Q: We have so many followers of the Tijaniyyah (a Sufi order that stresses culture, education, and ritual practices by disciples), but I have known from your Program "Nur `ala AlDarb" that it is an innovated Tariqah (Sufi order) that must not be followed. However, my family members recite the remembrance litanies of Shaykh Ahmad AlTijany, which is SalatulFatih (Remembrance from the Tijaniyyah order). They claim that SalatulFatih is the correct form of sending peace and blessings on the Prophet (peace be upon him); is this true? They also claim that whoever used to recite SalatulFatih and stop reciting it becomes a Kafir (disbeliever). They believe that if one cannot persist in reciting it and stops, no blame is there but if they are able to recite it and stop, they have turned into a Kafirs. I told my father that this is not correct and is not permissible but he accused me of being a follower of the Wahhabi order. Please, advise!
A: Undoubtedly, Tijaniyyah is an innovated Tariqah and Muslims are not permitted to follow innovated Tariqahs, whether the Tijaniyyah or any other. Rather, they must follow and adhere to what was revealed to the Messenger (peace be upon him), because Allah says:
Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ to mankind): "If you (really) love Allâh then follow me (i.e. accept Islâmic Monotheism, follow the Qur'ân and the Sunnah), Allâh will love you and forgive you your sins.
[Say (O Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴـﻪ ﻭﺳـﻠﻢ) to these idolaters (pagan Arabs) of your folk:] Follow what has been sent down unto you from your Lord (the Qur'ân and Prophet Muhammad's Sunnah), and follow not any Auliyâ' (protectors and helpers who order you to associate partners in worship with Allâh), besides Him (Allâh). Little do you remember!
Indeed in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) you have a good example to follow for him who hopes for (the Meeting with) Allâh and the Last Day, and remembers Allâh much.
Whoever innovates things in our affairs for which there is no valid (reason) (commits sin) and these are to be rejected.
And then, the best of speech is embodied in the Book of Allah, and the best of guidance is the guidance given by Muhammad (peace be upon him). And the most evil affairs are their innovations; and every Bid`ah is error.
Say: O Allah! Send peace on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent peace on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, for You are Praiseworthy and Glorified. O Allah! Send blessings on Muhammad and the family of Muhammad as You sent blessings on Ibrahim and the family of Ibrahim, for You are Praiseworthy and Glorified.