Download Sufism: What is it all about? by Tijani Adekilekun

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SUFISM: WHAT IS IT ALL ABOUT
Dr. Tijani Adekilekun
We have to give thanks to the Almighty Allah who has led us all to the path of Islam. He the
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Qur’an that, no one could has been able to discover this path of
virtue except by the mercy of Almighty Allah. For this we are very grateful. If it is in terms of
wisdom, wealth, riches, there were one thousand and one who are much wiser, richer and older
than us yet they can not discover this path of Islam.
Islam is a religion that is very simple and straight forward yet it is the most misunderstood
religion. It is misunderstood not only by those people who are looking at it from far away, even by
some of its practitioners and adherents. Unfortunately, some overzealous preachers too
misunderstood it and this compounds the problem. More interestingly, some enemies of Islam,
who know the potentiality of the religion, admit that it is capable of leading humanity out of
darkness into light. Those people whose businesses rise in darkness will never want to allow such
religion to have its way. This set of people wrote series of blackmail and blasphemy against Islam,
that one has further compounded this religion being grossly misunderstood by people. And one
pathetic aspect of it is that Sufism, which is the inner dimension of Islam, is the most
misunderstood aspect of Islam because people have tried to liken it to systems known to them.
Some say it is just like the Ogboni cult of Yoruba land. Some say it is a copy card of the doctrine
of the Greek and other.
Let me not bother you too much by this, I have to thank the organizers of this programme for
giving me the opportunity to address this gathering. I would have loved to be one of the spectators.
The moderator called me a Mallam but I am just a member of a “Tareeqat”, (Sufis School of
Thought) a beginner for that matter. Since I am a “Murid” (Someone who has set his feet on the
part.), my intention is to look at Sufism as an attempt by some people to return to the pure Islam.
Based on my level, I will tell a lot of story. Story of the Prophet, story of the followers (Sahabah),
the followers of the followers (Tabiu-tabieen) and what happened later when there was deviation
from God and from the truth and people focused their attention on worldly affairs. That was the
period of stagnation in the history of Islam, the period that can be said to be one of the darkest
ages in the history of Islam. I will discuss about some people who attempted to return to pristine
Islam. I will mention some of the names they were called and how they came to be known as
Sufis.
I will like to start by commenting on the holy prophet Muhammad (SAW). The glorious Qur’an
described him as having the most beautiful pattern of conduct to be emulated by all that have
fervent believe whose hope is in God and the final day and for all those who engage themselves in
the remembrance of God.
Allah says in Qur’an 33 Verse 21
“Indeed in the Messenger of Allah (Muhammad) you have
a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the meeting)
with Allah and the last day, and remember Allah much.”
Almighty Allah has made the Muslim Ummah (Community of faithful believers) as the Ummah
that is justly balance, because their religion avoids all form of extravagance. Islam is simply a
religion that is easy to put to practice. The Prophet of Islam Muhammad (S.A.W) was to serve as a
witness for his followers; he was to guide them to all that is good, not only by word of mouth, but
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also by action. His followers, in turn, are to serve as witnesses for all other people no matter the
difference in time and clan. They are to lead all the people in the world to everything that is virtue.
They are to guide humanity to all that is good. They are to emulate their leader, Muhammad, not
by word of mouth alone, but by their action. It is very important that we know that no one can
practice Islam the way he wants it without following the patterns of the prophet. Almighty Allah
has blessed us that the closest companions of the Prophet practiced the religion the way they saw
the Noble Prophet doing it. We Muslims of nowadays are to emulate these Sahabahs
(Companions). Anything we do that does not correspond with the practice of the Sahabas
(Companions) may not be the correct Islam. The Noble Qur’an has described Prophet Muhammad
(SAW) as God’s mercy personified. No more question of race or colour. There is no more seal of
Abraham or seal of David. We are all human being. The message of Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
is meant for all and sundry. The principle of universal brotherhood applies to all. Prophet
Muhammad has also been described in the Glorious Qur’an as the real Light. He has been sent
with a religion, which hopes to drive away humanity from darkness to light. He has come with a
book that is conspicuous indeed. With this book, God guides all those who seek His good pleasure
to way of peace and safety. With this book God leads humanity from darkness to light. He guides
them to a straight path that is not crooked. Certainly Muhammad was and still remains the Mercy
of Allah to all His creatures. Allah says in the Qur’an 9: 128-129
“Verily, there has come unto you a Messenger (Muhammad S.A.W.)
from among yourselves. It grieves him that you should receive any
injury or difficulty. He is anxious over you, for the believers full of
pity, kind and merciful. But if they turn away, say (oh Muhammad)
“Allah is sufficient for me. None has the right to be worshipped but He.
