Chilla (retreat)

Spiritual practice in Sufism

This article is about Sufi practice. For other uses, see Chilla.

Sufi Maulvi (teacher) meditating

Chilla (Persian: چله, Arabic: أربعين, both literally "forty"), also known as Chilla-nashini, is a spiritual practice of penance and solitude in Sufism known mostly in Indian and Persian traditions. In this ritual a mendicant or ascetic attempts to remain seated in a circle practicing meditation techniques without food for 40 days and nights in imitation of the Arba'een.[1][2]

## Etymology

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The word chilla is derived from the Persian word chehel "forty".[3]

## Chilla-khana

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Chilla is commonly performed in a solitary cell called a chilla-khana.[4] The place itself is sometimes called Chilla where chilla has been performed.[4]

## Incidents of Chilla

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The most famous case of chilla is found in the biographies of the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez of Shiraz.[5][6][7]

## In music

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Main article: Chilla katna

A practice similar to chilla is also performed by Hindustani classical music practitioners at an advanced level. It is called chilla katna.

## See also

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* Khalwa
* Meditation
* Sādhanā
* Shugendō
* Tabligh Jamaat

## References

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1. ^ Landolt & Lawson 2005, p. 203.
2. ^ Dehlvi 2012, p. 109.
3. ^ "The Path of Khalwati and Shabani". Archived from the original on 2005-01-11. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
4. ^ a b Ireland, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and (1896). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society. p. 328.
5. ^ "Teachings of Hafiz". www.sacred-texts.com.
6. ^ "Biography of Hafiz". www.hafizonlove.com.
7. ^ "Persian Language & Literature: Hafez Shirazi". www.iranchamber.com.

### Bibliography

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* Dehlvi, Sadia (5 September 2012). Sufism: Heart of Islam. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5029-448-2.
* Landolt, Hermann; Lawson, Todd (2005). Reason and Inspiration in Islam: Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism in Muslim Thought. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 978-1-85043-470-2.