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Sufism in India - Sufi Movement
Social Formation of Pre modern india (NN34)
Mahatma Gandhi University
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Sufism
Sufi movement was aroused by the influence of Hinduism on Islam. Sufism is an endeavour of individual Muslims to realise in their personal experience, the living presence of Allah. The aim of Sufi movement was to establish a direct communication between God and humans through personal experience of mystery. Sufism has borrowed ideas from Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism. It is essentially a religion of love without a creed or dogma.
Emergence
According to A L Srivatsava, “Sufism was profoundly influenced by Hindu thought, beliefs and practices”. The Sufis accepted the concept of loving God and the relation between God and soul. They were greatly influenced by the doctrine of non-violence and pacifism preached by Buddhism. Ascetic practices like self-torture and starvation of the body were borrowed from Hinduism and Budhhism.
The word ‘sufi’ is emerged from the word ‘safa’ meaning pure. The sufi saints strongly advocated a life of purity and renunciation.
Characteristics
The centre of Muslim Sufis named ‘Khanquah’ was the monastic organization of Sufis. Saints, visitors and disciples lived together in these Khanquah and provides their services to humanity. Sufism emphasises that union with God helps everyone to become pure. The chief intention of
Sufism was to maintain an emotional communication with God. Their chief motto was service to humanity. They upheld non-violence, dharma, simple living and vegetarianism. A large number of Hindus converted to Islam due to the influence of Sufism. They used common people’s language to preach their ideas.
Abul Hamid-dal Ghazali was one of the greatest Sufi theologist and philosopher. His teachings inspired the people a lot. Rabia of Basra was another great Sufi saint. Also she was the greatest women Sufi saint. She viewed that love of God means love everyone. Abudulla at Muhasibi preached Sufi principles by using the gospel of Christ.
Sufi Orders
The chief Indian Sufi orders were known as Chishti or Suhrawardy. Khwaja Abdul Chishti was the founder of Chishti order. This order was brought to India by Khwaja Muin-ud-chishti in1141 AD. He was an able discple of Abdul Chishti. His chief disciples were Shaikh Hamind-ud-din and Shaikh Qutab-ud-din Hakhtiyar.
Another great Sufi saints was Shaikh Farid and Shaikh Nzam-ud-din Auliya. Shaikh Nzam Auliya viewed realisation of God through the service of humanity was the chief aim of life and Chishti order.
Suhrawardi Order was founded by Shaikh Shihab-ud-din Suhrawardi of Bagdad in the 12th century. It was started in the north western India. Hamiduddin Nagaury and Shaikh Bahauddin Zakariya Suhrawardi were the chief Suhrawardi saints.
Contribution of Sufism
Sufism in India - Sufi Movement
Course: Social Formation of Pre modern india (NN34)
University: Mahatma Gandhi University
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Students also viewed
- Foreign Accounts on Ancient Indian History (3 files merged)
- Principlesofbusinessmanagement-1
- Database Systems Models,Languages,Design and Application Programming-3
- Database Systems Models,Languages,Design and Application Programming-27
- Council Of Architecture - Scale of charges
- C First Semester Notes-1-pages-221-232