I have to admit, at one time I was. Not only was he a “crazy Sufi shaikh”, deviating and inventing, opposed to the Sunnah, but even his name was weird (Ha Meem - what was that supposed to mean?).

But now I have come to know more of the reality of who he is. No one asked me to write this piece, and perhaps people (both who like him and don’t) may even be upset with me for writing, but I wanted to share this with you since so many people have a phobia of Shaikh Nuh Ha Meem Keller. (I’ve heard him referred to as “the Killer”). He’s supposed to be some monster of crazy deviations, etc. but I think if people met him or knew some things about him, they would be surprised (just like I think some Sufis who met those monstrous “Wahhabis” might feel if the person was a pretty normal Muslim who didn’t have to make takfeer of them and kill them on the spot).

I want to add I am not one of those um “deranged” fans who are like “oh my God, Shaikh Nuh!” which I would be lying if I didn’t say that is annoying (when it happens to anyone, not just this Shaikh). I straightforwardly asked him if I could join his tariqah for “learning purposes” and he was cool about it, may Allah reward him. So I guess what I’m trying to say is that I’m “hard to impress” and don’t really go “ga-ga” for anyone.

But I will say this - I think it is very hard to not respect Shaikh Nuh. He is knowledgable, mashallaah. But more than that is simply the way he “is”, his practices. He seems to do everything with thought, discipline, and ihsaan (in the sense of “in the best way”). I guess you just expect a lot from someone like that. And so far, I haven’t been disappointed.

First off, he has extreme respect for knowledge, for Islamic Law. He is not one of those “crazy shaikhs” that think they are above the Law (the Shari’ah) rather it’s the opposite - he takes the strictest opinion of all the schools for himself. The women who are in his presence must wear niqab, whether they wear it normally or not, so he will not see them. So the “crazy, liberal” image of the Sufi does not apply to him at all. Instead, he takes the hard road and has great respect for Allah’s Law.

Secondly, his appearance, his mannerisms, his demeanor is the closest to date that I have personally seen of someone in terms of resembling the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. I am not saying he IS the Prophet, or at his level, nor am I saying there couldn’t be someone better than him. Just personally he reminds me very strongly of someone who resembles him, the closest I have seen until now. He doesn’t laugh and joke, but can certainly smile or be kind to someone. He also enjoins discipline on himself and those around him. He occupies himself with rememberance of Allah (not talking about his personal life, since I don’t know of that, but meaning in his speech to others). He also works to support himself and is therefore not flaky.

I myself have always had an admiration of what I call “golden qualities”, qualities I feel are universally admirable (by themselves) in anyone. For example, working for yourself is more admirable than someone who does not work for themselves or is supported by others. Note that Islam does not necessarily REQUIRE these golden qualities (for example, it is ok to ask others for help etc.), but they are held up as lofty ideals that were achieved by some (the Sahaabiyaat, etc.). Shaikh Nuh simply seems to have many of those golden qualities, and Allah knows best.

Even his physical appearance, even if he is a “white guy” exudes wisdom and strength - he wears the turban, as is the Sunnah of our Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, modest, simple clothing which is neat, and he carries himself with dignity but is not lofty. Of course he has a long beard. And I hate to say it, but he’s not fat. The reason I say this is that there is a hadith mentioning it will be common in the last days and you somehow lose a tiny bit of respect for a scholar who seems to not eat in moderation. (The same as seeing an overweight doctor who tells you that you must monitor your eating habits.)

Anyway, I have always had respect for people higher than me in knowledge and practice - and Allah knows best every person’s internal status - but I have always sought them out. Even if I am with some sisters in a social gathering I am always looking for someone “better than me”, so I might be influenced by them to be better myself. I have the ability to “take the good and leave the bad” and so have been known to sit with sisters of “deviation” if I saw that there was something in terms of devotion to Allah I could gain from them. So I had a general respect for Shaikh Nuh before I got here, even if I disagreed with him on some things. Now that I have experienced being around him, I can say that that has only increased.

For example, when he sat with me a few minutes, answering a question, when the adhaan was called, he stopped and recited along with the du’aas. Now, you might not think that’s a big deal, but it was to me, for I have seen many scholars and speakers who do not pause, but continue talking, explaining, etc. I know that’s not “haraam” but still, it just raised the bar for me to see someone who had respect for the Sunnah to such a level, who wasn’t too rushed or eager to abide by it. I just expect better from him now, and that’s a good thing.

I know Shaikh Nuh is human and of course I don’t raise him to the level of the classical scholars, the Sahaabiyaat, let alone the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, nor am I saying he’s the only one like this or that he is “perfect” and without fault. But subhanallah, you just have to respect someone who seems to be so attached to Allah and His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, not just in his lectures, but in his life. There are few, if any, shuyookh that I have seen match that “total package”, who weren’t disappointing in one way or another.

So I urge anyone who cares to meet people who are more knowledgeable or devoted than them, to seek them out for it is one of the most beneficial things you can do. As ‘Umar radhi’allaahu ‘anhu said, in the dunya look to the one below you, so that you feel gratitude, and in the aakhirah look to the one above you, so you do not feel self-satisfied. Subhanallah, we do things the opposite way, keeping up with the Jones’s and feeling we are the best in our group of friends, or that we’re not “that bad” (and happy with that!). So ignore the myths, the lies, the attacks, even the annoying hype - look to benefit yourself in knowledge and devotion.

That is why, although I don’t believe it’s a must or even the only way to get to a lofty level with Allah, I have decided to inshallah join the tariqah, simply because as I said I want to learn about and experience the knowledge of tasawwuf, as well as the fact that I have the opportunity right now to be instructed by a teacher like Shaikh Nuh (who knows if I will have the opportunity later, as I first planned).

May Allah guide him, preserve him, bring through him much benefit for the Muslims, and grant him the status of those near to Allah…

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