In Him I put my trust and He is the Lord of the Mighty Throne.”
The Almighty Allah speaks very highly of the prophet Muhammad (S.A.W). The man a Muslim
should emulate is the Prophet Muhammad. And for those who can not meet him should emulate
his companions. Indeed Allah speaks very highly of the Prophet and his faithful companions who
stood firmly by him even in the storm of opposition, persecution and oppression. Allah says in
Qur’an 48:29
“Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. And those who are with him are
severe against disbelievers, and merciful among themselves. You see them
bowing and falling down prostrate (in prayer), seeking bounty from Allah
and (His) good pleasure. The mark of them is on their faces (foreheads)
from the traces of prostration (during prayers). This is their description in
the Taurat. And their description in the Injeel (Gospel) is like a sown seed
which sends forth and it stands straight on its stem, delighting the sowers,
that He may enrage the disbelievers with them. Allah has promised those
among them who believe and do righteous good deeds forgiveness
and a mighty reward.”
The earliest companions of the prophet of Islam who has been described as the vanguard of faith
and as those who in the first rank among the true believers and those who suffered for the cause of
Islam. The first historical examples are the Muhajirun (Migrants) and the Ansar (Helpers). Allah
says about them in Q9: 100
“ And the foremost to embrace Islam of the Muhajirun
(those who migrated from Makkah to Al-Madinah)
and the Ansar (the citizen of Al-Madinah who helped
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and gave aid to the Muhajirun) and also those who
followed them exactly (in faith). Allah is well- pleased
with them as they are well-pleased with Him. He has
prepared gardens under which rivers flow (paradise),
to dwell therein forever. That is the supreme success.
I have tried to quote this verse where Allah speaks highly of the companions of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) because we cannot perfectly emulate Muhammad. We have excuse that he is a
man to whom God has revealed Himself but we can emulate these companions who were human
like us. Mentioned first are the Muhajirun, (Migrants) who forsook their houses in Makkah. Many
of them left with empty hand having sneaked out of the city of Makkah out of fear of the enemies
of Islam and the Noble prophet was among the last to leave the post of danger. Mentioned second
were the Ansar (helpers) who provided the Muhajirun (Migrants) with all they needed to facilitate
a comfortable stay in their new homes. The reward is also extended to all those who followed them
in good deeds. Not only the early heroes and ordinary men and women who had been companions
of the Prophet or those who had seen him but, also men and women of all ages who loved a noble
life. Allah is well pleased with all of them, as they themselves are well pleased with Him. This is
to buttress the point that we cannot aspire to become prophet. It is not possible, as the Almighty
Allah has said in the Noble Qur’an that Muhammad (SAW) is the seal of Prophet hood. But we
can reach the higher ranks, which the companions reached. That is the point we are making. This
is also buttressed by the following verses where God discusses those who should benefit from the
spoil of war. Q59: 8-10
“(And there is also a share in this booty) for the poor emigrants,
who were expelled from their homes and their property,
seeking bounties from Allah and to please Him, and helping
Allah and His Messenger. Such are indeed the truthful.
And those who before them had homes (In Madinah) and had
adopted the faith, love those who emigrate to them, and have
no jealousy in their breasts for that which they have been
given, and give them preference over themselves even
though they were in need of that. And whosoever is saved
from his own covetousness, such are they who will be
the successful.
And those who came after them say: “Our Lord! Forgive us,
and our brethren who have preceded us in faith, and put not
in our heaths any hatred against those who have believed.
Our Lord! You are indeed full of kindness, Most Merciful.”
That is to say whatever is due to the early companions can as well be given to those who come
much more later after them.
Titles adopted by the early Muslims
From the context of the verses quoted above, it can be gathered that the tittles “Muhajirun” and the
“Ansar” were given to the early Muslims.
Al-Muhajirun (Migrants): are those who migrated from Makkah to Madinah for protection of their
lives and their faith.
