Islamic Mysticism in Afghanistan

Short description: Sufism in Afghanistan

Sufism is considered as an essential part of Islam In Afghanistan.[1] The once Suppressed Sufism by Taliban is again regaining its importance as it was there before the rule of Taliban.[1]Sufis have a considerable influence on both urban and rural society of Afghanistan.[1][2]Sufism is the part of Afghanistan as long as 1300 years ago, so recognised as "Home of Sufi Saints"[1] Most of the people in Afghanistan are the follower of Sufism[3]

> Sufism has shaped Afghan society and politics for much of the country's history. Today, very few are aware of this legacy. Might the Sufis now provide an important contribution to the stability of the country

## Contents

* 1 Influence
* 2 Sufi Rituals and Practices
* 2.1 Beliefs
* 3 Supression of Sufi Practices in Afghanistan
* 4 Recognition
* 5 List of Notable Afghani Sufis
* 6 References

## Influence

Sufism is tightly bounded to the History of Afghanistan as it is said that Afghan kings were traditionally crowned in the presence of a great Sufi master. The Sufis were also involved in revolts against many political rulers.In 1919, under the power of King Amanullah the Sufis felt their position in society under threat. Many orthodox Muslim and Sufis United to overthrow King Amanullah from the power.[4]

## Sufi Rituals and Practices

Qawwali a devotional sufi music is sung over the country. [5]. Other sufi practices includes zikr, construction of various Khanqahs to spread Islam.[5] Naqshbandi sufi order is one of the most dominant Sufi Order in Afghanistan.[6] [7][8]The Mujaddidiya branch of Naqshbandi Tariqa is said to influential to the present day, Pir Saifur Rahman is one of the notable Sufi of this order.[6]The other affiliates of Naqshbandi order are Ansari, Dahbidi, Parsai, Juybari. [9] The other Sufi order followed in Afghanistan are Qadriyya and Chishti Order .[1]

Milad-un-Nabi is celebrated by the Sufis in Afghanistan.[10]The various belongings of last Prophet such as Moo e Mubarak (prophet's Hair), Khirka Sharif, are the sacred things for the Sufis in Afghanistan, they have constructed shrines around these belongings in Afghanistan[8]

### Beliefs

People in Afghanistan consider sufi shrines as the places to unburden themselves, sharing their problems at the feet of Sufi saints, they believe saint can be an intercede on their behalf. It is a strong belief that prayer by sufi saint can eliminate poverty, cure various illness, improve relations with loved ones and ease from various ills of life. When people become helpless after using all the possibilities in their hands then they refer to sufi saints. Sufi saints are considered as the representatives of Allah who can build their relationship with Allah and all their desires - through the saint - can be directly heard and fulfilled by Allah.[11]

## Supression of Sufi Practices in Afghanistan

Sufism in Afghanistan faced its dark phase during the Taliban rule[5] which is said to be extended from 1996 to 2001. It is said that many Sufis were tortured by the Talibanis, their musical instruments were destroyed. This act of cruelty led Sufis to remain underground for many years.[1]

On 15 March 2012, 11 Afghani Sufis were killed[12]

In 2018 around 50 religious scholars were the victim of suicide bombing during the Mawlid celebration in Afghanistan[13][10][14]

## Recognition

Former president of Afghanistan Sibghatullah Mojaddedi was a Sufi Shaikh.[15] [16] Sufis in Afghanistan are known for their various miraculous Powers.[1] Pilgrimage to Sufi shrine (Ziyarat) is recognised in whole Afghanistan. [1][3]

## List of Notable Afghani Sufis

Afghanistan is a birthplace of many sufis such as[4]

1\. Hakim Sanai (Ghazni)

Sufi Sanai

2\. Hakim Jami (Herat)

3\. Sheikh Mohammad Rohani

4\. Khwaja Abdullah Ansari

Khwaja Abdullah Ansari portrayed on stamp

5.Sibghatullah Mojaddedi

Sibghatullah Mujaddedi in 2014

6.Ahmed Gailani

Ahmed Gailani in 2014

7.Abobaker Mojadidi

8.Rumi[17]

