Ibn Taymiyyah a Sufi really lol

A famous line of Arabic poetry states that "claims are like orphans until proofs are presented". This is case when we look to the claim that Ibn taymiyyah was a Sufi an odd claim indeed. The oddity of the claim is multi-faceted. First because it is often made by those who demonize Ibn Taymiyyah and present him as the ultimate example of an anthropomorphist anti-sufi. Secondly it is also amazing because The title sufi itself inherently ingendered with a plethora of often contradictory meanings. Is a sufi a follower of Ibn 'Arabi a pantheist and perenialist or is a sufi one who follows Al-Ghazzaali's path(s) or is a sufi someone who may not even view Islaam as a necessary prerequisite.

The following quote addresses perhaps the most quoted proof of Ibn taymiyyah's sufism-that he wore the khirqah.

قال شيخ الإسلام في الفتاوى [ 11 / 103 ] : ( قلت : لبس عمر للخرقة وإلباسه ولبس رسول الله  للخرقة وإلباسه يعرف كل من له أدنى معرفة انه كذب ) .


In the eleventh volume of his fataawaa on the 103rd page we find (I say; Umar having worn the khirqah and having adorned it on others or the messenger of Allaah having done the same is recognized as a lie by anyone with the lowest level of knowledge).