Imam al-Shatibi on Sufis & Shari’a

Imam Abu Ishaq al-Shatibi al-Maliki (رحمة الله عليه):

“Many of the ignorant think that the Sufis are lax in conforming to Shari’a. Far be it from them to be attributed such a belief! The very first foundation of their path is the Sunna and the avoidance of what contravenes it!”

(Al-Shatibi, al-I’tisam min al-kutub, quoted in al-Muslim: Majallat al-‘Ashira al-Muhammadiyya (Dhul Qi’da 1373 AH).