Tomb shrine of Rumi, Konya

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Azami, Dawood (2011-02-23). "Sufism returns to Afghanistan after years of repression" (in en-GB). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-south-asia-12539409.
2. ↑ "Afghanistan - Sufis". http://countrystudies.us/afghanistan/68.htm.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Will The Taliban Listen To Afghanistan's Sufis?" (in en). https://www.rferl.org/a/Can_Sufis_Bring_Peace_to_Afghanistan/1503303.html.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Sufis in Afghanistan: The forgotten mystics of the Hindu Kush - Qantara.de" (in en). https://en.qantara.de/content/sufis-in-afghanistan-the-forgotten-mystics-of-the-hindu-kush.
5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Afghanistan: Sufi Mysticism Makes a Comeback in Kabul | Eurasianet" (in en). https://eurasianet.org/afghanistan-sufi-mysticism-makes-a-comeback-in-kabul.
6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 Lizzio, Ken (2003-06-01). "Embodying history: a Naqshbandi shaikh of Afghanistan". Central Asian Survey 22 (2-3): 163–185. doi:10.1080/0263493032000157717. ISSN 0263-4937. https://doi.org/10.1080/0263493032000157717.
7. ↑ "Google Scholar". https://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0,5&q=Sufism+scholars+of+Afghanistan&btnG=#d=gs_qabs&u=#p=OG_a_iRtTeoJ.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 McChesney, R. D. (2018-07-09). "Reliquary Sufism: Sacred Fiber in Afghanistan" (in en). Sufism in Central Asia: 191–237. doi:10.1163/9789004373075_008. https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004373075/BP000017.xml.
9. ↑ McChesney, R. D. (2018-07-09). "Reliquary Sufism: Sacred Fiber in Afghanistan" (in en). Sufism in Central Asia: 191–237. doi:10.1163/9789004373075_008. https://brill.com/view/book/edcoll/9789004373075/BP000017.xml.
10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Condemning the attack in Kabul on Mawlid al-Nabi". https://www.mpac.org/blog/updates/condemning-the-attack-in-kabul-on-mawlid-al-nabi.php.
11. ↑ Khaama, News. "Afghan women pilgrimage and their devoted beliefs". https://www.khaama.com/afghan-women-pilgrimages-and-their-devoted-beliefs-876896/.
12. ↑ "Killing of 11 Sufis at Afghan mosque mystifies authorities". https://apnews.com/228c701e1cc743d7bdd1db8441395ce2.
13. ↑ Press, Associated (2018-11-20). "At least 43 killed, 83 injured in suicide bombing at Mawlid gathering in Afghanistan's Kabul" (in en). https://www.dailysabah.com/asia/2018/11/20/at-least-43-killed-83-injured-in-suicide-bombing-at-mawlid-gathering-in-afghanistans-kabul.
14. ↑ "Suicide bomber kills over 50 at Eid-e-Miladunnabi event in Kabul". 2018-11-21. https://www.dhakatribune.com/world/south-asia/2018/11/21/suicide-bomber-kills-over-50-at-eid-e-miladunnabi-event-in-kabul.
15. ↑ "From Sufi Sheikh to President: Historic mujahedin leader Mujaddedi passes away" (in ps-GB). 2019-02-13. https://www.afghanistan-analysts.org/en/reports/political-landscape/from-sufi-sheikh-to-interim-president-historic-mujahedin-leader-mujaddedi-passes-away/.
16. ↑ Malikyar, Helena. "Afghanistan: Sufi leaders add 'dignity' to elections". https://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2014/03/afghanistan-sufi-leaders-add-dig-20143256634750809.html.
17. ↑ March 8, Ali M. Latifi; Am, 201510:17 (2015-03-08). "Afghanistan's ancient Sufi order shocked by deadly attack" (in en-US). https://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-afghanistan-sufi-attack-20150308-story.html.

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