An example of Bidah (innovation) by Nuh Ha Mim Keller

This is an example of how some Sufis start with something that is indisputable but end up with a Bid’ah. Also, please note how the names of reputable scholars are being used to give legitimacy to innovation.

In page 12 of the Tariqa Notes, Nuh Ha Mim Keller said:

“ La ilaha illa Llah is recited three times aloud, slowly, following each obligatory prayer after saying the Istighfar. In tajwid terms, one draws out the initial La for a space of six harakas (vowels) and the alif of the final Llah for four. At the third time, one says Muhammadun rasulu Llah(i): Salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam once, and then one’s other post-salat dhikrs. It is recited out loud together as a group after prayers with tariqa members, but may be recited to oneself when praying with others. Nawawi mentions the hadith of Ibn al-Zubayr from Sahih Muslim that ‘the prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to say La ilaha illa Llah after every prayer’ (al-Majmu’,3.485)”

Comment:

Let’s contemplate the hadith in Sahih Muslim that imam Nawawi mentions:

“ The prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to say La ilaha illa Llah after every prayer”

The hadith is simple and self-explanatory. Let’s now consider what the Shadhili order proponents like Keller have added to the Sunnah of the Messenger SAAWS:

1.         La ilaha illa Llah is recited three times aloud,

2.         Slowly,

3.         In tajwid terms,

a.    one draws out the initial La for a space of six harakas (vowels) and

b.    the alif of the final Llah for four.

4.         At the third time, one says Muhammadun rasulu Llah(i): Salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam once,

5.         It is recited out loud together as a group after prayers with tariqa members, but may be recited to oneself when praying with others

There is no evidence for any of the above. Such clear straying away from the path of the Prophet SAAWS forces one to question the loyalty and love of such Sufis for the prophet SAAWS and his Sunnah (way)! When in fact they not only innovate in his path, but rather attempt to better his Deen. His way is simple, as the Hadith above explains.

Also, the reader is kindly requested to pay attention to the fifth point above. In a mosque that has members of the tariqa, the real life impact is that you will have a group of people making dhikr together while others (fellow Muslims) are excluded. It seems that some Sufis are not satisfied until they divide the Ummah down to the root level of individual mosques. Those who have had the chance to visit parts of the Muslim world where Sufism is strong must have noticed its evil effect of breaking individual Muslim communities into isolated groups (tareeqas), which end up being at odds with one other.

If the above Bid’ah (innovation) and alike were not introduced or innovated, all Muslims would stick to and recite this and other Dhikr in the way of the Prophet SAAWS.

Click here for more examples of Bidahs by Nuh Keller

An detailed article on the various arguments about Bid'ah is coming soon

updated: JAN 16th 2002