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There is no difference between the positions of ulema and Sufi mystics on the issue of war or jihad. ‘Sufism’ on the whole is hardly outside the mainstream of normative Islam on this issue, as on others.
Let me dispel 4 myths about Islamic mysticism. The first myth is that there is a wide gap between the activities of the mystic khanqah and those of the scholarly madrasa (and that there is, thus, a vast difference between ‘Sufi’ Islam and normative/mainstream Sunni Islam) #Sufism
The 2nd myth is that mystics are ‘passive’, apolitical and withdrawn from the political affairs of their time. This is not true at all. In particular, check the activities of the Naqshbandis, Qadris and Chishtis. #Sufism
3rd myth is that mystics across the board are intrinsically ‘peaceful’ and opposed to armed jihad or warfare. Nothing can be farther from truth. Sufis have only refined the doctrine and Daw'a and Jihad is intrinsic to their teachings. It is a proselytising arm of Islam #Sufism
4th myth is that Islamic mysticism is a phenomenon particular to, or intrinsically more suited to, the South Asian environment as compared to other Islamic lands. This is also not true. There is little difference between Sufi orders in Central Asia/Arabia/Iran and India #Sufism
