Sufism has an illustrious history in India evolving for over 1000 years. Following the entrance of Islam in the early 700s, Sufi mystic traditions became more visible during the 10th and 11th centuries of the Delhi Sultanate. Sufi preachers, merchants and missionaries also settled in coastal Bengal and Gujarat through sea journey and trade. Various leaders of Sufi orders chartered the first organised activities to introduce localities to Islam through Sufism. Saint figures and mythical stories provided solace and inspiration to Hindu caste communities, often in rural villages of India.
THE SUFI MOVEMENT
The word ‘Sufi is derived from the word suf meaning wool, as Sufis wore garments of rough wool as a sign of poverty. The Arabic meaning of which is ‘purity’. Sufis were of two shades: Basara (who believed in Islamic laws) and Beshara (who did not believe in Islamic laws). The Eastern variety of Sufism is influenced by Vedantic philosophy.
NATURE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SUFIS
The Doctrine of the Wahadat-ul-Wujood, which was based on the Unity of Being and Universe, was followed by many Sufi sects and was helpful in bringing the Hindus closer to the Muslims. They believed in the purification of one’s inner self in order to attain lasting spiritual pleasure. They were humanistic in their teachings. Sufis used the language of the common people and this led to the evolution of Urdu in North India.
They also contributed to the development of Punjabi, Sindhi, Kashmiri, Gujarati, Bengali etc. Sufis opposed the ritualistic interpretation of Islam and criticised the various social evils succeeding at that time. They preached Islamic culture to common people in India and helped in bringing about Hindustani culture. In Sufi Khangahs (hospices), link between the pir (teacher) and the murid (disciples) was emphasised, which led to educational advancement of the society and Hindustani music in forms, such as Qawwalis, Taranas, Khayals evolved out of the Sufi style of the sama.
SUFI ORDERS
Most of the Sufi orders delivered in the Doctrine of Wahadat-ul-Wujood or Unity of Being, which is identified with the unity of the Haq and the Khalaq, that is the creator but, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi of Naqshbandi order propagated the Doctrine of Wahadat-ul-Shuhud, which identified the Haq and Khalaq as separate bodies.
Abul Fazl mentions fourteen Silsilas (orders) in Akbarnama. Prominent among them are the Chishtis, Suhrawardiyya, Qadiri, Naqshbandi, Roshaniya, Sultani, Mahadawi, Firdausi.
CHISHTI ORDER
The chishti order was introduced in India by Khwaja Muin-ud-din-Chishti, who came to India, alongwith Muhammed Ghori. Among his disciples were Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, in whose memory Qutub Minar was built and also Baba Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, who confined his activities to Hansi and Ajodhan.
Some of Baba Farid’s verses were later included in the Adi-Granth of the Sikhs. Other famous Chishti saints were Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi and Nasiruddin Chiragh-e-Delhi. The Sufi saints led a strict life and kept separated from the royal court and believed in spiritual exercises such as yoga and music. Musical recitations called sama was made popular by Chishtis to create a feeling of nearness to God.
SUHRAWARDIYYA ORDER
The founder of the Suhrawardiyya order was Abdul-Wahir Abu Najib as Suhrawardi (1168 AD), who was a disciple of Ahmad Ghazali. The teachings of Ahmad Ghazali led to the formation of this order. Unlike the Chishtis, they did not believe in leading a life of poverty and so accepted direct service of the state, holding important posts in the spiritual department.
They also did not believe in using music as an instrument to get near to God. Baha-ud-din Zakariya is another They also did not believe in using music as an instrument to get near to God. prominent saint of this order. Suhrawardiyya’s activities were confined largely to Punjab and Multan. Well-known saints of this order are Sheikh Shahabuddin Suhrawardi. Hamiduddin Nagori, Rukn-ud-din Abdul Fateh etc.
QADIRI ORDER
This order was founded by Abdul-Qadir Gilani (1166 AD). It is popular among the Muslims of South India. Sheikh Niamatullah was the first important Qadri to come to India. Nasir-ud-din Muhammad Jilani was the most important Qadri, who effectively organised the Qadiri order. This order was dominant in Sindh and Lahore. Shahjahan’s eldest son Dara Shikoh was a follower of the Qadiri order.
NAQSHBANDI ORDER
This order was founded by Baha-ud-din Naqshband Bukhari (1318-1389 AD). born in Bukhara. Mughal emperor Babur was a follower of Ubaidullah Ahrar who was a Naqshbandi. Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a contemporary of Akbar and Jahangir. He was against the liberal policies of Akbar which he criticise as un-Islamic. Sirhindi wanted to remove Hindu influences on Islam. He was also opposed to the Shias. His work Maktubat is compiled into three volumes called Durr-al- Ma’rifat, Noor-al-Khallaq and Ma’rifat- al-Haqa’iq, in which he systematised the doctrine of the Wahadat-ul-Wujood.
FIRDAUSI ORDER
This order was popular in Bihar. It was popularised by Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya, who was a disciple of Khwaja Nizamuddin Firdausi, prominent saints of this order were Badruddin Samarqandi and Sheikh Sharfuddin Maneri. They practiced arduous ascetic practices in forests and believed in the philosophy of Wahadat-ul-Wujood.
ROSHANIYA ORDER
This order was founded by Bayazid Ansari, also known as Pir Roshan, in the times of Akbar. He wrote a book called Khair-ul-Bayan.
This order was popular in the tribal areas of the North-West among the yakh, yousafzai, afridi and the hazarah tribes, who rose in rebellion against the Mughals in Akbar’s reign.
MAHDAVIA ORDER
This order was founded by Mullah Muhammad Mahdi in Jaunpur. He roamed about claiming that he was a Mahdi or liberator. He was opposed by the orthodox Muslims.
RISHI ORDER
The founder of the Muslim Rishi movement in Kashmir, Nur-ud-din Noorani (1377-1440 AD), sought to mould the pre-existing Rishi tradition, transforming it into a vehicle for the spread of Islam, using local institutions: and methods to make Islam more intelligible to the Kashmiris. He was known as Wali.
QALANDARIYA ORDER
Abu Ali Qalandar was a great mystic of this order. They were wandering N monks known as dervishes. They were celibates and lived in the Trans-Yamuna region and they did not like the life of the Khangahs.
SHATTARI ORDER
This order was introduced in India in the 15th century by Abdullah Shattari. Other prominent saints were Sharaf Wajihuddin of Gujarat and Shah Pir of Meerut. The saints of this order claimed direct contact with God.
EARLY SUFI SAINTS
- Rabia, a woman mystic of 8th century.
- Mansur-bin-Hallaj called himself Anal-haq (meaning, I am Allah).
- Al-Ghazali reconciled Islamic orthodoxy with mysticism.