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Al-Ansar (Helpers): are those who accommodated the Migrants with all they had for the
propagation of Islam. Those were the two tittles. Nobody was known, as Sheik or Al-Hajj One is
either a Muhajir (Migrant) or Ansar (helper).
After the death of the noble Prophet in the year 632 CE, Sahabbah (Companion) was the tittle
adopted by the people of that age. They dropped the tittle of Muhajir (Migrant) and Ansar
(Helper). Sahabbah (Companion) was commonly used by those who came from the city of
Makkah as refugee to the city of Madinah and for those who assisted them in Madinah. Those who
joined them later and those who had the rare opportunity of seeing the Prophet even once in their
life also adopted this title. These people need no other title for the simple fact that companionship
of the Noble Prophet was unanimously regarded as the highest.
Among the Sahabah, (companions) there was, however, a particular group of scholars who
dedicated the whole of their life to the study of teaching of Islam. They were foremost in applying
these teaching to their practical life. These companions were generally poor because they had
nothing doing other than staying in the mosque reading the noble Qur’an, studying the Hadith
(record of actions and sayings of the Prophet) ruminating and reflecting on this two things and
doing some other aspects of Ibadah (Act of worship). They were all companions, but they belong
to different grades. This Particular group of people was always the first to enter the mosque before
any prayer and they were always the lasts to depart. They were fond of asking questions from the
prophet and inquiring from him for more detail on matters that appeared not clear to them. They
paid much attention to matter of faith as they regarded this as the object of their life. Matter
regarded by others as trivial were given the same attention with those that are regarded as
important by this other people. They applied all these to their life. They decided to turn their back
totally against this world, as they were interested only in the hereafter. We are trying to say that
among the Sahabah,(Companion), there was a particular group that decided out of their own
premonition to dedicate wholly their life to God. They were not interested in governance.
Realizing the importance of this group, Prophet Muhammad created time for them and he used to
grant them audience though majority of them were very poor and were needy. He use to have
some very interesting sessions with them at the time when their other colleagues have left the
mosque for their farms and other places of work. The prophet and this special group of his
followers used to have some very stimulating discussions while sitting on a rail platform inside the
Prophet’s mosque, they were therefore referred to as Ashab Sufah (People of the bench). This
platform on which these people use to sit was known as Sufah. Most of them were very poor. This
people of the bench took of the good things of this world only so much that will be enough for
them to cover their nakedness and alley hunger. They lived all their life as if they have left this
world, departed from their home and they fled from their companions although they were still
living. This means by their attitude to life, these people were like dead ones. Outwardly they are
still living but in real sense of it they are dead. To them gold and mud are of the same value.
This set of the Prophet’s companions was so poor and wretched in material term, that the early
Makkan converts who were also Sahabah (Companions) requested the prophet to keep them off
and to detach himself from them. This was because some of the rich and influential member of
Quraish thought that it beneath their dignity to listen to the preaching and teachings of Prophet
Muhammad along with these people.
The Almighty Allah warned the prophet seriously not to send away these disciples. This was
because this poor disciples were the sincere seekers after Allah (S.W.T). From worldly point of
view, they had nothing to gain from the Prophet materially because he was himself poor and the
prophet had nothing to gain from them as they have no influence. But that was no reason for
turning them away, indeed their true sincerity entitled them to precedence over worldly men in the
kingdom of God
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There are passages of Qur’an that talk about these people especially Q 6 v 52-53.
“And turn not away from those who invoke their Lord,
morning and afternoon seeking His Face. You are
accountable for them in nothing, and they are
accountable for you in nothing, that you may
turn them away, and thus become of the unjust.
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It is for this reason that Allah commanded the prophet to keep the company of this people. The
fact was that Prophet Muhammad needed these wealthy people at that particular time because they
have to provide him with the means when he wants to go to wars. These other people were
helplessly hopeless and hopelessly helpless. They cannot make any contribution they would rather
take the little he was given and the prophet was so kind and generous not to give them. The noble
Prophet was commanded to be patient with them in Q 18: 28.
“And keep yourself patiently with those who call on
their Lord morning and afternoon, seeking His Face;
and let not your eyes overlook them, desiring the pomp
and glitter of the life of the world; and obey not him
whose hearth We have made heedless of our remembrance,
and who follow his own lusts, and whose affair has been lost”
There were two kinds of followers. The first one of them was genuinely interested in Allah while
the other was interested in fame and political post.
