Sufism is a mystical Islamic belief and practice in which Muslims seek to discover the truth of divine love and knowledge through direct personal encounters with God. Sufis were organised into different orders or silsila.' Abul Fazl's Ain-I – Akbari included a list of the Sufi groups in India, which included dozens of silsilas. The most major Sufi orders are the 'Chistiya,' 'Qadriya,' 'Naqsbandiya,' and 'Suhrawardiya.' The Silsilah were mostly headed by Sufi saints who lived in hospices ('Khanqahs') alongside their pupils. This article will explain Different Sufi Orders in India which will be helpful in Indian Art and Culture preparation for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Sufism

• Sufism is Islam's mystical branch. Sufis reflect the innermost tenets of Islam (tasawwuf).
• It emphasises self-awareness, tolerance, righteousness, and global love for all.
• The word derives from the Arabic word for wool (suf), which refers to the rough wool clothes worn by ascetics and even prophets.
• Sufism is sometimes traced back to the root word saf, which implies purity in Arabic.
• Due to the increasing materialism of the Caliphate, some religious individuals in Persia turned to asceticism at the beginning of 12 AD. They became known as 'Sufis.'
• The Sufis attempted to purify their inner selves via severe introspection and mental effort to erase even the tiniest trace of selfishness and achieve ikhlas, or absolute purity of intention and action.
• The mystics recognised that, in addition to knowledge of the external sciences, intuitive knowledge was required to obtain illumination to which reason has no access.
• For them, Dhawq, or direct "taste" of reality, was crucial.
• They opposed complex ceremonies but did not advocate extreme asceticism as the Bhakti saints did.

Different Sufi Orders in India

• Sufism in India embraced numerous indigenous Indian concepts such as yoga postures, music, and dance. Sufism has followers among both Muslims and Hindus.
• Sufi orders were divided into two categories:
  • Bashara - Followers of Islamic law.
  • Beshara - Those who were more open-minded.
• The Bashara Sufis obeyed Islamic law (i.e. Sharia), and the silsilah (continuity) established by one saint was carried on by his pupils.
• There were 12 of these silsilas. They include silsilas such as Chishti, Suhrawardi, Firdausi, Qadariya, and Naqshbandi, among others.
• Sharia was not accepted by the Be-shara. They were dubbed 'Mast qalandars/Malangs/Haidaris'. These wandering saints were popularly referred to as 'babas.' They didn't leave many written accounts.
• They usually practised very strict asceticism and defied or ignored the ceremonies.

Chishti Silsilah

• Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti created the Chishti order in India (1143-1223 AD). In 930 AD, it began in Chist, a little hamlet near Herat in Afghanistan.
• Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti founded his khanqah in Ajmer to help the lowest members of society.
• A khanqah or khaniqah, also known as a ribat - among other words – is a structure built expressly for Sufi brotherhood, or tariqa, gatherings, and is a location for spiritual retreat and character improvement.
• Other notable Chistis were :
• Farid-ud-din Ganj-i-Shakar (c.1175 – 1265 CE) - commonly known as Baba Farid. His operations were limited to Hansi and Ajodhan (in modern Haryana and the Punjab respectively).
• His perspective was so broad and humanistic that some of his words were later referenced in the Sikh Adi Granth.
• Nizamuddin Auliya (c. 1238 – 1325 CE) was a Muslim ruler who lived from 1238 to 1325 CE.
• Sheikh Burhanuddin Gharib - In the 13th century, he founded the Chisti order in the Deccan.
• Nawaz Muhammad Banda (Deccan city of Bijapur region).
• The Chistis lived a basic, austere existence and communicated with others in Hindawi, their native tongue.
• They had little involvement in converting people, yet numerous families and groups afterwards credited their conversions to the saints' "good intentions."
• These Sufi saints became famous by using musical recitations known as sama to generate a feeling of closeness to God.
• Nizamuddin Auliya practised yogic breathing techniques to the point where yogis dubbed him a Sidh, or "perfect" yogi.
• The Chishtis avoided the company of kings and nobles, preferring to stay out of state affairs.

Suhrawardi Silsilah

• The Suhrawardi order arrived in India at the same time as Chistis, although it was most active in Punjab and Multan.
• Shihabuddin Suhrawardi built this Sisila in Baghdad, and Bahauddin Zakariya established it in India.
• Unlike the Chishtis, the Suhrawardis received Sultans' upkeep subsidies and actively participated in politics.
• A Sufi, according to Suhrawardy, should have three qualities: property, knowledge, and hal (mystical enlightenment).
• They did not, however, embrace extreme austerity or self-mortification. They argued for a mix of ilm (scholarship) and mysticism.

Qadariya Silsilah

• During Mughal control, Sheikh Abdul Qadir and his sons, Sheikh Niamatullah, Mukhdum Muhammad Jilani, and Miyan Mir founded the Qadri silsila, which was popular in Punjab.
• Shah Badakhshani was another well-known saint of this order. This silsila was followed by Mughal princess Jahanara and her brother Dara Shiok.
• Qadri's believed in Wahdat-al-Wajood, which means "Unity of Existence" or "Unity of Being," implying that God and his creation are one and the same.
• Orthodox components were scorned by the saints of this silsila.

Naqshbandi Silsilah

• Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshbandi founded this Silsila in India. It was further spread by Sheikh Baqi Billah and Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1563 – 1624).
• They were known as "silent Sufis" because they practised quiet heart meditation.
• Unlike Chistis, who believed that the connection between man and God was that of a lover and beloved, the Sufis of this silsila felt that it was that of a slave and master.
• Sufis followed Shariah law in its purest form, rejecting all bidders (innovations in religion).
• They were opposed to Akbar's liberal policies, including awarding high status to numerous non-Muslims, abolishing jizya, and prohibiting cow slaughter.
• They were also opposed to sama (religious music) and pilgrimages to the tombs of saints.
• Following Sirhindi's death, the order was represented by two notable mystics, each with a unique perspective.
• Under Shah Waliullah's leadership, a conservative approach was taken, whereas under Mirza Mazhar Jan-i- Jahan leadership, a liberal approach was taken.

Shattari Silsilah

• Sheikh Sirajuddin Abdullah Shattar (1406 AD) founded it, and it became famous in Malwa, Jaunpur, and Bengal.
• This command was likewise followed by Tansen, the great musician of Akbar's court.

Kubrawiya Order

• Sheikh Nadjm ed-Din Kubra discovered it in modern-day Uzbekistan.
• It stayed restricted to these locations and did not expand significantly.
• Firdausia Silsila is another name for it, and it's popular in Eastern India, Bangladesh, and Mauritius.

Conclusion

Islam arrived in India in the 7th century CE through merchants from Saudi Arabia who traded with India's western coastal districts. Thereafter, in the north, the faith spread to Multan and Sind, which were conquered by Muhammad Bin Qasim in the eighth century CE. Sufism, on the other hand, rose to prominence during the reign of the Delhi Sultanate in the 10th and 11th centuries. Sufism in India embraced numerous indigenous Indian concepts such as yoga postures, music, and dance. Sufism has followers among both Muslims and Hindus.