The Beliefs of the Soofees & Ahl As-Sunnah

The Beliefs of the Soofees & Ahl As-Sunnah by Shaykh Saʿd bin Nāṣir ash-Shathrī is a succinct yet powerful critique and comparison of Sufi creed (tasawwuf) with the foundational beliefs of mainstream Ahl al-Sunnah wa’l-Jama‘ah. In just 76 pages, this paperback (ISBN 978970012012) examines how certain Sufi interpretations differ from orthodox Sunni teachings about the Pillars of Imān, based on Qur’anic principles and authentic Sunnah. 

Shaykh ash-Shathrī, a respected scholar and member of the Permanent Committee of Senior Scholars in Saudi Arabia, delves into concrete examples of where some Sufi thought diverges — particularly in doctrines related to divine knowledge, spiritual “stations” (maqāmāt), and the role of veneration for saints and spiritual masters. He carefully highlights how some Sufi practices and beliefs may undermine or conflict with the pure monotheism (tawḥīd) and creed of Ahl as-Sunnah.

At the same time, the author does not dismiss spirituality outright. Rather, he calls the believer to distinguish between genuine spiritual striving (which aligns with the Sunnah) and deviant ideological innovations that have crept into parts of the Sufi tradition. By drawing on classical scholarship and modern contexts — including the promotion of Sufism in Western Muslim communities — he provides a balanced, scholarly refutation grounded in Ahlus Sunnah methodology. 

This work is highly relevant for students of ʿaqīdah (Islamic creed), dawah workers, imams, and anyone seeking a firm understanding of what distinguishes orthodox Sunni belief from certain Sufi influences. It empowers readers to defend their faith knowledgeably, based on scriptural evidence and sound scholarship, while preserving spiritual purity and doctrinal integrity.

This book compares the beliefs of the Soofees (Sufi) and the Sufiyyah (sect) about the Pillars of Iman. The Shaikh, who is a member of the Permanent Committee of the Senior Scholars of Saudi Arabia, analyses the difference between the mainstream Ahl al-Sunnah wa'l-Jama'ah and the Sufis and how they have deviated from the correct and authentic teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

Shaykh Dr. Sa'd bin Naasir ash-Shathree is known amongst the people for his diligence and efforts in teaching the Quran and Sunnah. There are a couple of books of the Shaykh which have been translated into English, and this is the latest one on an issue which has been highlighted by the Western neo-con agenda in falsely tackling the creed system and tenets of faith of Ahl al-Sunnah Ahl al-Hadith.

In recent years, the neo-cons have also emphatically promoted the Sufi idea to Western Muslims; however, it is far from the true teachings of the Quran and Sunnah. Therefore, the Shaykh has highlighted the differences in the Beliefs of the basic pillars of Islam.