Is it permissible to attend events organized by a Sufi order and pay money to them, and to communicate with a religious scholar affiliated with them at the university, even though there are unclear matters in their methodology, such as their citing of Ibn Taymiyyah's fatwas while simultaneously considering Ibn Arabi a great scholar?

The ruling on communicating with a non-mahram man out of necessity is divided into two considerations:

1. Communication with a Non-Mahram Man: The general principle is not to communicate directly with him except out of a genuine necessity that cannot be compensated for, such as a religious or worldly need. One should move from communicating with an individual to communicating with an Islamic institution, and it is preferable for this to be through the women's branch if one exists. It is forbidden to be in seclusion with a non-mahram man, even for teaching prayer, and the meeting must be in a public place or in the presence of a female friend. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Beware of entering upon women," and "No man is alone with a woman but Satan is the third of them."

2. The State of the Institution and its Sufi Leanings: If the institution generally strives to adhere to the Sunnah and correctness, is keen on seeking the truth, and follows the people of knowledge, there is no harm in communicating with it, even if it commits some errors or holds a good opinion of some Sufis. This is because error in some matters does not undermine a group that strives for good. Allah may forgive those who err in matters of creed due to ignorance, provided that the evidence has not been established against them. The matter revolves around balancing the good and bad aspects when dealing with individuals or groups. In times when the Sunnah is weak, it may be difficult to follow a purely prescribed path, so one should not abandon existing good just because it is not perfect.

Conclusion: One must be wary of the temptation of mixing with a non-mahram man, avoid seclusion with him, and dispense with him through safe means if possible. If this group is the best in condition and most adhering to the Sunnah among the available Muslim groups, there is no harm in attending their gatherings and benefiting from what they offer, even if it requires spending some money for their activities, as long as goodness and safety generally prevail in their affairs.