Firstly, The WHOLE Idea of a "Retreat" is not from Islam.
Islam is a way of life and is Complete. A Muslim living his life upon the Quran and the Sunnah should find the best spiritual feeling than any other way.
If we want to go to the countryside and marvel at ALlah's creation and remember Allah, that is fine. We can do that.
But, sitting in groups, chanting, and believing in statements of Kufr will only lead us to hellfire.
The person incharge of that place is doing just that!! And he is teaching them very devious ideas.. The ideas of Wahdatul Wujood.
If you understood their explanation of the chanting, they basically said that they chant because God is part of them and that everyone can be part of God when they chant. - These are bad and sinful ideas which have no basis in Islam.
Chanting etc, (saying mantras over and over) has more to do with Hinduism and Buddhism than anything else.
There are a lot of problems with Sufism, and these are just some of them. And yes, I was very suprised when the woman asked the "Imam" if the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did these things, he said "I dont care". And then he has the ordasity to say that
he is on the authentic Islam. lol.
Imam Malik remarked: "That which was not religion at the time of the Messenger and his companions, may Allah be pleased with them all, is never to be religion today. He who introduces a Bid'ah (innovation) in the religion of Islam and deems it a good thing, claims by so doing that Muhammad (s.a.w) betrayed the Message."
very funny. I was really proud with the two sisters, mashaAllah. Sister Aisha and the other sister who was a barrister. They did not engage in these bidah, and stood firm alhamdulillah.
THe BBC, the Government and others love Sufis, they do not want people to learn about the True Islam. Either you will see these modernists and Sufis who teach rubbish, or you will see small group of loud mouth ignorants. Thats the sad reality of it.
SUFISM: The Deviated Path
The Prophet said: "The Jews and the Christians divided into seventy-two sects. And my ummah will divide into seventy-three (sects) – all of them will be in the Hellfire, except one." They (the Companions) asked: "Which one is that, O Messenger of Allaah SAWS?" He SAWS said: "They are the ones who are upon the same thing that I and my Companions are upon today (i.e. from beliefs and methodology)."
ANd the Prophet Said:
"Whoever innovates or accomodates an innovator, then upon him is the curse of Allaah, His angels and the whole of mankind."
(Reported by Bukhaaree, 12/41 and Muslim, 9/140)
Abdullaah bin Mas’ood reported, “Allaah’s Messenger (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) drew a line for us, then he said, “This is Allaah’s way.” Then he drew lines to the right and to the left and said, “These are differing ways, upon each of these ways is a devil (Shaytaan) calling to it.” Then he recited, “And this is My Straight Path, so follow it, and do not follow (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path.” (a-An’aam 6:153).” (Ahmad 1/435 and at-Tayaaleesee no. 244).
SO, How did that man say he doesnt Care what the Prophet did? Astaghfirullah, this just shows how astray they are..
As Muslims, we must Follow the Quran and the Sunnah with the Understanding of the Pious Predecessors..... This is in accordance with the Quran and the Hadith of the Prophet .
Following The Right Way
when we have this foundation of Quran and Sunnah, Allah will unite the Muslims and make us strong. This is something that the enemies of Islam never want to see happen.. So they always support those who contradict the true teachings of Islam. Astaghfirullah.
But, no matter what they do, the Muslims will always be successful.