RELIGION & THEOLOGY

Role of Sufi Tariqa in Society, their Power and their Influence

Role of Sufi Tariqa in Society, their Power and their Influence

Introduction

India has given birth to a number of free thinkers and great saints (Karamustafa, 2007, p.123). It is the country of most primitive perception and knowledge, where Sufism in its genuine spirit has blossomed from time immemorial. There were four major Sufi orders in India, that is Chishtiyya, Qadiriya, Suhurawadia and Naqshbandia, amongst which Chishtiyya Order was the leading tariqa to be acknowledged and recognized in India (Karamustafa, 2007, p.123). The Chsihti Tariqa is founded on the basis of love for all and hatred to none, alongside service to humankind which was intoduced by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti with the intention to achieve flourishing and successful spread of Islam in the country. This is the reason why still the representatives of this tariqa are working on the same route. Thus, great knowledge and astuteness was employed by Khwaja Saheb in presenting and preaching Islam to the common people of India (Karamustafa, 2007, p.124). He came up with a new approach and unified Islam with ordinary activities, in harmony with their culture, and presented other delightful activities to them, predominantly designed to drag them towards the religion of Islam. Albeit chanting and qawwal' commonly recognized as 'Sama' is not something new to Sufis where on earth they are, Khwaja Gharib Nawaaz also known as Sultan al-Hind, especially arranged and supported these concerts to detain and cast the heart of his addressees for believing in the Heavenly Message elegantly. Numerous Muslims as well as non-Muslims pay attention to the Sama wherever these types of functions are organized and gain spiritual benefits from it. It is by means of these systems that the Sufis, patiently and slowly, stimulate the Spiritual Heart, to adore Allah and His Most Beloved Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) bringing about those astray approaching the righteous path.

Discussion

The most well-known and influential Sufi orders in the Islamic religion is none other than Silsila-e-Chishtiyya. The name is derived from Chist, a small rural community in Afghanistan (Jaffer, 2013, p.64). Khawaja Abu Ishaq, the founder of the Chishtiyya Order also got settled here. This Silsila was brought to India by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at the closing stages of the eleventh century A.D. He organized its hub in Ajmer, spread this order all over in India and thus, in this way Chishtiyya Order brought about an influential change in the spiritual and pious life of the Muslims (Jaffer, 2013, p.64).

Basic Principles

Like all other conventional Sufi orders, the Chishti Order leaves off everything that is at conflict with the commands of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H) (Knysh, 2010, p.13).

Moreover this order stick to the emphasis on Tazkiya, which deals with the cleansing and sanitization of the heart from all disgusting and disconcerting qualities, the holding back of one's bottom desires and the chase of Ihsan that is perfection and beauty by means of acceptance of the divine ...