We can always remember the verses of Qur’an that talk about the blind man about whom Allah
reproached the Noble Prophet in Q80: 1-3.
(The Prophet) frowned and turned away.
Because there came to him the blind man.
And how can you know that he might become pure..”
Allah rebuked the prophet for turning away his face from him in order to attend to eminent
member of the society.
Consequent upon their commitment to the cause of God, their sincerity and truth in seeking the
pleasure of Allah, though they were poor, needy and lonely, they made most significant and most
outstanding contribution to the cause of Islam. They sow the seeds of high intellectual that
facilitated the preservation of the true teachings of Islam. They sow the seeds of patriotism, which
made it possible for them to lay their lives for Islam. They and their students protected Islam
against the intellectual attack of the Roman and the Persian and other world civilization, which
would have put a stop to the group renascent of Islam. At a time, when we needed to engage in
brilliant argument about religion; these are the people who defended Islam.
I want to talk briefly about the students of the Sahabbah (Companions). Those who missed the real
opportunity of seen the prophet but they met with the Sahabah (Companions). These people were
given the tittle: (Tabiuun) the followers. They were the first generation after the prophet. The
second generation after the prophet was given the tittle: Tabiaut- taabin “followers of the
followers”. They missed the opportunity of meeting the Prophet and his Companions. But they
studied from the followers of the companions, they contributed immensely to the cause of Islam
and to spread the message to the then new world.
The Sahabah (Companions) who stood firmly by the side of the prophet when things were very
difficult deserves our respect and prayer. Allah says in Q 57 v 10.
“ …Those of you who spent and fought in the Cause of Allah
before the victory, shall receive higher ranks of honor than the
others who spent and fought thereafter. Yet Allah has promised you
all a good reward, and Allah is aware of all your actions.”
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From the context of the Qur’anic verse quoted above it can be gathered that the Sahabah
(Companions) were of varying grades. Some of them made more outstanding contribution to the
cause of Islam. This is not strange as Almighty Allah says in Q 6 v 165.
“ He is the One Who has made you the inheritors of the earth
and raised some of you in ranks over others so that He may
test you in what He has given you. Surely your Rabb is
swift in retribution; yet He is also very Forgiving, Merciful."
Some of these Sahabah had the opportunity of staying longer with the Noble Prophet than others.
Some of them had the opportunity of serving him, speaking with him, studying him at a very close
range and asking him questions about the doctrines of Islam. Abu-Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Aliyy
were among the first few earliest companions who remained firm and steadfast throughout the
period of hardship. They and their other colleagues made sure that the tree of Islam, being planted
by the Prophet, did not die after the death of the Prophet. They followed his teachings without
deviation. They succeeded in leading all their lives strictly in accordance with the teaching of the
prophet. They joined him in all the battles fought with the unbelievers in defense of Islam. They
were ever prepared to lay down their very lives so that the cause of Islam could prosper. When
they returned from one of the fiercest battle, the Prophet told them that they have just returned
from the smallest of the war. We now have to prepare for the war of wars. They were surprised to
hear that, which other war could have been fiercer than the one we have just returned during which
we lost some of our men. The prophet told them that it is the war against self. War against canal
desires.
The earliest group of companions joined the prophet in fighting this war which he described as
mother of the wars. They wage war against canal desires. They succeeded in turning their hearts
away from all trivialities of this world and they elevated their desires towards God. The good
things of life such as wealth, position, women, children and others that make people loose their
level headedness meant nothing to this people. The people of Makkah attempted to lure the
prophet through his uncle with wealth, women and post. The Makkan chiefs thought that their
offers were so captivating that the prophet would have no choice other than to jump at them. The
response of the prophet was that he would continue to spread his teachings until he succeed or die
in the cause. With the spirit of absolute commitment to Islam, the prophet was able to succeed. His
companions too learnt this lesson from him. They ruled with justice to the extent that they were
loved and respected even by their enemies.
An Ambassador of the Roman Empire once entered Medinah at the time when Umar was the
khalif. He inquired from a passer by about the way to the palace. The Roman Ambassador was
made to know that there was nothing of such. The Roman Ambassador asked for their king. He
was also made to realize that they did not have a king but a leader who was one of them. The
ambassador was hoping to see a big monarch in company of a large entourage. He was surprised to
meet Umar lying under a tree. The man remarked: “You are just and you have rest of mind.”
