Shaikh Wahba al Zuhayli (Allah have mercy on him) a senior Syrian scholar and one of the best friends of sayyidi wa sanadi Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani (Allah protect and preserve him) recently passed away. May Allah forgive him, raise his status manifolds in hereafter and give sabr e jameel to all his admirers. Amin!

Shaikh Zuhayli (Allah have mercy on him) clarified:

“There are two types of Sufism: praiseworthy Sufism and blameworthy Sufism.

The praised is that which is in agreement with the Qur’an and sunnah. It means the healing of the soul and excellence in directing oneself to God as well as connecting with God which cannot happen without litanies based in the Qur’an and the example of the Prophet Muhammad.

The blamed is that which is in excess of this with its formalities and exaggerations such as the drum and the horn – which fall under deviant innovations. This is what (classical) Islamic legal scholars such as al-Qurtubi stated and it is also my position.

With deep regret, drums and horns have entered into our mosques during mawlid ceremonies, and this is what many scholars had called deviant and without sound foundation (in Islamic law), and this is my position. I love the people of Sufism who are moderate, those who are committed to the Qur’an and sunnah; and I hate (the Sufism) of heretical innovations and that which is alien to Islam, this is my methodology.”

Fatwa on Sufism via Wikipedia