacks and Muslims murdered while performing Salat (prayer).

The western-approved Sufis would say, let us continue with our sessions of dhikr and perhaps we may be spared the wrath of the demonic powers!