المعنى الاصطلاحي

It is an Islamic movement that was influenced by Sufism. It was founded by Muhammad ibn ‘Ali as-Sanoosi al-Idrīsi, who passed away in 1859 AD.

الشرح المختصر

"As-Sanoosiyyah" is an Islamic reformatory movement that undertakes "da‘wah" (proselytization) activities. It was founded by Muhammad ibn ‘Ali as-Sanoosi (1276 AH/1859AF). It largely depends on the Qur’an and Sunnah as its sources, but it was influenced by Sufism and consequently fell into some polytheistic beliefs and superstitions. They developed a methodology aimed at refining the Muslims. It was founded in Libya and spread throughout much of North Africa, Sudan, Somalia, and some Muslim countries. It was initially influenced by the call of Muhammad ibn ‘Abdul Wahhāb, but soon became influenced by some Sufi concepts, which later on changed the course of his movement. In his book [As-Salsabeel Al-Mu‘een Fi At-Tarāi’q Al-Arba‘een: p. 104], As-Sanoosi spoke about men whom he calls the "men of the unseen" and about their ranks, and he explained through certain drawings how their places could be reached. He also spoke about the phases of "kashf" (spiritual unveiling), which is a well-known principle of Sufism (p. 88). In addition, he boosts in the same book (pp. 45-46) of his own chains of transmission of such "turuq" (pl. of "tareeqah", i.e. a Sufi order) that reach back to misguided Sufis such as Ibn ‘Arabi and Al-Hallāj. He also says in his book [Al-Manhal Ar-Rawiyy Ar-Rā"iq Fi Asāneed Al-‘Uloom wa Usool At-Tarā"iq: page 49]: "As for receiving knowledge from the Messenger of Allah, may Allah"s peace and blessings be upon him, and meeting with him after his death, whether in wakefulness or during sleep, it is something that occurred to the three Shaykhs comprising the chain of transmission (referring to his own Shaykhs)." He even says that they entirely relied on this as their sources of information and so on, underlining that this was a specific merit to the followers of "At-Tareeqah Al-Mahmoodiyyah". He mentions many other religious innovations that the Sufis fell in.

التعريف

An Islamic reformist Sufi movement started by shaykh Muhammad ibn ꜤAlī al-Sanūsī. It was started in Libya in the nineteenth century, and spread into north Africa and some other Muslim countries. It gives particular emphasis to acts of worship and practices asceticism. It advocates ijtihad and uses wise and sound admonition in presenting Islam to others. It shuns violence and focuses on work. It played a prominent role in resisting the Italian occupation of Libya.