Sufism in India – GK Notes

What is Sufism?

Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam. It is a way of living in Islam. It is also a path in Islam that is all about inner purification, love, and devotion to God. It is about inward searching to find God for spiritual enlightenment. Sufis follow Islam, but they also want a de­eper connection with God. They often used poetry, music, and dance to reach the divine truth of Islam and express their love for God. These helped the­m have pure souls and be­come enlightened.

This article talks about the “history of Sufism in India” (key points and GK) which is helpful for NCERT notes, UPSC prelims, and other competitive government job examinations.

Origin of Sufism

Scholars have differe­nt thoughts about the origin of Sufism in India. Some say it started with the Prophet Muhammad with the inne­r part of his teachings. While others say it emerged later as a reaction to the increasing attraction of people to the materialistic life in Islam. Either way, it was a mystical Islamic path that focused on love, self-reflection, and a deeper connection with God. Sufism originated in the early Islamic period within the Muslim community. According to some historians, Sufism started around the­ 8th century in the Middle East. Over time, Sufism spread all ove­r the Muslim world, like in Persia (now Iran), Ce­ntral Asia, North Africa, and later South Asia. Scholars also belie­ve that, it started as a separate movement during the Islamic Golden Age­ (8th-10th centuries).

The term “Sufi”

The term “Sufi” likely came from two Arabic words.

1. The Arabic word “suf,” means “wool.” The early followers of Sufism wore simple woolen garments and practiced asceticism and mysticism within Islam.
2. The word ‘Sufi‘ is derived from the Arabic word ‘Safa‘ which means clean, clear, and peaceful.

Info: Woolen-clad saints who gave liberal interpretations of the Holy Qur’an to the people and lived austere lives of holiness were called Sufis. They believed that God and soul are one and the same.

Development of Sufism in India

Sufi saints were divided into two main sects based on creed –

1. Ba-Sahara (those who followed Islamic law) and
2. Be-Sahara – also called ‘mast kalandar’ (those who were not bound to follow Islamic law but were more liberal).

Chisti and Suravardi Silsila were famous among them. Sufi saints lived in Khanqas. Khanqas were places where Sufis and disciples lived or gathered. These became symbols of education, culture and religious harmony. Sufis emphasized Tauba (repentance), Taubaful (faith in God), service to the poor, chastity and poverty.

Popular Sufi Terms:

Here’s a simpler table of important Sufi terms:

Sufi Silsila

Sufi Silsila is the spiritual lineage of Sufism. It shows the succession of spiritual teachers and their disciples. That begins with the Prophet Muhammad and ends with God. Each tariqa (Sufi order) has its own silsila. These Silsila were tracing the spiritual lineage of its leaders and guides. The Silsila is important as it shows the authenticity and legitimacy of the teachings within a specific Sufi order.

Sufis in India were divided into several sects or Silsila or orders. These were roughly twelve in number. Some of them were Chisti, Suravardi, Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Firdausi etc. The most important of these were the Chisti and Suravardi orders.

Chisti Order:

The founder of the Chisti order was Khwaja Abdal Chisti. The influence of the Chisti community spread to Ajmer, Delhi, Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and the Deccan. The Chistis believed in strict austerity and a life of poverty. They kept themselves away from the administrative system.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti [1142-1236 AD]

• Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti founded the Chisti community in India (established in 1192).
• Khwaja was known as Gharib Nawaz.
• Moinuddin was born in Parsia (1142) after the death of Prithviraj Chauhan (a few days later).
• Moinuddin came to India and settled in Ajmer.
• People from both Muslim and Hindu communities accepted his discipleship.
• He moved to Ajmer after living in Lahore and Delhi. Ajmer was a significant political hub at that time. Also, Ajmer already had a large Muslim community.
• His reputation grew even after he died around 1235 CE when Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq visited his tomb. After that Mahmud Khilji of Malwa built the mosque and dome in the 15th century.
• Mughal Emperor Akbar provided great support to the dargah.

Info: Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki raised the Chisti presence in Delhi (under the patronage of Iltutmish).

Fariduddin Ganjshakar

• He is also known as Baba Farīd or Shaykh Farid.
• He was a Punjabi Muslim preacher, poet, and mystic.
• His activities were focused on Hansi (Punjab ) and Ajodhan (Haryana).
• His philosophy was very generous and extensive. For that, some of his poems were finally included in the Sikhs’ Adi Granth.

Nizamuddin Auliya

• He came to India from Afghanistan.
• He was the founder of Chisti Nizami order in India.
• To spread the order, he had hundreds of followers (khalifa) who got Ijaza (khilafat) from him.
• He was revered by both Hindu and Muslim communities.
• He was known as ‘Mehbub-e-Ilahi’.
• He had different opinions from Mubarak Khalji and Ghiyasuddin Tughluq.

