Sufism Development and Its Importance

Sufism is one of the frequently asked topics in competitive exams like SSC, Railways, State PSC, etc. This topic is very important as many questions were asked in previous exams. In this article, we are going to discuss how Sufism developed and its importance. Students need to revise the topic regularly and fetch good marks in upcoming exams.

Sufism: An Introduction

• The word “Sufi” comes from another Arabic word “Sukh” which means wool. Muslim saints dressed in coarse wool were called Sufi saints. Sufism arrived in India with Muslim invaders in the 12th century and became popular in the 13th century.
  
• The Sufi’s main theme was his Wahdat-al-Wujud (Divine Unity).
  
• It was first developed in Iraq. The first Sufi saint was Begum Rabiah of Bashara, Iraq.
  
• The Sufi sect was also called Silsilas. The largest number of orders found in Afghanistan
  
• The Sufis were a group of religiously-minded people who turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest of the growing materialism of the caliphate as a religious and political institution.
  
• Sufism is inspired by Islam. 
  
• Sufis were deeply trained in Vedic philosophy and were in contact with the great sages and visionaries of India.
  
• Sufism emphasized living a simple life. Sufi saints preach in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and more.
  
• The Sufis were divided into his 12 Orders, each placed under a Sufi mystical saint such as Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Fariduddin Ganj-i-Shakar, and Nizamuddin Auliya.
  
• While orthodox Muslims rely on outward behaviour and blind adherence to religious rituals, Sufi saints seek inner purity.
  They criticized the dogmatic definitions and scholarly interpretations of the Quran and Sunnah (Tradition of the Prophets) adopted by theologians.
  
• Instead, they emphasized following God’s commandments, following the example of the Prophet Muhammad, who they considered to be a perfect human being, and seeking salvation through fervent devotion and love for God.  So the Sufis sought an interpretation of the Quran based on personal experience
  
• In Sufism, devotion is more important than fasting (Rosa) or prayer (Namaz). Sufis have bridged communal divisions, as evidenced by the veneration of Sufi saints among non-Muslims in the subcontinent. Sufism around the world and on the subcontinent had a depth of connection beyond caste, creed, and gender.

Liberal attitudes associated with Sufism

• They don’t believe in narrow social classifications such as caste
  
• They sought to awaken new self-confidence and redefine social and religious values.
  
• Their focus on social welfare led to the establishment of charity work and the opening of an orphanage and a women’s service centre.
  
• A notable contribution of the Sufis was their service to the poorer and oppressed segments of society. Nizamuddin Auliya was famous for giving gifts to those in need, regardless of religion or caste.
  
• At a time when madness ruled the struggle for political power, the Sufi saints reminded people of their moral obligations. In a world torn by strife and strife, they sought peace and harmony.
  
• Other ideas that Sufism emphasizes are meditation, good deeds, atonement for sins, performing prayers and pilgrimages, fasting, charity, and restraining passions through ascetic practices. 

Some of the main Sufi orders are:

1. Chisti 

• Founded by Sheikh Abdul Chisti.
  
• In India, it was introduced by Sheikh Moinuddin Chisti. His dargah is in Ajmer.
  
• Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki was a major disciple of his Moinuddin. he was dedicated to Iltutmush.
  
• Sheikh Nizamuddin was India’s most popular Sufi saint. Amir Khusrau, the greatest musician and literary giant, was also a disciple of Sheikh Nizamuddin.
  
• A system called Nadasampradaya, which means burying a disciple near the family, followed by this order.
  
• Sheikh Salim His Chisti was the last great saint of this order. He was highly respected by Akbar.
  
• The gymkhana was the hermitage of the Chisti saint outside the city
  

2. Suharawadi

• It was founded by Shihabuddin Shuhrawaldi
  
• Introduced to India by Bahauddin
  
• It was the richest order, but it quickly fell out of favour
  

3. Firadausia

• It was the only Sufi order established and developed in India.
  
• Founded by Sharafuddin and confined to Bihar
  
• He composed the literature of Maktubat and Mulfazat
  
• The above deals with the lives and teachings of Sufi saints
  

4. Qadri

• It was the most secular Sufi Sirsila
  
• Founded by Sheikh Jilani Kadri.
  
• Shah Jahan’s son Dara Shikoh obeyed this order
  

5. Naqshbandi

• It was founded by Sheikh Biqabullah
  
• Introduced to India by Sheikh Pirsai
  
• Sheikh Nyamtullah was the school’s greatest scholar
  
• It was the most conservative of the orders. Aurangzeb obeyed this order