Umar bn Abdu Azeez a follower of the Companions (Companions) was another remarkable
personality. Whenever he was holding meeting over state affairs he would use the state lantern. He
would quickly put it off after the meeting and put on his own personal lantern for personal
discussion. His wife was once able to save little money through which she cooked a delicious meal
for Umar bn Abdul-Azeez, the then leader of the faithful. In his reaction to that, Umar slashed his
personal allowance saying that if his wife could safe some money from his allowance, then he has
been overpaid from the state treasury. These are the attitudes of the people who studied directly
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under the Noble Prophet Muhammad. This was the situation during the first and second
generations after the prophet (S. A. W). This was the spirit they used to conquer the whole world.
After the expiring of this period, there was a slight diminishing of religion spirit. Hearts were
turning towards the pleasure of this world than towards God. The number of empires and monarch
has been brought under the banner of Islam, having being conquered by Muslims armies. Those
who refused to accept Islam have agreed to pay “jizyat” (tax). This has brought about wealth to the
leaders of Muslims. Those leaders change not only their attitude but also their tittles to
‘Malik’(Ruler), Sultan (king). They got carried away with affluence and fame of this world they
started to rule like the Roman and Persian kings were doing. They started to build palaces, wearing
crowns and keeping many security guards and women.
After this period the leadership of Muslim countries abandoned the teaching of Qur’an, Science of
Hadith and other things that could have positive effect on the society. They started patronizing
poets who were busy celebrating their praises. During this period, a number of systems emerged.
There were Qadarites, Jabarites, Shiates ,Azrakites and the Muslim scholarship was not
patronized. People were arguing on trivialities such as creation of Qur’an, where is God facing,
what is he doing now? Etc. During this period, a number of Muslims Scholars, Philosophers, and
Scientist were killed because they were trying to raise their voice to normalize the situation.
Desire to return to Pristine Islam
Seeing this station, those Muslims who were more mentally alert to their religious duties than
other began to yearn seriously for a quick return to the pristine Islam. Those who were intelligent
and wise saw that the love of good things of life consumed the whole community and that Satan
has taken over the control of mans affairs.
Those serious and mentally upright and spiritually conscious Muslims who adore God decided to
separate themselves from the rest of the world. They made up their mind to devote themselves to
the recollection and remembrance of God. They made that the object of their lives. These men
because of their yearn for pure Islam decided to cut off themselves from mundane world for God
sake. They decided to clean themselves of all forms of impurities. They believe that the moral and
spiritual impurities are the source of social and spiritual maladies that mal the society. These men
decided to lead a life full of meditation they threw away from their inner heart the love of
mundane and material things. Consequence upon their attitude, gold and mud became of equal
value to their heart. They have acquired some of the qualities of the earliest Companions of the
Prophet. The belief of this people was that the prophet and the earliest Companions were able to
achieve the purpose of their lives because they posses nothing and were not possessed by anything.
They believe that the Sahabah (Companions), Tabiun (Followers), and Tabiu tabi’n (Followers of
the followers) were able to succeed and were able to achieve the purpose of their lives because
they lived and died as true Muslims. They believe this earliest Sahabah (Companions) rejected the
love of this world and God granted them the dominion of this world and His grace in the hereafter.
They believed that the subsequent generations after the Tabiu’ tabi’n (followers of the followers)
have become corrupt and that love of the mundane had lured them away from the path of Islam.
They started teaching themselves and their few admires and followers how to purify oneself and
how to improve moral.
The self-purification forms the main subject matter of the Sufis. This was not only by denying the
needs of the canal desire alone, but also by purifying their conduct and cleaning their
consciousness. The ultimate goal is attainment of the eternal felicity and perpetual blessedness.
These people taught their followers the doctrine of renunciation of all self-pleasure. They also
encourage their disciple to give up all unlawful canal desires. They believed that greed for power
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and position, lust for wealth and women and excessive love of the mundane world among other
things are capable of destroying man spiritually, socially and even politically. They saw
themselves as living in a society that was almost bankrupt because of the great sins that are been
committed daily. The society that they found themselves has turned its back to God and the
displeasure of Allah has continued to rain upon the society. They decided without further delay to
turn towards Allah. This is just like the Qur’anic account of David who felt he has committed sin
and repented without any delay and Allah forgave him. Having attained a lofty position, Allah
warned him not to follow his passion and self desires in administering justice on earth. Seeking the
forgiveness of God all the time is another doctrine of the Sufis.
