Reddit reply in r/Sufism: confusion — October 17, 2025 | Ali Shukri Amin

I don't know what you have been reading.

Al-Junayd ibn Muhammad, may Allah have mercy on him, said, “Our knowledge of Tasawwuf is defined by the Book and the Sunnah. Whoever does not memorize the Quran, nor write the prophetic teachings, nor study their understanding, he is not to be followed in it.”

Tasawuff is the academic science of studying Ihsan, Islamic spirituality. According to the hadith of Jibril, Ihsan has two levels: to worship Allah as if you see Him, or if unable to do so, then to worship Him knowing He sees you.

The three major sciences of Ihsan are Tasawuff, Adab, and Hikmah.

The major topics of Tasawuff are:

1. Taqwa, it's levels and stages
2. Inabah, which consists of tawbah and istighfar
3. Diseases of the heart & its cures
4. The stages of the path to Allah
5. The inner dimensions of worship

If any book you are reading on Tasawuff is not quoting the Quran, the Sunnah, and the early Sufis (al-Junayd, Rabia al-Basriyyah, Hasan al-Basri, Abu Talib al-Makki, Sahl al-Tustari, Dhu al-Nun al-Misri, al-Jilani, etc.) - that's a major red flag. If it is not discussing Ihsan, Taqwa, Tawbah, spiritual diseases, cures to spiritual diseases, the path to Allah (haqiqah & tariqah), and the legislated practices of Islam; then go read another book.

Some books on tasawuff:

Risalah al-Mustarshidin by al-Muhasibi

Khatimat al-Tasawuff by Ahmad Zarruq

Matharat al-Qulub by Mohammad Mawlud (Tayba foundation has an English commentary)

Minhaj al-Qasidin by ibn Jawzi (abridgement of al-Ihya)

Madarij al-Salikin by ibn al-Qayyim (commentary of Manazil al-Sa'irin)