Islamic scholars clarify Mufti's statements about Kunta-haji Kishiev

Allegations of the immortality and supernatural abilities of the Chechen preacher Kunta-haji Kishiev fit into the Sufi doctrine, but contradict the Orthodox Islam, Russian Islamic scholars have stated.

During the religious events on the Commemorate Day of Kunta-haji Kishiev, Salakh Mezhiev, the Mufti of Chechnya, stated that the Sheikh continued preaching Islam in the world. Some residents of Chechnya criticized the Mufti by saying that this statement is contrary to historical facts and Islamic norms, while the preacher's personality is largely mythologized.

Kishiev's immortality is not understood literally, Dmitry Mikulsky, an Islamic expert, has explained. "It means that after his death, Kishiev is able to appear in dreams to believers and help them by working miracles by the will of Allah," Mr Mikulsky believes.

Leonid Syukiyainen, another Islamic scholar, has pointed out that the issues of the righteous' the immortality or endowing them with divine attributes are contradictory to the orthodox Islamic doctrine, but are generally debatable in the Islamic discourse.

According to his observations, for Chechnya and many neighbouring regions, the Sufi traditions have become an organic part of their worldview.