What is the response to the objection of some brothers regarding the previous fatwas, as they believe that Sufism is based on the Qur’an and Sunnah and that it fulfills the role of spiritual purification, and that many fatwas issue rulings against ancient Sufis who deviated from the religion?

The early Sufis were keen on adhering to the Sunnah and following the Salaf, whereas the later ones distorted, altered, and innovated. Sheikh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah mentioned that the early Sufi masters did not deviate from the fundamentals of Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah in major issues, although there are some weak positions and flimsy evidence in their discourse, because everyone's statements can be accepted or rejected except for the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him. The imams of the madhhabs condemned Sufism and warned against it. Imam Malik, Al-Shafi'i, and Ahmad ibn Hanbal have statements indicating their condemnation of Sufi orders, while Imam Abu Hanifa lived before the emergence of the innovation of Sufism, which harmed the people of Islam.