Who/what is an Ikhwani, Salafi, and Sufi – Part I

Bismilllah,
Not that I am a big fan of labeling people names, but I found it really ignorant of people to take such stereotypes and run with them just as if they are true. This series of posts will consist of five parts:
Part I: Into and Some of the stereotypes known about Ikhwanis’, Salafis’, and Sufis’
Part II: Who are the Ikhwanis’ (click here)
Part III: Who are the Salafis’
Part IV: Who are the Sufis’
Part V: The Conclusion.

I must mention though, the below statements are not mine, I don’t believe in them nor do I associate myself with such opinions.
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This is Part I: Some of the stereotype known about Ikhwanis’, Salafis’, and Sufis’

I asked a few people (this is not a scientific poll) When you hear the term Ikhwani/Salafi/Sufi.. whats the first thing that comes to your mind?

Here are answers that I got (from the highest picked answer to the lowest):
Ikhwanis:
- Egypt
- MAS (Muslim American Society)
- I don’t know what that means.
- Liberals
- Control freaks
- Good Fundraisers
- Those who don’t care about the teaching Islamic sciences just politics
- Syed Qutb
- Ikhwa…who?

Salafis
- Niqabis
- People with long beard
- Saudi Arabia
- Quran Sunnah
- AlMaghrib
- Mean people
- Salafitalk website
- People who call others Kafir
- Roll up pants
- Haraaaaaaam people
- Arrogant people
- Wahabis
- The Anti “sufi”
- University of Madina

Sufis
- Twirling Dervishes (over 50% of the people asked answered with this answer)
- Hamza Yusuf
- Zaytuna/Sunni path
- Spirituality
- Misunderstood
- People dancing in circles
- Bid’ah in the rituals
- Sacredness of tombs of righteous Muslims
- Barelvis of Pakistani Origin
- i refuse to answer that one
- That Sufi kid in my Masjid

What interested me the most was that 100% of the people i asked didn’t mention the term Aqeedah nor Fiqh. This led me to believe that there are a few people who really care about the “aqeedah” differences between the three mentioned groups and that they shifted their focus to their superficial acts.

I must say, though some of the above terms have some truth in them, I find it insane that people can easily stereotype others to this extent.

Next post: Part II: Who are the Ikhwanis’
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9 Responses to “Who/what is an Ikhwani, Salafi, and Sufi – Part I”

  1. B Says:

    You should add:

    Salafi-Ikhwan

    Sufi-Ikhwan

  2. SaqibSaab Says:

    Good Fundraisers

    lol

  3. Observer Says:

    Just as a side note, the answers to the question weren’t necessarily what people actually “thought” of the terms.. but like the questions asked – the first thing that popped into our minds.

    Unfortunately the false stereotype does come to our minds first, mainly because it’s so overplayed, however that does not necessarily mean we BELIEVE them to be true.

  4. haytham Says:

    I agree with what you are saying.. but that doesn’t deny my conclusion… does it?!

  5. Observer Says:

    Nah nah, just pointing something out.

    The stereotypes still remain. I look forward to reading what all 3 are really about in your future posts inshaAllah.

  6. Who or what is an Ikhwani, Salafi, and Sufi - Part II « In Search for the Truth Says:

    [...] This is the second part of the a series titled Who or what is an Ikhwani, Salafi, and Sufi. To read part I please click here [...]

  7. ashraf Says:

    Remember Hadith about 3 mukhlikaat and munjibaat
    Looks like you Self admire yourself. and everybody is has a label. Remember also to do justice all time,

  8. Vazorhoornfer Says:

    It looks like you are a true specialist. Did ya study about the issue? hehe


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