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Everyone should read this post: Setting the Record Straight - Ustadh Suhaib Webb

One of our most beloved Imams, Suhaib Webb has recently been part of a little… frustrated diatribe. Alhamdulillah, he has finally clarified his stance on certain issues, and I have to say I agree 100% with Imam Suhaib with the problem he states:

The Problem:

The problem arrises when groups try to monopolize their contentions as being the comlete representation of the tradition.

Our sufi/madhabi brethren will say this means to follow one of the four schools of law, hold to being an ‘Ashari or Maturidi in creed and a follower of Sufixm (although they differ on the obligation to take a tariqha or not)

Our salafi bretheren hold that one, should follow one of the four schools [not clear at times], be hanbali in creed (or salafi).

Over the last 15 yrs the West has become a waste land for the wars that have taken place between both schools. In their attempt to derive authentity, each has staked a claim to traditionalism as defined by the parameters of their learning and understanding. The problem with both is that a monolith is eventually given birth to that allows each to, in the name of tradition and tolerance, destroy each other with words, pens and so forth. Initially, one must admit, that our salafi bretheren were exceedingly rude and outrageous in their attacks upon the sufis and the asharis. Then, sometime in the late 90’s and definitely post 911 some of the Sufis were given a window of opportunity and, instead of seeking to mend fences with the [moderate] salafis they begin to launch attacks on them from every angle, questioning their ijazas, resorting to tabloid type journalism and excluding them from the discourse. There is a famous Usoli principle that says, “And extreme will only give birth to its opposite.”

And this is where my frustration lies. I’m upset with both extreme camps who’ve left us all somewhere in the middle. We, the majority, have found ourselves stuck in the mud and unable to move do to these wars. Thus, when I say that “I’ve washed myself from traditional Islam.” I’m referring both extreme groups who have done nothing but create problems in our communities. Thus, talk of a third discourse is towards those who are willing to work together, move beyond these things and turn this short life into something productive. Admittedly I failed to make that clear in my last post and admit that I was mistaken. I hate labels and hope to stay away from it in the future.

Read the complete article here