Impact of Sufism during Circa 1150 CE--1750 CE-- I

Develop River like  generosity, Sun like bounty; And Earth like hospitality. ( Siyar-ul-Auliya; Khwaja Gharib Nawaz)

                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                       

Sufism, initially developed in circa 800-900 CE in Basra, Kufa,  Baghdad, Balkh of Persia & Egypt and passed on thru a chain of transmissions by Sufi Masters, taught their disciples ( Murids)--Self discipline, Trust in God, Self examination, Divine love and the love Relationship with God that may lead a disciple to intimate experience/ union with God. We shall cover this topic in two blogs , Blog 9 and Blog 10 under the Title" Impact of Sufism during circa 1150 CE-1750 CE-- I and II" respectively.

 While there were several prominent Sufi Ascetics spreading Spirituality, Ethical life and Dharma in general for masses as well as Rulers & high ups in society, a few prominent Indian Sufi Ascetics-- Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti ( 1141-1236 CE ), Nizamuddin Auliya ( 1238-1335 CE ), Amir Khosaru (1253 - 1325 CE) and Bulleh   Shah ( 1680-1757 CE ) and many other Sufi mystics / poets & philosophers of Chishtiya as well as other  orders/ lineage created enormous impact in society. They preached divine spirituality, cosmic harmony as well as love for Humanity as the Principal Dharma expressed in scores of poetry, books and musical delights.

Sufism is primarily known as a symbol of interfaith harmony, an intrinsically Indian concept---- where society manages to seamlessly absorb all religious hues from multitude of faiths, cultures and traditions. Sufi Ascetics ( known as Pirs),  preached " Sulh- e -Kul " ie peace to all, a formal approach to multiculturalism and inclusivity. Sufism got embedded into cultural fabric of Indian Society , prominently, during the rule of Delhi Sultanate of 10th - 11th centuries. It grew extensively during Bhakti movement in ideal harmony.

 Sufi shrines , popularly known as DARGAH, became places of worship and spreading of messages of Dharma/ Ethical living for all communities. While, one can elaborate a lot on the allied subjects of Sufism like " A Dervish ( some one treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path like Hindu Sadhus or Buddhist/ Jain Monks )", " Ziyarat (a ritual of visiting grave tombs of Sufi saints )", " Waqf ( for preserving Tombs and renovating these) & several others,we shall move forward to understand the impact of Sufism on Dharma/ Ethical Living in society by some of these Sufi saints at that time.

In this Blog 9, I am attempting to share a few highlights of the impact created on Dharma & Ethical Living during  circa 1100-1350 CE by the preaching s of  Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Nizamuddin Auliya, both of  Chishtiya order, who stressed on LOVE as a means of realizing God. For them, Love of God implied Love of Humanity. A few teachings of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (also known as Gharib Nawaz) , which demonstrate deep impact on Dharma & Ethical Living are;

• Allah blesses people who are Charitable, Generous and Compassionate.
• Prosperity departs from the home of one who tells a lie on oath and he is soon ruined.
• The best way of evading the FIRE OF HELL lies in feeding the hungry,providing water to the thirsty, removing the wants of the needy and befriending the miserable s.
• For a follower of the PATH OF TRUTH, it is worse than a sin to disdain or look down upon anyone.
• Patience is tested thru resignation to sorrow, sufferings and disaster without murmur.
• A sin committed does not harm an individual so much as looking down with contempt upon one's own fellow beings.
• One should forget the " I " -- status, power, wealth, wants and desires. One should forget his own existence, merge his self with Divine Reality and remember only Allah.
• He, indeed is a true devotee, blessed with love of God, who has these attributes--- RIVER LIKE CHARITY ( no limits & equally beneficial to all creatures of God ), SUN LIKE AFFECTION ( sunlight to all ) and EARTH LIKE HOSPITALITY ( loving embrace, open to all ).

Gharib Nawaz was an eminent scholar, writer and poet, who wrote several books on Dharma, Ethical living and Divine knowledge for the benefit of masses. Another prominent Indian Sufi Saint  Nizamuddin Auliya spread the message of Love of Humanity and Love of God among masses. Some of his key beliefs were;

• Unity of Mankind and shunning distinctions based on social, economical and religious status.
• Emphasis on Renunciation and complete trust in God.
• Helping the needy, feeding the hungry and being sympathetic even to oppressors. 

Nizamuddin Auliya was among the spiritual lineage of Indian Spiritual Sufi chain of Chishtiya order, beginning from Moinuddin Chishti, Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki, Fariduddin Masud ( Baba Farid) and Nizamuddin Auliya. Quoting him, " True wisdom is to renounce the world." Another translation of the thoughts of these Sufi saints is,

फरीद काले मैन्दे कपडे, काले मैन्दे वेष ।

गुनाह भरे मै फिरॉ, लोक कहे दरवेष ।।

Nizamuddin Aulia never visited courts of Delhi Sultanate. He advised his followers " One whose hands and feet moved at the royal buildings, could not have a soul of his own. The only way to love and adore Allah- Taala is to love Him for the sake of human beings and to love human beings for the sake of Allah-- Taala.
Well, one can go on writing endlessly on the philosophies and preaching s of these Sufi saints and scholars. They created enormous impact on the masses in that period in relation to Ethical practices as well as Dharma. Most of the rulers at that time were moved by their philosophies and had great regard for them, besides seeking their blessings. I can sum up this blog by a famous Sufi Quote,

Every Particle of Dust is a cup, wherein all the world can be seen,

Whosoever got any blessings, got it by generosity alone,

Sufi's breathe nothing but Love.