Ahmad Zarruq an Ideological Forefather of Hamza Yusuf and Nuh Keller

Ahmad Zarruq was born on the 7th June 1442 (846 of the Islamic calendar) and died in the year 1493 a.d.. He has had a great influence on what today is called Sufism especially in the western sphere of the Muslims world. Today that influence is continuing to spread into the western world at the hands of neo-sufi/ash'aris. Two of the most fervent proponents of his thought and philosophy are Nuh Ha Mim Keller and Hamza Yusuf.

They both have clarified this beyond a doubt. Nuh Ha Mim Keller has said describing him "One of the most renowned sheiks of the shaathili tariqa" and of his writings he stated that they " attest to their author's illumination in the spiritual way". Hamza Yusuf while giving a lecture at Stanford on the subject of sufism in islam directly following a lecture by Dr. Anne-Marie Schimmel, said "Sidi Ahmad Zarruq wrote a great book called the principles of Sufism in which he clarified traditional and orthodox Sufism...". This is more than enough for us to establish the high position in which they hold him and his works, and thus his philosophy and creed.

From this we also surmise that they hold his writings to be indicative of orthodox Sufism. So let the fair unbiased reader judge for himself what Ahmad Zarruq has said concerning himself and Sufism.

Ahmad Zarruq described himself in his poem, Al-mandhoomah 'alaa safeenati l-najaah as someone who has been given the "possession of the entire East and west", running affairs, "giving and taking souls", "bringing life to dead hearts", and more! After this self description he "offers" his help, saying:

وإن كنت في كرب وضيق ووحشة * فناد أيا زروق، آت بسرعة

And in case you are in a state of distress, depression, and estrangement, Then call out "O Zarruq", and I will come in haste.

Is this illumination of the spiritual path or the darkness of Shirk

Verily, all those whom you invoke beside God are but created beings like yourselves: invoke them, then, and let them answer your prayer - if what you claim is true!