What is Shafafi Islam

Shafafi Islam (also known as Shafafism or Shafafiyya) is a branch of Islam. It holds the belief that religious clergy has corrupted Islam with pre-Islamic Arabian traditions, politics, and outdated Arabocentric interpretations.

Shafafi Muslims believe in one God and the Message (Quran), which was transmitted through Muhammad. Shafafis live by the guidance (rulings) of the Imam, whom God has gifted with the wisdom to interpret God’s Message.

Rulings
Tenets of Shafafi Islam
Rulings
Imam Shafafi

Differences between Sunni and Shafafi Islam

FeatureSunni IslamShafafi Islam
God“Allah” but Muhammad is also worshipped as an infallible superhuman being with his words taken as divine commandment.God.
ScriptureGod’s word (Quran) and Muhammad’s reported words/actions (Hadith or Sunnah) are considered divine scriptures from the two gods that Sunnis worship. Sunnis believe that God’s word (Quran) is incomplete and that God was not wise enough to create a perfect and complete holy book. They believe the Quran is insufficient without augmenting it with Hadith.Quran only.

The “hadith” are considered outdated interpretations and hearsay. The most recent and accurate interpretations of the Quran are rulings by Imam Shafafi.
Prayer
(“Salat”)		Synchronized yoga-style dance performed 5 times a day while whispering memorized Arabic words. All this is done by believers who are fortunate enough to live close to the Earth’s equator where prayer times make sense, while facing the Kaaba in Saudi Arabia while trying not to actually worship the Kaaba despite often standing on a prayer mat/rug with illustrations of the Kaaba on them. Night-shift jobs are thus impossible for Sunni muslims.Prayer is done in the heart, usually in the form of hope from or thankfulness to God. It is not memorized Arabic phrases.
FastingAvoiding food and water while hoping sunset is not at 11 PM, like it is in some places in the world.Avoiding bad habits (including unhealthy habits) and adopting good ones.
MarriageHighly ritualistic and usually requires paperwork, a man with a beard, dowry, and a party. The purpose of marriage is often financial or political in nature, as a result of social pressure, and supposed to be done without prior romantic relations of any kind.An implied or verbal “marital pact” between two consenting adult individuals. The purpose of marriage is partnership in life, sexual satisfaction, and procreation. No rituals, men with beards, or paperwork is required.
HomosexualityForbidden, except in cases where sex happens between a male master and a male slave.Allowed, as long as it’s consensual.
TransgenderismForbidden.Allowed, except for severe permanent surgical/hormonal damage to organs and functional body structures. Sex is defined as genetically assigned.
AlcoholForbidden.Allowed in moderation. Endangering own or other’s lives (e.g. drunk driving) is forbidden. It is also a sin if alcohol use causes a financial burden upon dependents.
ApostasyAny muslim who stops believing in Islam must be killed.Allowed. “There is no compulsion in religion” (Quran 2:256)
FoodOnly certain animals permitted, slaughtered in a zabiha halal manner. No pork. Food that has been dedicated to “other gods” is forbidden (haram) which implies that Sunnis believe in the existence of many gods.Encouraged to consume healthy food. Food that has been dedicated to “other gods” is not forbidden because there is only one God, according to Shafafi Islam.
Pilgrimage
(“Hajj”)		Must be done once in a lifetime in Makkah, Saudi Arabia performing rituals inspired by pre-Islamic pagans of the area to stimulate local economy.Attending a convention which is held in different locations every year. Being in the presence of Imam Shafafi is considered pilgrimage.
Charity
(“Zakat”)		2.5% on savings.2.5% on savings.
Sacrifice
(“Qurban”)		Must slaughter a sheep, goat, cow, or camel every year on Eid Al-Adha.Not required.
SlaveryAllowed.Not allowed.
Capital punishmentAllowed.Not allowed, unless it’s the law of the land.
Ritual cleaning
(“Wudu”)		With water only, preferably without drying.Wash hands with soap before eating. Daily bathing.
Cleaning after poopingMust use water.Must use water.
GamblingForbidden.Forbidden when the odds of winning are low and when gambling addiction causes detriment to one’s life.
Clothing
(“Hijab”)		Must cover everything except for face and hands, and especially the hair.Wear any clothing, according to culture, norms, needs, and wants.
FinanceInterest is forbidden. So, mortgages, credit cards, savings accounts, and loans are forbidden.Interest is allowed. It is a service fee for borrowing/lending money.
Cigarette smokingAllowed, except while fasting and performing worship rituals.Forbidden, as it is a highly addictive substance that is damaging to oneself and others.
MusicForbidden, except for religious-themed singing, adhan, singing words of the Quran, and certain bedouin percussion instruments.Allowed.
Pictures, Sculptures, and StatuesForbidden, except for pictures printed on prayer rugs and Islam themed media.Allowed.
ExtremismEncouraged.
Stricter rules are perceived as more religious and thus, more pious and worthy of greater reward.		Forbidden.
Creating stricter rules is worse than not following the rules as this is seen as undermining God.
RacismEncouraged in practice as Arabic culture and language is placed on a pedestal without which one cannot truly be close to God. Prayers are said in Arabic even though most Muslims don’t speak Arabic.Forbidden. Islam is universal and everyone, every culture, and every language has the same rights. Prayers can be said in any language.
ToleranceIntolerance for non-Muslims is encouraged in families and communities. Sunnis avoid being friends with, eating with, and taking part in activities with non-Muslims.Intolerance is forbidden. Shafafi muslims believe religion is a personal choice that every human has the right to make for themselves.
Laws / ShariahGod’s law above all. In other words, Sunni muslims believe their religious rules should be followed by everyone, including non-Muslims.Laws are to be secular and developed using a democratic method which protects the freedoms of minorities. A society must promote religious tolerance and not impose one religion over those who do not wish to prescribe to it.
Conversions (“Dawah”)Forced conversions are encouraged by way of marriage, bribery (placing financial burden on those who do not convert), fear, war, and incentives (e.g. all sins forgiven for new converts). Rewards are promised to those who convert others to Islam.Every person has the right to decide their religion by themselves. It is nobody else’s business except their own.
CircumcisionMandatory.
Some sects and cultures perform female genital mutilation (FGM).		Not mandatory.
FGM is strictly forbidden.
Other Holy ScripturesReading scriptures belonging to other religions (e.g. Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism) is highly discouraged.There is no harm in taking good wisdom or pleasure from reading any book.
Reciting QuranMust routinely recite the Quran in Arabic even though the vast majority of Muslims do not speak any Arabic. Sunnis are encouraged to memorize as many verses and prayers in the Arabic language as possible.Making Arabic language noises from your mouth does not make you pious. Understanding the Quran, does. Shafafi Muslims read (not just recite) the Quran in a language they understand.
Chanting/SingingChanting (with or without prayer beads) is encouraged. Singing the adhan, singing while reading the Quran or prayers is highly encouraged.Chanting and singing is not forbidden but it has no benefit. Deliberately making noise (i.e. adhan or takbir blasted from mosques) is a sin.
Make-upMake-up is forbidden except when worn for women’s husbands and close family. Nail-polish invalidates the state of purity required for worship.Make-up is allowed.
It is no different than clothes and grooming.
HealthWomen are discouraged from sports and healthy activities. Healthy diet and lifestyle is not encouraged or practiced. Mantras (reciting certain verses over and over) and magical treatment (drinking Zam-Zam water) is preferred to seeking professional medical treatment. Unhealthy lifestyle habits are discouraged and a healthy lifestyle is encouraged.
Evidence-based professional medical treatment is highly encouraged.
FeatureSunni IslamShafafi Islam

