Concerning Shaykh Muhammad Khaleel Haraas' View on the Sufi Groups

What is the ruling in Islam upon the deviant sects (Tawaaif) such as the Sufis and others, and are they connected to the Quran and narrations of the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and who was the one who started them?

Answer: I do not understand what the questioner means by the word Tawaaif (sects). If he means by that the Sufi groups that each group has attributed to its founder saying Shaykh of such and such Tareeqah then all of these Tariqahs are those that Shaytaan has placed to misguide the people from the straight path of Allah. The path He has ordered to be followed. The path He made the Book and the Sunnah as a guide. And to inform us of the division and disagreements that occur amongst the ranks of the unified Ummah. Allah the Mighty & Majestic says:

{…And hold to the rope of Allah altogether and do not separate.} Soorah Aali ‘Imraan: 103

And He warns us not to follow the ways of those before us who were divided and differed.

{…And do not be like those who separated and differed after there came to them the clear evidences. They are those who will have a great punishment.} Soorah Aali ‘Imraan: 105

There is nothing in the Book of Allah or in the prophetic narrations of the Messenger of Allah-may the peace and blessings of Allah be upon him-that agrees with the existence of the likes of these sects. Rather what is contained in both bears witness against all of them regarding their deviance and innovation that opposes the Book and the Sunnah.

Shaykh Muhammad Khaleel Haraas 
Translated by Thomas Maldonado
Arabic source: http://fatawa.al-islam.com/Fatawa/Display.asp?FatwaID=1743&ParentID=500&Page=1

Translators Note: Regarding Shaykh Muhammad Khaleel Harraas
 
Shaykh Muhammad Amaan al-Jaamee said: “Shaykh Muhammad Khaleel Harraas was a man from the ‘Ulamaa of al-Azhar. He was an Ash’aree Sufi Philosopher. When he wanted to present a treatise for either his masters or doctorate he was asked to write a book refuting Shaykh-ul-Islaam Ibn Taymiyyah (rahimahullah) but he wanted to refute philosophy. So he gathered the books of Ibn Taymiyyah to refute them and when he had begun to read them within three months the truth was clarified for him regarding ‘Aqeedah. He then recanted from the Ash’aree creed and began to adhere to Ahl-us-Sunnah wal-Jamaa’ah, believing in their correct creed. He then changed his treatise to “the ‘Aqeedah of Ibn Taymiyyah the Salafi” switching it from “the Refutation upon him”.