This people believed that they were the real heirs of the Prophet and his Companions though they
can not adopt the titles such as Sahabas, (Companions) or Tabiun (Followers). They believed that
although there was a time lag between them and the disciples of the Prophet, but it was still
possible for them to get to a lofty position and attain higher rank because Allah has promised them
in the Qur’an 29: 69
“As for those who strive in Our cause, We will surely guide
them to Our ways; rest assured that Allah is with the righteous.”
Several names were given to them some of which are: “Fuqarah” (Poor men), “Zuhaad”
(Ascetics), “Solihun” (Good men) to mention but a few. These are the people who later became
known as Sufis.
Definition of Sufism.
Scholars have attempted to define Sufism and Tasawwuf in various ways. All these definitions
revolved round, purification, cleanliness and inner purity of action. The definitions simply point to
two things; cleanliness of action and cleanliness of intention. Some people defined Sufism as
purity of the heart and cleanliness of the heart. This means Sufis are the people whose hearts are
pure. The Sufis are those whose conducts toward God are sincere. They pay more attention to
matters relating to cleanliness of the heart and inner purity. They attached a great importance to the
tradition of the Prophet which says that there exist a lump of flesh in man which is goodness
indicates the goodness of entire man’s system. And if this particular flesh is bad, then the entire
body system is faulty. This lump of flesh is the human hearth. According to the Qur’an, if the
Almighty Allah wishes to lead a servant to path of virtue, the first thing he does is to clean his
chest. We would remember that when Prophet Musa (AS) was called upon for Allah’s message the
first thing he requested for is that Allah should open his mind. Even the first thing Allah did for
Prophet Muhammad when he was still a child was that Allah opened his mind. (See Q 94)
This is why the Sufis attach great importance to cleanliness of the heart. Some other scholars
define Sufism as a system adopted by the people whose qualities and attitudes resemble those of
the people of the bench whose own desire was to secure the pleasure of God.
One of the doctrines of Sufism is that members should turn their desire to God and abandon
mundane world. Sufis are taught to live in this world like those have already departed. Some
Scholars are of the opinion that Sufis are regarded as the people of the first roll while others
opined that the Sufis are so called because they used to put on the coarse wool clothing.
How the Sufis hope to achieve their goal.
To achieve their goal, the Sufis laid much emphasis on learning.
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 They, therefore, encourage their followers to attach more importance to Qur’an, Hadith, Fiqh,
Siral etc.
 They also encourage their followers to put their learning into practice.
 They also encourage their followers to always travel to see wonders of Allah.
 They should always be doing their obligatory aspect of religion regularly and some optional
act of worship (Ibadah)
The Muslim world has produced giants Sufis. Some of them are:
 Abu Hamid Al-Gazali
 Ibrahim bn Adham
 Muhyiddeen bn Al Arabi
 Imam Junaid
 Al-Hasan Al-Basri and others
There came a time when the Sufi doctrine was corrupted by fakes. These fakes used Sufi pretext
to extort money from people. They did a lot of damage to Sufism. They turn the thump of Sufi
leaders into shrines. The Sufis were quick to react. That is why we started to have book of
Tassawwuf and Sufism. Their writings spelt out their diction with reference to Qur’an and
Hadith.
This write up will not complete without mentioning some of the names of those giant Sufi, who
had contributed to the spread of Islam in this part of the world. Some of them are:
 Sheikh Ahmad Baba of Timbuktu
 Sheikh Uthman bn Fodio
 Sheikh Ahmad Ture
 Sheikh Ibrahim Kaolakh
 Sheikh Alimi of Ilorin. etc
These giant Sufis leader had great influence on their followers and all the entire society.
In conclusion, I want to call our attention to the Hadith of the prophet that talk about Islam, Iman
Ihsan. There are three stages: - the first stage will only qualify you for the second stage. Islam is
the first quality, Iman is the second while Ihsan is the third.
The Ihsan the prophet (S.A.W) described as worshiping Allah as if one is seeing him physically,
even though one cannot see him, He (Allah) sees him.
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