Assalam alaykum,

May I please comment on the question raised above, and say that Sufism or Tassawuf is NOT a bidd'a. Granted, that at the time when the Prophet, Sallallahu alaihi Wasallam, was alive the term ''sufism' or 'Tassawuf' was not known; but the ESSENCE of it is PART AND PARCEL of the religion of Islam. The purpose of sufism/tassawuf is to purify the heart from all kinds of bad desires/inclinations, and the dirtness that accumulates upon it due to sin(s)...decorate the heart with good behaviour and good manners that are DEMANDED by the Qur'an and Sunnah...or, if you like to develop that state of IHSAN, ZUHD and TAQWA.

These virtues were naturally practiced by the companions (sahaba) of the Prophet, sallallahu alaihi wasallam, because they were in the company of the prophet, sallallahu alaihi wasallam, and those state of perfection they were in was a direct result of that association. After the SAHABA left the planet earth, schools sprang up to teach ilm at-Taqwa, ilm al Wara, ilm al-Ihsan, ilm az-Zuhd, and these matters were combinedunder the main displine of sufism. A careful study of both the Quran and Hadith Nabiyy can establish basis for all this.

Wallahu a'alam.