How does Islam view Sufis who seek contact with God through particular practices?

Sufis should not all be lumped together, for they think and act very differently. One can only judge a particular group after getting to know its teachings and conduct well, and the measure is always the Holy Qur’an and the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw).

Anyone who has met a few Sufis with strange customs can easily come to see all Sufis that way. But that would be unfair. Under the name of Sufism there are very different people and groups. Some live a deep and sincere piety. Others have introduced practices that have little to do with Islam and claim that through them they are in contact with God.

It is true that such claims confuse many people. Yet one can only judge a particular group fairly after getting to know its teachings, its conduct and the way it treats others. Without this knowledge any judgement would be hasty. Islam asks us not to speak about people we do not know.

What can be said in general is the standard. The wish to be close to God is good and lies at the heart of faith. The first verse above promises everyone who strives sincerely that God will guide them in His ways. The second verse describes this closeness as prayer in humility and quiet, not as a performance.

The third verse shows that the sure path to the love of God is to follow the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Every practice can be measured by this. Whatever agrees with his example and the Holy Qur’an can be a path to God. Whatever departs from it leads astray, however impressive it may look.