On Saturday, 26th February, Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri addressed the third installment of the webinar series titled 'The Modern Times and Historic Ways'. The topic of this seminar was “A journey into the Sufi Way in light of the Qur’an and Hadith”. The discourse was streamed live on various social media platforms viewed and tuned in by thousands.

The third webinar continued the discussion on the topic of Sufism and tasawwuf. In the last webinar, Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri spoke about Sufism and tasawwuf; what it is and what it is not. The crux of his discourse was that Sufiism is not about customs – particular rituals or practices – but rather a condition of the Heart, mind, and soul, and a way of life.

He continued by saying that in order to discover the authenticity and veracity of a particular topic, an idea, or an intellectual movement, we must locate its origin within the Qur’an and the Sunnah. If we find it expressed, explicitly mentioned, or find it supported in the Holy Qur’an in the Sunnah, then we know that this movement, idea, and intellectual position is authentic and genuine.

Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri went on to emphasize that Sufiism is found evidently and explicitly, in principle, in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). Someone who doubts the veracity and authenticity of the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah are de facto challenging the primary sources upon which Islam is built.

He also clarified the concept of Sunnah. It is not only applicable to the teachings and practice of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), but also to the traditions and practice of the Companions and the pious predecessors. The first three generations of Muslims are a source of inspiration and a beacon of light. Therefore, it is important to look into their practices, traditions, and teachings as well to establish whether or not a particular practice and an intellectual tradition is genuine and authentic or not.

Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri then effortlessly and masterly went onto establish that Sufiism and the following principles of tasawwuf are found explicitly in the Holy Qur’an, the teachings and practice of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the practice and teachings of the Companions.

The principles were as followed:

1. Spiritual purification
2. Wearing woolen clothing
3. Seclusion and solitude
4. Avoiding unnecessary socialization
5. Acts and perpetual state of the remembrance of Allah the Almighty
6. Limiting speech, sleep, food, and comfort
7. Practicing prolonged silence
8. Practice of spiritual auditions
9. Connection, adherence, devotion, and deriving blessings from the relics of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the righteous people
10. Pious company

Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri concluded by saying that if we practice these principles in our lives, we can achieve spiritual fulfillment and upliftment. Thus, ensuring that our relationship with Allah the Almighty is intimate.