The difference between Tariqah and Shari‘ah

A: Shari‘ah is the body of Laws which Allah revealed in His Books with which He sent His Messengers to mankind for them to follow as the way of worshipping Allah and drawing close to Him, pursuant to the orders, advice, and direction of their Messengers (peace be upon them all) to them.The approved Tariqah is the one adhering to this, i.e. The one conforming to the Law of Allah which He revealed to the last of His Messengers, Muhammad (peace be upon him). Allah says (what means): And verily, this (i.e. Allâh’s Commandments mentioned in the above two Verses 151 and 152) is My Straight Path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His Path. It is also the one conforming to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him): My Ummah (nation) will split into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in Hellfire except one.” It was asked, “Which will it be, O Messenger of Allah?” (Part No. 2; Page No. 220) He said, “Those who follow the very same (path) that I and my Companions follow.” This is the one within the Shari‘ah, whereas any other Tariqah, such as Sufi Tariqahs (Orders): Al-Tijaniyyah, Al-Naqshbandiyyah, and Al-Qadiriyyah, are all invented ways introduced into the religion that should be abandoned and should not be espoused as the path to Allah (Exalted be He).May Allah grant us success. Peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and companions!