Medieval India — Sufi Movement
1. Introduction to Sufism
Context: Sufism, the mystical dimension of Islam, emphasizes direct communion with divine reality through spiritual exercises and guidance from a spiritual master.
- Sufism, known as "tasawwuf" in Islamic texts, is the mystical dimension of Islam.
Main Principles of Sufism
- Direct communion with divine reality (Haqiqat) can be established by traversing the Sufi path (tariqa) only under the strict supervision of a shaikh, pir, or murshid.
- Disciple (murid) progressed through the 'stages' by practising spiritual exercises such as self-mortification, recollection of God's name to attain concentration (Zikr), and contemplation.
- The Sufis organised an impassioned musical recital (sama).
Major Sufi Orders in India
- There are many major and minor orders. Some of them were founded in India itself. The major orders are as follows:
- (1) Chishtiya order
- (2) Qadriya order
- (3) Suharwardiya order
- (4) Naqsh bandiya order
Key Features of Sufism:
- tasawwuf: Mystical dimension of Islam
- Haqiqat: Divine reality
- Tariqa: Sufi path
- Shaikh/Pir/Murshid: Spiritual guide
- Murid: Disciple
- Zikr: Recollection of God's name
- Sama: Impassioned musical recital
- tasawwuf: Mystical dimension of Islam
- Haqiqat: Divine reality
- Tariqa: Sufi path
- Shaikh/Pir/Murshid: Spiritual guide
- Murid: Disciple
- Zikr: Recollection of God's name
- Sama: Impassioned musical recital
2. Major Teachers of the Chishti Silsila
Context: The Chishti order was one of the most influential Sufi orders in India, with saints like Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya spreading the message of love and tolerance.
| Sufi Saint | Important Points | Location of Dargah | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaikh Muinuddin Sijzi / Moinuddin Chishti | Came to India at the time of the Ghori conquest | Ajmer (Rajasthan) | 1143–1235 |
| Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki | Qutb Minar is dedicated to him | Delhi | 1173–1235 |
| Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar / Baba Farid | Guru Granth Sahib includes hymns written by him | Ajodhan (Pakistan) | 1178–1271 |
| Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya | Witnessed the reign of seven successive Sultans of Delhi | Delhi | 1238-1325 |
| Shaikh Nasiruddin Chiragh-i Dehlavi | Also known as Roshan Chirag-e-Delhi or 'illuminated lamp of Delhi' | Delhi | 1274–1337 |
Knowledge Nugget
Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) was one of the most revered Sufi saints of the Chishti order. He witnessed the reign of seven successive Sultans of Delhi and was known for his philosophy of "Sulh-i-Kul" (peace with all). His dargah in Delhi remains a popular pilgrimage site for people of all faiths.
Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) was one of the most revered Sufi saints of the Chishti order. He witnessed the reign of seven successive Sultans of Delhi and was known for his philosophy of "Sulh-i-Kul" (peace with all). His dargah in Delhi remains a popular pilgrimage site for people of all faiths.
3. Other Sufi Orders
Context: Apart from the Chishti order, several other Sufi orders like Qadriya, Suharwardi, and Naqshbandi established themselves in India, each with distinct principles and practices.
Qadriya Order
- Founder: Abdul Qadir Jilani (migrated into India from the Persio-Arab land); Shah Namatullah was another saint associated with it.
- Most of its followers, therefore, were staunch supporters of the very controversial theory of the unity of existence, Wahdat-ul Wujood.
- Urdu poets Hasrat Mohani and Muhammad Iqbal were associated with this order.
Suharwardi Order
- Founder: Sheikh Shahabuddin Suharwardi Maqtul. He introduced the doctrine of light (Nur) into Sufism.
- Bahauddin Zakarya, a contemporary of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, was the most important Sufi of the Suharwardi order in India.
- Unlike the Chishti saints, the Suharwardis considered the accumulation of wealth indispensable to offer better services to humanity.
Naqshbandi Order
- Founder: Khwaja Baha-ul-din Naqshband. Popularised by Khawja Naseer-ul-din Ubaidullah Ahrar.
- The Naqshbandi order was introduced in India with the invasion of Babur.
- Naqshbandi order was less tolerant as compared to the Chishties, Qadries, and Suhawardies.
- The early Nakshbandies were inclined towards Wahadata-ul-Wadjood, the unity of existence, and the theory of Ibnul-Arabi.
- Later on, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi propounded another theory known as the unity of appearance, Wahadul-ul-Shahood.
