Islamic mysticism, also known as Sufism, focuses on the Quranic descriptions of special powers. It is a philosophical path where individuals attempt to connect with nature and experience the divine power of Allah. Those who adhere to Sufi beliefs are referred to as Sufis.
The term Sufi originates from the Arabic term ‘Suf’, meaning wool. According to Sufism, the Quran and Hadith hold hidden mystical meanings that are associated with the awareness of a single reality—referred to as wisdom or love. Sufism has gained immense popularity in India due to its mystical ideology and practices. The development of Sufism took place during the eighth and ninth centuries in three primary locations: Basra, Kufa, and Baghdad within Iraq.
The origin of Sufism can be identified in two regions - Balkh located in the Khorasan province of Persia and Egypt. The t
...eachings conveyed by Prophet Muhammad, who was bestowed with Quranic Revelation, are regarded as the basis of Sufism. Being the first master of Sufism, he communicated his knowledge orally to his disciples along with his unique grace or barakat (Armanios 1). Nizamuddin Auliya, a prominent Sufi saint, is commemorated through the Chisti order's shrine situated in India.
Hazrat Nizamuddin, also known as Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, has a shrine in Delhi which attracts Sufi followers from all corners of the world for Ziyarat. This refers to the act of visiting the saint’s grave for prayer so as to grant the soul peace.
The followers of Nizamuddin encompass multiple religions including Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, and Christian. Sufis held the conviction that praying to saints could not only bring them closer to God but also cure ailments. A tangible example of
this belief is the Baoli, a large well found on the shrine's premises, where the sick and devoted may bathe in the sanctified waters to receive the saint's blessings. This practice demonstrates Nizamuddin's continued spiritual presence according to Indo-Muslim faith which regards Muslim shrines as emanating a blessed quality beyond the saint's earthly existence (Saniotis 3).
According to popular belief, saints grant their devotees their wishes and bestow spiritual powers upon them. One of the most famous Sufi shrines is Hazrat Khwaja Garib Nawaz shrine located in Ajmer, India. Khwaja Garib Nawaz founded the chistiyyah order of Sufis in India and devotees visit his shrine daily to pay their respects and place flowers on his grave. It is customary for Sufis to visit Sufi saints' tombs to recite Surah Fateha, pray to God for the reward of recitations to the soul, and ask for blessings from the saint. As Dalrymple says, "Garib Nawaz [literally, 'The friend of the poor'] will reward us for our pains" (1).
For devotees seeking love from God, praying, chanting, and fasting are common practices. To attain help from a saint, individuals may recite Surah or Ayat. Sufis place great importance on music, poetry, and meditation as they believe it allows them to connect with God effortlessly through a saint. By praying and praising at such places, they hope to absorb the saint's blessings and purify themselves from their lower nature. Sufis aspire to establish a stronger bond with God and seek to align their will with His.
The Sufi pathway is one of love and involves separating oneself to enhance the fear and closeness to God. Sufis employ unique mystical powers to
provide assistance to those who are suffering. The practices they use to achieve awareness of God include Dhikr, Sama, Qawwalli, and Khalwa.
Dhikr is the act of remembering god through the recitation of his many names and the singing of hymns of praise. Sama or Sema, also known as listening, encompasses various forms of devotion such as music, poetry recitals, singing and holy dance. This practice elevates a person's consciousness and brings them closer to their faith.
The practice of Qawwalli is another Sufi tradition, consisting of devotional music that is commonly heard in India and certain other regions. Some Sufis believe that listening to Qawwalli music can reinforce their faith, as it is played within the confines of shrines (Saniotis 7).
Khalwa is essentially a form of retreat, guided by a sufi teacher, which allows individuals to focus on the divine nature of God. This practice draws inspiration from Prophet Muhammad, who retreated to a cave on Mount Hira to train with the angel Gabriel. By undertaking retreats, sufis are able to gain insights into spiritual matters and transmit enlightenment to their students, which helps them gain acceptance and support. In addition, sufis celebrate festivals like ‘Urs’ to mark the anniversary of important saint's death, and other festivals in India.
The Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti and the Urs of Nizamuddin Auliya are celebrated to commemorate the death anniversary of the saints. Among people of various communities, these two Urs are observed with various ceremonies and Qawwalli performances in honor of the saints. The highlight of the Urs is the placement of a new cloth sheet or chaddar on the saint's grave. (Dalrymple 2)
The Ghilaf,
which is a cloth featuring Quranic verses, is affixed permanently onto the saint's treasury. The shrine's tombs, mosques and pavilions are illuminated to enhance its beauty. Adherents lay roses on the saint's grave and perform qawwalli music in the shrine. There exist two primary Islamic sects: Sunnis and Shiites.
In Sunni Islam, Muslim believers follow four legal jurisprudence schools: Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hanbali. The oldest legal school is Hanafi. Although Shiite and Sunni have comparable laws, their hadiths vary. Sufis do not view Sufism as jurisprudence but instead follow Sufi orders according to Armanios. Wahhabis reject Sufism because they believe that all worship objects aside from Allah are untrue.
According to Bijlefeld (2), Sufis do not advocate for making offerings at the tombs of saints or playing music. Instead, they define a Sufi as a mystic who is permitted by the Quran and the Prophet, follows the guidance of a Sufi master and saints, and belongs to one of many Sufi orders. They engage in several meditation techniques, recite poetry, and appreciate music.
