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I found out that Ibn Kathir studied under Ibn Taymiyya.

 

Even though Ibn Taymiyya praised the Sufis, Abu Yazid Al Bistamy, Abd AL Qadir Al Jilani, Rabia Al Adawiya among others; and even though Ibn Kathir wrote a book in praise of Imam Shafi, I do not wish to continue on with this thread as Ibn Taymiyya is the penultimate reference of the Wahhabis.

 

The Wahhabis filled the world with their extremist knowledge. (It is extremist knowledge according to Sufi standards)

 

Here are examples from Abd Al Qadir Al Jilani, one of the greatest Sufis. Abd Al Qadir Al Jilani lived in the 12th century. He was, as it is believed in Sufism, one of the representants of the Prophet (saas). Muhammad (saas) has representants in each century. They are in the presence of Allah and His Messenger (saas), they enjoy closeness with Allah and his Messenger (saas), they are friends of Allah and His Messenger (saas) and they are in constant interaction with Allah and His Messenger (saas). They know what Muhammad (saas) means for each Hadith for the people of the different centuries. The Hadiths apply to all ages, but Muhammad (saas) speaks these words in accordance with the needs of his time, the 7th century. Whatever he said in the 7th century is true also for the 21st century. However, only the saintly Sufi spiritual guides of the 21st century know exactly how it applies for the 21st century. They know this from Allah and His Messenger (saas) with whom they are in constant interaction. This is Sufi belief. Therefore, it is forbidden to take the Qur'an from a book shelf at home, at the library or at the mosque, read it and understand it as it is read. There must be an explanation for the Qur'an, from entitled Ulama.

 

"Did ye then think that We had created you in jest, and that ye would not be brought back to Us (for account)?" (Surah 23, V 115)

 

It means human beings have been created for a very great affair.

 

 

"But ye will not, except as Allah wills" (Surah 76, V 30)

 

It means you should not want anything at all. If you want anything, you are going against Allah Almighty.

 

Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani is a very great saintly Sufi spiritual guide of the 21st century, of the Naqshbandi Sufi Order. Here is an example from him:

 

"Ya Sin" (Surah 36, V 1)

It means whoever is a Sayyid (a truly great one in Islam) is from the family of the Prophet (saas).

 

Abd Al Qadir Al Jilani said about this verse:

"Who created me, and it is He Who guides me" (Surah 26, V 78)

 

it means one is in need of a spriritual guide (a saintly Sufi spiritual guide) to show him the way. The way is crossing this world, crossing the next and arriving to Allah Almighty without falling in the dangers of the way.

 

Shaykh Muhammad Hisham Kabbani, the great Sufi saint of the Naqshbandi Order said about this part of a verse:

 

"We have honoured the sons of Adam" (Surah 17, V 70)

 

it means the physical body is greatly honored.

 

 

They are the ones that can tell you how to read, and how you must read, the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Hadiths. Each one of them talks in accordance with the time, the century.