So let me just say that for them to make the jungle their abode for a temporary period of time is not the same as Rehbaniyat (asceticism).
In Islam, this is known as 'uzla'
If adopting seclusion for a short period of time for the sole purpose of being alone was not permitted in Islam then why would Prophet Muhammad go to the cave of Hira?
Islam and Asceticism
What does 'la rehbaniya fil Islam' mean?
This means that Islam does not permit asceticism.
This question has been sent by Shaikh Shoaib.
'What does la rehbaniya fil Islam mean?'
When it comes to asceticism - and if you are a religious scholar, then pay close attention to this.
Asceticism does not only refer to shutting off all contacts with the world and secluding oneself.
Rather, [asceticism] is also a spiritual rank attained in Judaism.
The word [rehbaniyat] has come from 'rahib (rabbi)'.
The prerequisites in order to become a rabbi are known as asceticism.
The original word is rahib which has now been translated as rabbi.
But the original word was rahib
and it is the root word of rehbaniyat.
Secluding oneself from the world is simply one of the prerequisites of becoming a rabbi.
It's a prerequisite.
Islam does not support this. There are not rabbis in Islam.
A similar role is given to the religious scholars, spiritual dignitaries and spiritual guides in Islam.
The concept of rabbis is not to be found in Islam.
Muslims often mistake a very small aspect of asceticism, that of secluding oneself from the world, for its complete meaning.
I implore you to be just.
The method and prerequisites of becoming a rabbi are known as asceticism.
You cannot attain asceticism without becoming a rabbi first.
It is not possible to attain asceticism without becoming a rabbi.
It is not part of [Islam] either.
However, all the Sufis who made the jungles their abode for the purpose of self-negation and purification of the lower-self
in order to degrade them, the religious scholars issued verdicts against them by saying Islam does not permit asceticism.
So let me just say that for them to make the jungle their abode for a temporary period of time is not the same as Rehbaniyat (asceticism).
In Islam, this is known as 'uzla'
If adopting seclusion for a short period of time for the sole purpose of being alone was not permitted in Islam then why would Prophet Muhammad go to the cave of Hira?
Therefore, the incorrect explanation given about asceticism -
and the reason why it is incorrect is that those who made the jungle their abode for a short and specific period of time
were told they are wrong because Islam does not permit asceticism.
Whereas, the most respectable and authoritative Jurist of Islam in our eyes, Imam Abu Hanifa,
also adopted seclusion in the jungle subsequent to completion of religious training.
People would ask him what he seeks from the jungle when the madrassas taught him everything he knew?
Do you know his response?
He replied, 'I learnt exoteric knowledge from the madrassa but I leave for the jungle in order to learn about Ishq (rapturous love)'.
God's rapturous love is not taught in the madrassas but in the jungles.
So, Imam Abu Hanifa sequestered in the jungle.
Other than that, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani spent 40 years - 40 years! - in the jungles of Iraq.
He only returned to civilisation when God appointed him on duty in the world.
Asceticism does not just mean to shun the world, there are numerous other conditions.
Asceticism is attained once you fulfil all of the conditions.
Let's suppose you travel to Pakistan and stay there for 3 months and you intend to return,
then it cannot be said that you adopted seclusion in Pakistan for that time period.
None of the Sufis left for the jungles with the intention of not returning.
When they had achieved purification of the heart and negation of the lower-self and returned to the world upon God's command; they married, had children and earned a lawful livelihood.
They lived their lives in accordance with the customs of Prophet Muhammad.
They were required to adopt seclusion in order to complete the negation of the lower-self and this cannot be labelled as asceticism.
In order for it to be asceticism, one also has to be a rabbi, otherwise, being alone does not signify asceticism
if you adopt seclusion without becoming a rabbi (rahib) first, if you made the jungle a temporary abode,
whether that's for one day or 10 years because you did not leave to live there forever.