Other Chisti saints

Among other Sufis, Salim Chisti, Nasiruddin Chirag (Chirag-e-Delhi), Sheikh Hamiduddin and Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki were notable. Incidentally, after the death of Baba Farid, the Chisti community was divided into two parts – Nezamia & Sabiria.

Suhrawardi Silsila

• The founder of Surabardi Silsila was Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi in Baghdad.
• However, Bahauddin Zakariya is considered the real founder of this Silsila in India.
• Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria popularized this order in India, especially in the Punjab and Multan regions.
• Zakaria established a Khanqah in Multan. It was the headquarters of this Silsila.
• The most famous Sufis of this sect were Sheikh Shihabuddin and Hamiduddin Nagori.
• Iltutmis appointed Sheikh Bahauddin Zakaria as Sheikh-ul-Islam.
• A Suharwardi Sufi must have three basic qualities: property, knowledge, and hal (mystical enlightenment).
• Many of them were associated with the Sultan’s administrative department.
• They were also the patronage of Sultan’s court.
• Many of them had great positions and good relations with the state.
• This school of thought became popular and spread mainly in Sindh, Punjab and Multan regions.

Note: The main difference from the Chisti order was that the Suhrawardis did not believe in living a life of poverty.

Other Sufi Silsilas

Naqshbandi Silsila

• The founder of the Naqshbandi Silsila in India was Khwaja Baki Billah (in the latter part of Akbar’s reign).
• They were called “silent Sufis”, because they practiced silent meditation from the heart.
• Naqshbandi leaders can trace their roots to the prophet Muhammad through Abu Bakr.
• They did not believe that the relationship between man and God should be loved. Rather they believed that God was supreme and all the people were the slaves of God.
• They were also opposed to sama (religious music) and the tradition of making pilgrimages to the tombs of saints.
• They had 11 Naqshbandi principles.

Firdausi

• The founder of this Silsila was Sheikh Bahruddin.
• It was a branch of Suhrawardiyya silsila.
• It gained popularity during Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri’s era.
• The best saint of this lineage was Sheikh Garfuddin.
• Their main center was Bihar. It mainly flourished in Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal regions.

Qadiri Silsila

• Niamatullah Qadiri was the founder of this community in India.
• However, Syed Mohammad Jilani gave an organizational basis to this community.
• Mughal Emperor Dara was a follower of the Qadiri sect.

Shattariyya Order

• Shah Abdullah Sattar was the founder of the Shattariyya Order in India since the late 15th century.
• It was originated in Persia (Iran).
• Sheikh Mohammad Ghawth of Gwalior increased the popularity of this community.
• Tansen was a famous disciple of Sheikh Mohammad Ghawth.
• They had six fundamental principles.

Info: Among other Silsilas, Mahadaoi (Jaunpur) under the leadership of Syed Muhammad Mahadi and Roshnia founded by Mian Bayazid Ansari were important.

Reasons: Emergence of Sufism

Cast System of Hindu:

• The caste system and Apartheid of Hindu society hurt the sentiments of the lower-class people.
• This discrimination makes the lower class people protest and tilt toward Sufi Islam.
• The conservatives of Hinduism considered Muslims as an alternative for lower cast Hindu people.

Aggressive policies of the Sultan dynasty

• The reaction against priestly rule and love of culture in both religions was a common reason for Islamic movements and interpretations.
• In India apartheid, restricted lifestyle, caste and sectarianism created political chaos.
• Taking advantage of this internal weakness, Muslims fly the flag of Islam in this country.
• Sultan Mahmud’s depredations to spread Islam by instilling fear into Islam made the common people afraid.

Religious differences

• Hinduism’s pluralism and Islam’s monotheism are the main reasons for this difference.
• As a result of their opposition to paganism, Muslims became enemies of Hindus.
• Muslims used state power to try to convert Hindus.
• Hindus also became disgusted with the manners, customs, and food habits of the Muslims.

Info: Sufism arose out of love and devotion against religious conservatism and moral decadence in response to all the above factors. This doctrine helps in harmony between Hindus and Muslims.

Influences & Impact  of Sufism in India

1. Sufism has contributed significantly to the increase in stability, indigenous language literature, and devotional music in India by creating a harmonious medieval culture that is tolerant and appreciates non-Muslims.
2. Sufis’ renunciation and austere way of life attract a large number of people irrespective of caste and creed.
3. Through Sufism, Islam’s vision of universal brotherhood and social equality is revealed.
4. Influenced by the true ideology of Islam, the lower class, untouchable people of Hindu society adopted this religion. Sufi saints were thus able to Indianize Islam.
5. The Sufis emphasized preaching in the vernacular, thus making Hindi accessible to all.
6. Sufis opposed gambling and drinking alcohol (surapan). As a result, society is freed from these disorders.
7. Influenced by Sufism, Muslim rulers also felt that religious tolerance could be a real help in building an empire.

FAQs about Sufism