Assessing The Relevance Of ‘Salafi Sufism’ in Urban Society

Abstract

The Salafī Sufism movement, pioneered by Ibn Taymiyyah introduces a new classification in Islamic Sufism, dividing it into three groups: the early pure Sunni Sufis, Sunni Sufis influenced by nonIslamic thought, and the Sufi Falsafī considered deviant. Fazlur Rahman proposed “Neo-Sufism” to accommodate the textual Sufism of Ibn Taymiyyah, emphasizing moral and spiritual purification. However, other scholars prefer to call it “Salafī Sufism,” aligning with Salafist ideology. In modern urban society, the strict approach of Salafī Sufism may be less flexible in dealing with life pressures and rapid social changes, requiring a more dynamic and adaptive spiritual approach. Although Salafī Sufism teaches a balance between worldly and spiritual matters, its highly literal approach may be less effective in addressing complex urban communities’ emotional and psychological needs, which require innovative and adaptive solutions.