I recently read a blog post from Mere Islam defining what the writer viewed as “traditional Islam.” I’ve decided that he had a pretty good idea, and that I ought to also write such a piece. Many people, especially on Muslim Message, have wanted me to formulate my conception of Islam and to elaborate on my perception of “Muslim Unity” that I so adamantly promote.

Traditional Islam first must trace back to the divine source, which is Allah’s unchanged and inerrant book, al-Qur’an. The Qur’an is so certain in its purpose and yet so flexible and universal in its approach that it is sufficient for all people in all times to come.

There is a certain humanity, however, that must be exemplified if the Qur’an is to be properly understood and its precepts to be effectively carried to fruition. Allah gave us this exalted character (khuluqin ‘atheem), in the beloved Messenger of Allah, Muhammad, the seal of the Prophets (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). His sunnah must be preserved and taught, and no other lights existed in the Ummah’s darkest hours (fitnah, apostasy, tyranny, and materialism), except the Muhammadin Nur that was shouldered by the Prophet’s pure household (Ahlul-bayt).

So abundant is the knowledge they revealed, so marvelous is the example that they brought, and so monumental are the teachings they left, that even their enemies can find no fault in them and those who do not even call themselves their followers (shi’a) rush to claim them as their own.

Traditional Islam is both outward and inward, and true excellence (ihsan) resides in the awareness (or knowing God), called ‘irfan. The science of this awareness is called tasawwuf (Sufism), and any tree of knowledge that denies it is a tree that bears no fruit. The beauty of al-Islam manifests itself in this inner science, and it was only through Ahlul-bayt (may Allah sanctify them and bless them with His divine peace) that this divine secret light was transmitted through all traditional chains. Because of this, Sufism is today the great equalizer between all sects and schools of thought.

Traditional Islam is not found in the canonization of a madhhab nor in the culturalization of the husayniyah. To truly tap into the house of wisdom (bayt al-hikmah) that is the Messenger of Allah (and the divine Book that was sent with him), one must travel through its door (al-bab), Ahlul-bayt. It begins with love of these luminaries, but it must not stop at nominal love. To love them is to obey them, and to obey them is to emulate them. To emulate them is to achieve human perfection (ihsan).

This is the traditional Islam of Muhammad (Allah bless him and grant he and his family peace) and his household. It is a “school of thought” that predates time itself, for it was divinely ordained by Allah ta’ala, and it will be upheld and preserved, even unto the latter days, when Allah will raise up one from among the descendants of Fatimah (peace be upon her) who will fill the earth with justice and equality, just as it had previously been filled with injustice and tyranny.