Salafi–Sufi relations

Sufism is associated with the rectification of the soul (tasawwuf) and is mainly focused in becoming a better Muslim to achieve a higher status in paradise by imitating the Islamic saints (awliya) and pious leaders.

The term "Sufism" has been narrated from the Imams of the Salaf like Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Abu Sulayman al-Darani, Sufyan al-Thawri, Al-Hasan al-Basri, etc.

Salafis consider true Sufism as the collective synthesis of theology, psychology, and ethics which is also known as the Science of purifying the soul (Tazkiyyat Al-Nafs), noble morals (makarim al-akhlaq), and spiritual wayfaring ('ilm al-suluk).

[14][15] According to Ahl-i Hadith leader Sāyyīd Siddîq Hāsân Khān (1832-1890 C.E):"The science of spiritual wayfaring is to know the soul, the psychological states it has and that act against it.

[19] According to Pnina Werbner, the rising Salafiyya reform-revivalist movement, alongside the global modernization process put "Sufi tariqas" in "danger of disappearing altogether" in the 1970s and 80s.

An extremist minority of Ash'arite and Maturidite theologians pronounce Takfir on Salafi Muslims, accusing them of committing shirk and of deifying "an object at the sky".

[47] A range of beliefs about spirits and angels present in tales from various classical Muslim texts are rejected by Salafi reformists, who refer to quotes from the Qur'an and hadith, to bolster their creedal arguments.

Various dhikr prescribed in religious scriptures, including the Basmala, are recommended by Salafi scholars to Muslim laymen for recital, to ward off dangers from Satanic temptations.

In 2020, major Pashtun Ahl-i Hadith ulema convened in Peshawar under the leadership of Shaikh Abdul Aziz Nooristani and Haji Hayatullah to pledge Bay'ah (oath of loyalty) to the Taliban and publicly condemn IS-K.

[66] The students of knowledge who were trained in Saudi Arabia strengthened the Da’wa Salafism, the tolerant Salafi inspired social movement, in Algeria.

[68] Thus, followed with poor economic conditions in the country and unsettled ethnic conflicts between Bosniaks toward Serbs and Croats, young Bosnian Muslims have become increasingly attracted to the ideology.

[70] In recent years, with the rise of far-right, Islamophobia had become more frequent in Bulgaria, with a traditionally Orthodox Christian majority with a significant Muslim minority which practice Sufism as well as tolerant Salafism.

[77] Salafis in China remain low in number as they are not included in classifications of Muslim sects in China, and have just only re-established since the 2000s, opposed by Sufis; though it is changing due to increasing funds from Gulf Arab states with parallel Salafi Islamic belief, notably Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Qatar – in exchange for growing Chinese investments in these countries.

[87] In November 2016, images were released purporting to show the execution of the 100-year-old Sheikh Sulaiman Abu Haraz, "considered one of the symbolic Sufi clerics and elders of the Sinai Peninsula".

[88] The images were released by Ansar Bait al-Maqdis – ISIS-affiliated extremist group in Egypt which rebranded itself as "ISIS-Sinai" when it pledged allegiance to ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).

[93] French Salafis follow a progressive logic of being attracted by modern and dynamic trading cities which enable them to set up businesses and become wealthy.

According to state police and central intelligence officers,[98] this construction is part of $35-billion program reportedly devoted to the building of mosques and madrassas in South Asia.

[98] Kashmir's predominantly Sufi-Hanafi community is reportedly anxious over Jamiat Ahle Hadith's rapid proliferation, its increasing popularity among youth,[98] and "mysterious fires" in 2012 that left six Sufi places of worship either completely or partially burnt (although investigators have so far found no sign of arson).

[22] Many Sufi Barelvis believe that the beneficiaries of Saudi largesse are not just the Ahl-e-Hadith (who come closest to Wahhabism) but also the variety of Sunni Islam espoused by seminaries like the Darul Uloom Deoband and Nadwatul Ulema.

Deobandi used the term to refer to the more strict Ahl-e Hadith who oppose taqlid ('imitation') of one of the four Madhhab (major schools of Sunni jurisprudence), and any form of Sufism.

[120] From April 2012 to January 2013 the Islamist Movement for Oneness and Jihad in West Africa (Jamāʿat at-tawḥīd wal-jihād fī gharb ʾafrīqqīyā) and Ansar Dine were in control of Gao, Timbuktu and Kidal in North Mali.

[127] In 1559 AD, after conquering Pegu (present-day Bago), Bayinnaung banned Islamic ritual slaughter, thereby prohibiting Muslims from consuming halal meals of goats and chicken.

[142] Nonetheless, the Burmese Government has yet to have an effective respond to violence between religious groups including Sufis and Salafis, due to lack of cooperation and heavy corruption within the country.

According to Ramzi Amara, Today the Izala is one of the largest Islamic societies not only in Northern Nigeria, but also in the South and even in the neighbouring countries (Chad, Niger, and Cameroon).

Salafi scholars allege that instead of letting them theologically refute radical Jihadists, the Russian authorities are radicalising young Muslims and pushing them into insurgency.

[166] However, the Russian Government launched massive crackdowns on Salafi activities since 2015, and target young Muslims under the label "Wahhabi extremist" without any solid grounds of offence.

[178] On Easter Sunday 21 April 2019, the National Thowheeth Jama'ath, a radical Qutbist group inspired by IS,[179] bombed Christian churches and luxury hotels in Colombo Sri Lanka, killing over 250 people.

Several days later a memo circulated by Sri Lankan security services stated that there was "credible information" that the National Thowheeth Jama’ath, was planning another attack "specifically targeting Sufi shrines."

Beji Caid Essebsi, the leader of centre-left, Nida Tunis party, accused Islamist Ennahda of not punishing the perpetrators and of sympathising with extremist groups.

[193] The Government of Vietnam, having long complex relations with the Chams, maintains heavy security surveillance over both Sufis and Salafis, and has limited a number of Islamic scholars entering the country without possible requirements.