FatwaPerlisCreed (Aqidah)
Fatwa Rabitah Sufiah
What is the ruling on the Sufi practice of rabitah, imagining the teacher's face while performing dhikr?
Short answer
The Perlis State Fatwa Committee ruled that rabitah, imagining the teacher's face during dhikr, is a deviant practice that can harm a person's life.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Perlis State Mufti Department
- Status
- Fatwa committee decision
- Series
- Himpunan Fatwa Negeri Perlis
- Topic
- Creed (Aqidah)
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
The Perlis State Fatwa Committee ruled that rabitah, imagining the teacher's face during dhikr, is a deviant practice that can harm a person's life. It differs from seeing a creation that naturally reminds one of Allah, because rabitah conjures an image in the mind based on a mistaken belief. It was never taught by the Prophet, the caliphs or the salaf, and it can replace remembrance of Allah with a created being, leading to shirk.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Hal ini merupakan bidaah dhalalah yang boleh membawa kepada kesyirikan.
Read the full fatwa on the Perlis website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Perlis State Mufti Department. “Fatwa Rabitah Sufiah”, date not stated. https://muftiperlis.gov.my/index.php/himpunan-fatwa-negeri/1134-fatwa-rabitah-sufiah. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/ruling-on-sufi-rabitah-imagining-teacher-face/