Abul Fadl, Ahmad bin Muhammad bin AbdulKareem, known as Ibn ‘Ataa’illah AlSakandari AlShathily AlMaliky, died in Cairo year 709 AH.
He is considered one of the most famous Sufi preachers. To say the truth, there is a lot of benefit in his statements and sermons. However, I will quote from his books deviations in ‘Aqeedah which were a result of extremism and being distanced from proper knowledge.
This will benefit in warning from these books and their author.
He said in his book Taj Al’Aroos page 36: Allah SWT informs those who observe His rights about His intentions in His kingdom. Then Ibn ‘Ataa’illah looked at some of his followers and asked them: Is there among you any one whom Allah SWT informs of His intentions? They replied: No, He said: Then you should cry on your souls.
He said in the same book page 75: Shaikh Makeenuddeeen AlAsmar RAA said: When I was in Alexandria I saw two suns rising together. I was surprised. I got closer, and found a youth whose beard had just started to grow. His light overwhelmed the sun light. I gave him salam, and he replied. I told him: From where are you? He replied: I prayed Fajr in AlAqsa mosque, I prayed Thuhur here, and will pray Asr in Mecca, and Maghrib in Madinah. I told him: will you be my guest? He replied: There is no way, then he left.
Note: Refer to AlFatawa AlHindiyyah 4/348. Several scholars have declared Kufr on he who claims to have such miracles.
Ibn ‘Ataillah also claimed that Allah SWT speaks to the Awlia’ directly. He said on page 47: A wife told her husband: I can not stand being away from you, or that you occupy yourself with someone other than me. Later, Allah SWT called this man and told him: Your wife is not a creator, or a founder, yet she loves that you dedicate your heart to her. So how much would I love for you to dedicate your heart to me.
He also said on page 30: Only a stupid man cries when his son dies, and does not cry at what he missed with Allah SWT. Crying at a lost son is just like saying: I am crying at what occupied me from my lord. This man should be happy for losing his son.
Note: Let us not forget that the best on mankind, Prophet Muhammad PBUH cried when his son, Ibraaheem died.
Ibn ‘Ataillah said: I heard our sheikh Almursi AbulAbbaas interpreting the Ayah: “None of our revelations do We abrogate or cause to be forgotten, but We substitute something better or similar”, he said the verse means: We do not take away a Wali, but bring another Wali in his place.
The most famous of Ibn ‘Ataillah’s books is AlHikam A’ataiyyah. In this book he demonstrates that he believes in the ‘Aqeedah of Wahdat AlWojood.
Oleh: Haitsam Hamdan
