Q 1: What is the reality of Sufism? Does it comprise both good and bad aspects? Is Sufism completely independent from Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)?I hope Your Eminence will discuss the Sufi concept of “Al-Hadrah Al-Nabawiyyah” (seeking the presence of the Prophet). Is it a proper practice?We have in Sudan some Sufi men who take the dome built on the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as evidence for the permissibility of building domes on graves. What is the Islamic ruling on this?What is the reality of the Sufi concepts of Ghawth (spiritual helper), Qutb (spiritual pole) and Rijal Al-Kawn (Men of the Universe)?

A: First: You may consult the books “Madarij Al-Salikin” by Ibn Al-Qayyim (Part No. 2; Page No. 265) Al-Jawziyyah, and the book “Hadhihi Hiya Al-Sufiyyah” (Such is Sufism) by `Abdul-Rahman Al-Wakil for information on Sufi-related inquiries. Second: The dome built on the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) should not be used as a pretext for building domes on the graves of Awliya’ (pious people) and the righteous, for neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) made a will that a dome should be built on his grave, nor was it built by his Companions, or the Tabi‘un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet) or the rightly-guided Imams who lived during the first centuries of Islam whose virtue and excellence are attested to by the Prophet (peace be upon him). Rather, it was built by the people of Bid‘ahs (innovations in religion). Moreover, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is authentically reported to have said: “Whoever introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected.” Moreover, `Aly, (may Allah be pleased with him) is authentically reported to have said to Abu Al-Hayyaj: “Shall I not send you on the same mission as the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) sent me? Do not leave any image without erasing it or any high grave without leveling it.” Recorded by Muslim. Consequently, since neither the Prophet (peace be upon him) nor the rightly-guided Imams are reported to have built a dome on his grave, - in fact, the Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have enjoined the contrary - a Muslim should not take the dome built by people of Bid‘ah on the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as an ideal to be imitated.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.