Rulings

  • Adhan

    Blasting adhan or other sounds from outdoor loudspeakers is a sin and in some countries, also a crime. The mainstream Muslim practice of using loudspeakers to blast adhan, prayers, and announcements from mosques can be classified as a type of SPAM (stupid, pointless, annoying message) as people are unable to opt-out of it. In the…

  • Statues and Pictures

    Statues and pictures are allowed in Shafafi Islam. Mainstream muslims have been told that if there is a painting, photograph, or statue, then people will start worshipping it instead of God. This makes no sense on multiple levels. The Kaaba in Mecca is said to be a directional “marker” that Muslims are supposed to pray…

  • Transgenderism

    Cross-dressing is not a sin in Shafafi Islam (and neither is Homosexuality). Clothing that is considered masculine in one place can be considered feminine in another. Imagine an Arab man wearing his traditional garb walking around in Europe where his clothing will be considered closer to a traditional woman’s dress. Even in one geographic location,…

  • Muhammad

    Mainstream Muslims worship Muhammad as an equal of God. They aggressively reject this notion and claim that they do not worship Muhammad but instead revere, respect, honor, and show love and devotion to him. Worship: to honor or show reverence for as a divine being or supernatural power. to regard with great or extravagant respect,…

  • Imam Shafafi

    According to Shafafi Islam, God sent the Message, the Holy Quran, to Prophet Muhammad, the first Imam. This Message inspired Prophet Muhammad to create rules and guidelines for his followers, the evidence of which is preserved in the hadiths. Subsequent Imams also issued additional rules and guidelines, often referred to as fatwas, edicts, or rulings.…

  • Hijab

    Hijab

    There is no concept of hijab in Shafafi Islam. People may wear whatever clothing they wish, according to their own choices, norms, and culture. There is no compulsion in Islam to dress like an Arab/bedouin person. Clothing is mentioned in the Quran: And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and guard their chastity,…

  • Homosexuality

    Homosexuals are allowed to enter into marital pacts (religious marriages) with one another and thus allowed to have sexual relations. However, everyone is bound by the legal system of their country. Some countries prohibit the practice and prohibit legal marriage between homosexuals. The only mention of homosexuality in the Quran is in the verses related…

  • Marriage

    In Shafafi Islam, marriage is viewed as a religious pact between a man and a woman, and it is not necessarily tied to legal marriage as recognized by the state. Couples who enter into a marital pact are considered married in the eyes of God, and sexual relations become permissible within the relationship. However, couples…

  • Alcohol

    Mainstream Sunni and Shi’a Muslims claim to avoid consuming, producing, selling, and transporting all alcohol however alcohol is contained in small quantities in all foods and many consumer products. Avoiding alcohol totally is impossible. Alcohol is also a chemistry term, therefore it is difficult to apply it in a religious context. Therefore, consumption of alcohol…

  • Tenets of Islam

    Tenets of Islam

    There are 7 tenets according to Shafafi Islam. Belief. Purity. Prayer. Fasting. Charity. Pilgrimage. Hygiene. Belief in God, the Message, and the Imam The Islamic creed (also known as Shahada) is, “There is no deity except God. The Quran is God’s message to the Imam and the Imam is God’s effector.” The term “God” is…

Recent Rulings