A Study of the Critique of Mystics’ Self-Refinement and Non-Compliance with the Sharia

One of the issues in Islamic mysticism which has caused many challenges and which has become the pretext for justifying the dissent from Sufi teachings is the issue of “non-compliance with the Sharia.” Critics and exegetes have offered various views on mystics’ non-compliance with the Sharia. Reflection on and analysis of the critical thoughts of the mystics themselves on this matter can reveal the truth. A glance at the words and behavior of mystic elders reveals their adherence to religion and its supreme purposes and their avoidance of any religious superficialism. Although sporadic research has been done explaining this issue, its importance requires us to delve into the view of the mystics themselves on the matter. In this article, while having the justifications for non-compliance with the Sharia in mind, the opinions and statements of mystics and scholars of mystical thought are examined. Our hypothesis is based on the fact that non-compliance with the Sharia has been the result of pseudo-Sufis’ acts and the attribution of this non-compliance to Sufi sheikhs may need rethinking.