Abstract
In western public discourse, as well as in parts of academia, Sufism and Salafism are sometimes portrayed as arch enemies in Islam. However, so far, very few studies have analyzed in detail the polemics between Sufis and Salafis in a western setting. This article tries to fill this gap by providing a snapshot of the critique of Salafism by the Sufi Nāẓimiyya order, as well as the response from the British Salafi spectrum. It will argue that although both protagonists would perceive themselves in the same way as outlined above, in fact both groups are influenced by each other with regard to the benchmark of what constitutes “authentic Islam”, as well as the ways in which arguments are portrayed as legitimately grounded in Islamic thought. These insights may help in better understanding the complexities of contemporary intra-Muslim debates and representations.
Highlights
At a first glance, Sufism and Salafism might be perceived as existing in a solely antagonistic relationship in contemporary Sunni Islam
In the view of the Sufis, this spiritual dimension is more important than the mere observance of legal prescriptions and Muslims should try to establish a closer relationship to God via constant remembrance, in order to receive certain religious knowledge
“Salafipublications”, which belongs to the network of the British Salafi preacher Abu Khadeejah
Summary
Whether both approaches to Islam are really as conflicting as claimed by their followers is something to be discussed in this article These above-outlined delineations of what it means to be a Sufi/Salafi has been partially taken for granted in western public discourse on religious extremism and Islamist militancy. I explore these questions by using a case study of the Naqshbandiyya-Nāz.imiyya, led by Shaykh Nazim Qibrisi until his death in 2014 and Salafi writings published on the website “Salafipublications”, which belongs to the network of the British Salafi preacher Abu Khadeejah.2 This particular order was chosen since the publications of the Nāz.imiyya were a general response to various criticism levelled at Sufism by Salafis both in the western as well as in the Islamic world. It isaunclear the description ofthe abdāl as “extraordinarily is (2015)
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