Contemporary Sufi Views on the Prophet between Extremism and Moderation – Al-Jifri as a Model

Abstract

Abstract

 This research studies the contemporary Sufi views on the Prophet (peace be upon him) between Extremism and Moderation and focused on Al-Jifri as a Model. The research addresses some of the views related to the person of the Prophet (peace be upon him) by a contemporary figure, Sheikh Al-Jifri. He has presented these views in an appealing and eloquent manner that has attracted both the general public and scholars. The research aims to gather his opinions related to the Prophet (peace be upon him), which Al-Habib Al-Jifri has expressed in his videos, channels, and articles, and then to study them and clarify the stance of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah (the mainstream Sunni Muslims) regarding these views. The research is presented with an introduction to introduce Al-Habib Al-Jifri, followed by five sections: first, his views on the life and death of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and their analysis; second, his views on praising the Prophet (peace be upon him); his views on seeking help through the Prophet (peace be upon him; his veneration of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) relics; his permissibility of seeking supplication (tawassul) through the Prophet (peace be upon him). The core research questions are as follows: Who is Al-Habib Al-Jifri? What are his views related to the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he presents to the public? And what is the stance of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama'ah on these views? The research concluded with several findings. First, supplication through the Prophet (tawassul) is a broad term that encompasses both permissible and impermissible meanings. Second, excessive veneration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) is a dangerous matter that has many misconceptions in the current time, despite the Prophet's (peace be upon him) strong prohibition against it in various forms and at different times of his life. Third, while venerating personal relics of the Prophet (peace be upon him) was permissible, it is not feasible in the present time due to the extinction of these relics and their nonexistence today.

Keywords: Extremism and Moderation, Veneration, supplication through the Prophet (tawassul), The Prophet, Al-Jifri.