Sufism

Sufism is a metaphysical and mystical branch of Islamic culture that focuses on personal religious experience as the central tenet. It has attained great respect among Muslims, Hindus and Jain adherents. The Sufi orders came about during the time of Prophet Muhammad when Muslims had to defend themselves from those who opposed their new faith. Sufism has influenced many fields such as music, poetry and architecture. The Deccan plateau witnessed the development of Sufism during the reign of the Tughlaq dynasty in the 14th century. Various Muslim and non-Muslim rulers patronised Sufis. The Sufis were looked upon as holy men who had divine powers.

Sufism:

Sufism is a mystical form of Islam that focuses on personal religious experience and is considered a direct, experiential understanding of God. They were also respected for their spiritual guidance, which was viewed as superior to that provided by orthodox ulama or the clergy members of Islam.

Origin

Sufism originated in the deserts of Arabia in the 7th century as a movement of ascetics who were struggling to preserve the essence of Islam. The term “Sufi” is derived from the Arabic word “suf”, which means “wool”, and was chosen by its adherents because they sought enlightenment through ascetic practices such as perpetual prayer, fasting and meditation while wearing wool garments. Sufis believe that it is possible to reach the divine truth of Islam only through personal enlightenment and not by following the dogmas of religious scholars.

The word “Sufi” refers to one who follows the path of Sufism. Sufis are called “whirling dervishes” in some Islamic traditions because of their characteristic spinning prayer.

Sufism today faces opposition from those who cite Ayatollah Khomeini’s fatwa against Sufis in Iran and condemn Sufism as a form of heresy. Although these groups are small, they still threaten the mystical movement.

Sufi orders are present in many countries, including India, Pakistan, Indonesia and Turkey.

Sufism in India:

In the Indian subcontinent, Sufism was often associated with non-conformist Islamic sects that offered an alternative to orthodox Islam from the 12th century onward. Many Sufi poets and writers have produced works by combining Islam with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

India’s first great Sufi poet was Amir Khusro (1253-1325), who lived during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughlaq. Some scholars believe that Khusro was influenced by Hindu mysticism. One of his most famous works is “Miftah-ul-Qulub” (The Key to Hearts). This work elaborates on the Sufi concept of love and has become a Sufi classic. Khusro is also known for his other works, “Zohar-ut-Shab” (The Splendour of Night) and “Tazkira” (Biography).

Another important figure in the history of Sufism in India was Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti (d. 1236), who founded the Chisti order. He was a Sufi saint who spent most of his life in Ajmer and was known for piety and devotion. He was the spiritual counsellor of Muhammad bin Tughlaq, ruler of Delhi (r. 1325-1351).

After the death of Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, whom many considered to be a saint, another important Sufi saint emerged: Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (d. 1265). He was a popular Sufi saint who lived many years in India. He gained many followers because of his piety and devotion and is known to have written several Sufi poems.

Sufism in Deccan plateau: 

Some of India’s most important Sufi saints came from the Deccan region. For example, Hazrat Amir Khusrau (d. 1289) and Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (d. 1325) were born in this region. Even today, Sufism is popular in the Deccan Plateau. Many dervishes and Sufi orders here continue to practice their mystical traditions and preach Islam among common Muslims. Sufism in the Deccan Plateau combines Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism.

Sufism in the Tughlaq dynasty:

 After the Mongol invasions, the Tughlaq Dynasty was an important Muslim dynasty in India. Some of the most important Muslim rulers of this dynasty were Ulhas Shah, Muhammad bin Tughluq, Jalaluddin Muhammad Shah and Iltutmish.

The most famous Sufi of the Tughlaq dynasty was Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya (d. 1325). He was born in Delhi, where his tomb is still very popular among Muslims. 

Sufism in Muslim dynasties in north India: 

Sufism played an important role in four Islamic dynasties that ruled north India. The first was the Lodhi Dynasty, founded by Babur (d. 1526) after he overthrew the Tughlaq Dynasty. The Lodhi Dynasty ruled through its greatest ruler, Akbar (1556–1605), and it was during his reign that Sufism became very popular. Many of its rulers followed the Naqshbandi Sufi order, and their courts were very popular with Sufis.

Conclusion: 

Sufism is a sect of Islam that has had a significant influence on the practice of Islam in India. Sufism is one of the main reasons Indian Muslims have such a different, syncretic brand of Islam than those in the Middle East, who usually follow a more orthodox line. The many Sufi practices and beliefs still practised today in north India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh are direct descendants of Sufism. Sufism in India today traces its ancestry back to the Sufis of the Deccan plateau region. For over seven centuries, the Sufi influence was a prominent feature of the Indian subcontinent.