Judaism, Christianity, and mainstream Islam are, in the Shafafi view, overly institutionalised, archaic, and weighed down by strange and unnecessary ritual.

This is an observation, not a grievance. We hold no hostility toward anyone practising them, and Shafafi Islam forbids intolerance absolutely. Religion is a personal choice that every human being has the right to make for themselves, and there is no compulsion in religion (Quran 2:256).

But the assessment stands: these are traditions in which the institution long ago became the point, and the accumulated ritual now sits between the believer and God rather than connecting them.

On mainstream Muslims

Our attitude is absolute pacifism and a genuine take-it-or-leave-it indifference.

We are not evangelising. We are not debating. We are not organising against anyone. We do not respond to criticism, and we do not seek converts.

Shafafism intends to remain a small philosophical minority, and we are content to wait — for the moment mainstream Muslims come to see for themselves that the tradition has aged badly and that a great deal of what it asks of them is simply silly.

Until then, they are free to keep practicing exactly as they are, and they should be left in peace to do it.

We will not be joining in.