Major Sufi Orders in India:
- Chishtiya: Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya; emphasis on love and tolerance
- Qadriya: Abdul Qadir Jilani; Wahdat-ul Wujood; associated with Hasrat Mohani and Iqbal
- Suharwardiya: Shahabuddin Suharwardi; doctrine of light (Nur); wealth accumulation
- Naqshbandiya: Baha-ul-din Naqshband; introduced by Babur; less tolerant; Ahmad Sirhindi
- Chishtiya: Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya; emphasis on love and tolerance
- Qadriya: Abdul Qadir Jilani; Wahdat-ul Wujood; associated with Hasrat Mohani and Iqbal
- Suharwardiya: Shahabuddin Suharwardi; doctrine of light (Nur); wealth accumulation
- Naqshbandiya: Baha-ul-din Naqshband; introduced by Babur; less tolerant; Ahmad Sirhindi
4. Summary: Sufi Orders and Their Key Features
| Order | Founder | Key Features | Associated Saints/Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chishtiya | Moinuddin Chishti | Love, tolerance, sama (musical recital) | Nizamuddin Auliya, Baba Farid, Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki |
| Qadriya | Abdul Qadir Jilani | Wahdat-ul Wujood; unity of existence | Hasrat Mohani, Muhammad Iqbal |
| Suharwardiya | Shahabuddin Suharwardi Maqtul | Doctrine of light (Nur); wealth accumulation | Bahauddin Zakarya |
| Naqshbandiya | Baha-ul-din Naqshband | Less tolerant; introduced by Babur; Wahadul-ul-Shahood (Ahmad Sirhindi) | Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi |
Key Takeaways for UPSC
- Sufism: Mystical dimension of Islam; known as "tasawwuf"
- Chishti Order: Moinuddin Chishti (Ajmer); Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi); Baba Farid (Ajodhan)
- Qadriya Order: Abdul Qadir Jilani; Wahdat-ul Wujood; Hasrat Mohani, Muhammad Iqbal
- Suharwardi Order: Shahabuddin Suharwardi; doctrine of light (Nur); Bahauddin Zakarya
- Naqshbandi Order: Baha-ul-din Naqshband; introduced by Babur; Ahmad Sirhindi (Wahadul-ul-Shahood)
- Key Terms: Tariqa (Sufi path), Murid (disciple), Zikr (recollection), Sama (musical recital)
High-Yield Interactive UPSC Quiz (Chapter 8 Focus)
Q1. The mystical dimension of Islam is known as:
Correct Answer: C. Sufism, known as "tasawwuf" in Islamic texts, is the mystical dimension of Islam.
Q2. The Sufi path is known as:
Correct Answer: B. The Sufi path is known as Tariqa. It is traversed under the strict supervision of a shaikh, pir, or murshid.
Q3. The Chishti Sufi saint whose dargah is located in Ajmer is:
Correct Answer: C. Moinuddin Chishti's dargah is located in Ajmer, Rajasthan. He came to India at the time of the Ghori conquest (1143-1235 AD).
Q4. Qutb Minar in Delhi is dedicated to which Chishti saint?
Correct Answer: B. Qutb Minar is dedicated to Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. He was a prominent Chishti saint of the Delhi region.
Q5. Which Sufi saint's hymns are included in the Guru Granth Sahib?
Correct Answer: B. Shaikh Fariduddin Ganj-i Shakar, also known as Baba Farid, wrote hymns that are included in the Guru Granth Sahib. His dargah is located in Ajodhan, Pakistan.
Q6. The Sufi saint who witnessed the reign of seven successive Sultans of Delhi was:
Correct Answer: C. Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya (1238-1325) witnessed the reign of seven successive Sultans of Delhi. He was one of the most revered Sufi saints of the Chishti order.
Q7. The Naqshbandi order was introduced in India by:
Correct Answer: B. The Naqshbandi order was introduced in India with the invasion of Babur. It was less tolerant compared to other Sufi orders.
Q8. The theory of Wahdat-ul Wujood (unity of existence) is associated with which Sufi order?
Correct Answer: B. The Qadriya order was associated with the theory of Wahdat-ul Wujood (unity of existence). Its followers were staunch supporters of this controversial theory.
Q9. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi propounded the theory of:
Correct Answer: B. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi propounded the theory of Wahadul-ul-Shahood (unity of appearance), which was a later development in the Naqshbandi order.
Q10. The Suharwardi order introduced the doctrine of light into Sufism. This doctrine is known as:
Correct Answer: C. The Suharwardi order, founded by Sheikh Shahabuddin Suharwardi Maqtul, introduced the doctrine of light (Nur) into Sufism. Bahauddin Zakarya was its most important Sufi in India.