A Warning Against the Dance and Ecstasy of the Sufis
Imam Abu Bakr al-Turtushi al-Maliki :
The path of the Sufis is idleness, ignorance, and misguidance; Islam is nothing but the Book of Allah (Al-Quran) and the Sunnah of His Messenger.
As for dancing and ‘ecstatic swaying’ (tawajud), the first to innovate these were the followers of the Samaritan when he fashioned for them a golden calf—a physical body that made a lowing sound. They stood up to dance around it and sway in ecstasy; thus, it is the religion of the disbelievers and the worshippers of the calf.
As for the use of the reed flute, the first to adopt it were the heretics in order to distract the Muslims from the Book of Allah the Almighty.
Indeed, the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him and his family—used to sit with his companions in such a state of solemnity and dignity that it was as if birds were perched upon their heads.
It is therefore incumbent upon the Ruler and his deputies to prevent them from gathering in the mosques and elsewhere. It is not permissible for anyone who believes in Allah and the Last Day to attend their gatherings or to assist them in their falsehood.
This is the position of Malik, Abu Hanifa, ash-Shafi’i, Ahmad ibn Hanbal, and other imams of the Muslims.
مذهب الصوفية بطالة وجهالة وضلالة، وما الإسلام إلا كتاب الله وسنة رسوله، وأما الرقص والتواجد فأَوّل مَنْ أَحدثه أصحاب السامريّ لما اتخذ لهم عجلًا جسدًا له خوار، قاموا يرقصون حواليه ويتواجدون، فهو دين الكفار وعبّاد العجل. وأما القضيب فأوّل مَن اتخذه الزَّنادقة ليشغلوا به المسلمين عن كتابِ الله تعالى. وإنما كان يجلس النبي صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم مع أصحابه كأنما على رؤوسهم الطير من الوقار، فينبغي للسلطان ونوّابه أن يمنعهم من الحضور في المساجد وغيرها، ولا يحلّ لأَحد يؤمن بالله واليوم الآخر أن يحضر معهم، ولا يعينهم على باطلهم، هذا مذهب مالك وأبي حنيفة والشافعي وأحمد بن حنبل وغيرهم من أئمة المسلمين .
Source : Jami' li Ahkam Al-Quran by Al-Qurtubi 11/237-238