Below is a clear mapping of the core teachings associated with Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi to their Qur’anic and Prophetic foundations. This shows that the path is not new or personal, but rooted directly in Revelation and Sunnah, as understood by Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah.
1. Tawhid as the Absolute Foundation
Qur’an
“So know that there is no god but Allah.”
(Surah Muhammad 47:19)
“Allah is One. Allah, the Ever-Absolute.”
(Surah al-Ikhlas 112:1–2)
Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let the first thing you call them to be the testimony that there is no god but Allah.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Mapping to the Teaching
- Shaykh Abdalqadir insisted that tasawwuf begins with pure Tawhid
- No spiritual practice is valid if it compromises:
- Allah’s Oneness
- His Lordship
- His sole right to be worshipped
- Spiritual states without Tawhid are deception (istidraj)
2. Shari‘ah as the Necessary Framework
Qur’an
“Then We put you upon a clear law from the command, so follow it.”
(Surah al-Jathiyah 45:18)
“Whoever obeys the Messenger has obeyed Allah.”
(Surah an-Nisa’ 4:80)
Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Pray as you have seen me pray.”
(Bukhari)
Mapping
- No separation between fiqh and tasawwuf
- Shaykh Abdalqadir repeatedly warned:
- “Spirituality” without law leads to ego-worship
- The path demands:
- Correct ‘ibadah
- Halal livelihood
- Avoidance of haram in all forms
3. Ihsan (Tasawwuf) as the Inner Dimension
Qur’an
“Indeed Allah is with those who have taqwa and those who have ihsan.”
(Surah an-Nahl 16:128)
Hadith (Hadith Jibril)
“Ihsan is to worship Allah as though you see Him; and if you do not see Him, He sees you.”
(Muslim)
Mapping
- Shaykh Abdalqadir defined tasawwuf as the science of Ihsan
- Not emotional mysticism, but:
- Presence of heart
- Sincerity
- Constant awareness of Allah
4. Need for a Living Shaykh (Suhbah)
Qur’an
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and be with the truthful.”
(Surah at-Tawbah 9:119)
“Ask the people of remembrance if you do not know.”
(Surah an-Nahl 16:43)
Hadith
“The scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets.”
(Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
Mapping
- The path is transmitted person to person
- Books inform, but companionship transforms
- Without suhbah:
- The nafs becomes the teacher
- Spiritual arrogance develops
5. Adab as the Core of the Path
Qur’an
“Do not put yourselves forward before Allah and His Messenger.”
(Surah al-Hujurat 49:1)
“Lower your voice in the presence of the Messenger.”
(Surah al-Hujurat 49:2)
Hadith
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness in all matters.”
(Muslim)
Mapping
- Shaykh Abdalqadir taught:
- Loss of adab = loss of light
- Adab governs:
- Speech
- Disagreement
- Relationship with teachers and community
6. Wird, Dhikr, and Consistent ‘Amal
Qur’an
“Remember Allah with much remembrance.”
(Surah al-Ahzab 33:41)
“In the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest.”
(Surah ar-Ra‘d 13:28)
Hadith
“The most beloved actions to Allah are those that are consistent, even if small.”
(Bukhari & Muslim)
Mapping
- Awrad are:
- Qur’an-based
- Sunnah-aligned
- Practice is:
- Daily
- Disciplined
- Given with permission (idhn)
7. Jama‘ah and Collective Islam
Qur’an
“Hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not divide.”
(Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:103)
Hadith
“The wolf eats the lone sheep.”
(Abu Dawud)
“Allah’s hand is with the Jama‘ah.”
(Tirmidhi)
Mapping
- Shaykh Abdalqadir rejected isolated spirituality
- Islam must be lived:
- Socially
- Economically
- Politically (justice, not power)
8. Rejection of Riba and Injustice
Qur’an
“Allah has permitted trade and forbidden riba.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:275)
“O you who believe! Fear Allah and give up what remains of riba.”
(Surah al-Baqarah 2:278)
Hadith
“The Messenger of Allah cursed the one who consumes riba, the one who pays it, the one who records it, and the two who witness it.”
(Muslim)
Mapping
- Shaykh Abdalqadir viewed riba as:
- A spiritual disease
- A civilisational corruption
- Economic practice is part of worship
9. Patience, Discipline, and Transformation
Qur’an
“O you who believe, be patient and persevere.”
(Surah Aal ‘Imran 3:200)
Hadith
“Paradise is surrounded by hardships.”
(Muslim)
Mapping
- The path is not quick or easy
- Difficulty is purification, not punishment
- Transformation requires time and sincerity
Summary in One Ayah
“Indeed, my prayer, my sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds.”
(Surah al-An‘am 6:162)
This ayah encapsulates the teaching of Shaykh Abdalqadir as-Sufi:
Islam lived totally—heart, body, society, and civilisation.
- Dr Zuhaimy Ismail
