The Distinctive Feature of the Naqshbandi Path: Adherence to Sharīʿah and Sunnah
Addressed to: Mullā Muḥammad Biyānki (may Allah have mercy on him)
نَحْمَدُهُ وَنُصَلِّي عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ الْكَرِيمِ
May Allah, the Exalted, grant us and you steadfastness upon the straight path of the true Muṣṭafawī Sharīʿah — peace and blessings be upon its bearer.
O my righteous brother, the noble masters of the exalted Naqshbandi path were firmly committed to the radiant Sunnahs of the Noble Prophet ﷺ and acted upon the path of strict adherence (ʿazīmah). If, alongside this strict adherence and discipline, they were granted spiritual states (ḥāl) or ecstatic moments (wajd), they would consider it a great blessing. However, if they were to experience such states without maintaining strict conformity to the Sunnah and Sharīʿah, they would regard it as a loss and spiritual deficiency.
After all, even Brahmins and Hindu yogis of India and philosophers of ancient Greece were well-versed in outward illuminations, symbolic unveilings, and theoretical concepts of monotheism. Yet they achieved nothing but disgrace and spiritual ruin — nothing came of it except distance from Allah and deprivation.
O my brother, since by the grace of Allah you are now connected to the chain of these noble elders, it is necessary for you to adhere strictly to their teachings and allow not even a hair’s breadth of deviation from their path. Only then will you benefit from their spiritual perfections.
Firstly, rectify your beliefs in accordance with the creed of Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jamāʿah.
Secondly, gain knowledge of the rulings related to obligations (farḍ), duties (wājib), Sunnah, recommended acts (mustaḥabb), lawful and unlawful (ḥalāl and ḥarām), disliked and doubtful matters (makrūh and mushtabih) — as taught in the science of fiqh — and act accordingly.
Only in the third stage should one begin learning the sciences of Ṣūfism.
Until a seeker properly establishes the first two — correct beliefs and adherence to the laws of fiqh — it is impossible to soar in the realm of sacred nearness or attain closeness to Allah. Even if one experiences spiritual states or ecstasies without these foundations, they are a form of spiritual loss and should be shunned.
“The Messenger’s duty is only to convey the message.” (Qur’an 5:99)