ESSENCE OF SUFISM

If you have gone through my earlier blogs on Sufism, you might have got an idea about how the supreme music form has been manipulated by modern musicians to amuse people in public functions and in Hindi movies. But, today, in this blog I would like to talk about the spiritual element of the music form and how it is reciprocated across the world.

Sufism as the spiritual Path:

 There is no doubt, that the role of music has been debated and condemned by Muslim scholars in the past as well as in the present, but for the Sufi saints, it is the ultimate solace for human soul to reach divinity. Whether accompanied by musical instruments and rhythms or not, Sufism is the path to spiritual development for the human soul. 

The verses from the Sufi Literature written in praise of the Prophet Mohammad (may_peace_be_upon_Him) have also found a place in the sacred book of Islam, the holy Quran. These verses were originally written with a view to preach Islam and to introduce the goodness of the religion. Hence, the believers of Sufism used these verses as a medium to spread the message of Islam .It was their daily practice to recite and contemplate on these verses so that they can focus on the supreme power, the God, and unite themselves with the divine soul. It is believed that in such state, a Sufi can act as a bridge between the celestial power and the material world by performing miracles.

However, with the transition of time, the Sufi verses have undergone a change. Today, it is sung in dargahs and other religious and public gatherings accompanied by enchanting music and rhythms. The core of the music form mesmerizes the entire ambience, transcending the heart and soul of the listeners to a spiritual world. Today, it has emerged as one of the powerful tool to spread the message of Sufi culture. Sufi culture is not only confined to signing in praise of the Prophet or the Creator (Allah). It also unfolds the pain and suffering of a devotee in being separated from his Master. This forms the core of Sufi poetry and music.

Whether you spend your Thursday and Friday evening inside the Nizzamuddin Dargah in Delhi, or in a public gathering listening to and immersing yourself into the rhythm and music of Sufi, even without understanding the message that it is trying to propagate, the music form by no way fails to establish the fact that it is the music of ‘the soul, by the soul and for the soul.’

The Global stand of the Art Form:

As we all know that Sufi music is the heart of Muslim mystics and aims at spreading the teachings of Islam, hence Muslim dominated regions of the world like, Asia: Saudi Arabia, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Anatolia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, India, Syria, Israel, Indonesia; Africa: Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Senegal, Algeria, Tunisia; America: Brazil, Cuba and Haiti, and others are not left untouched by the impact of the music form.

                                         

                                            

Sufi thoughts, which were basically composed in Arabic, traversed through different languages and culture from Persian to Turkish and are enriched by multiple cultures of the world. Today, it finds expression through diverse musical genres and untold musical forms.  Contemporary musicians and musical troupes across the world like, Sohrab Fakir from Sindhi, Pakistan; Musa Dieng Kala from Senegal; Ahl-Al-Haqq of Kurdistan; The Gnaouas and the Issawas of Morocco; Hamza Shakkur and Al-Kindi of Syria, etc. have contributed towards the expansion and embellishment of traditional Sufi music, thus giving it a new and unique flavor and style.

                                      

Sufi Music accompanied by Sufi instruments:

No doubt the real beauty of music comes alive when accompanied by right instrument. One can witness the majesty of Sufi Music which is also known as the ‘Music of Brotherhood’, when the music lovers of Morocco chants and dance together in a circle by holding each other’s hand; or in Turkey and Syria, when Dervish twirl themselves to the melancholic tune of the Sufi accompanied by subtle instruments, such as, Zukra, Rabab, Oud, Ney, Qanun, etc. along with the passionate music played on Darbuka and Bendir. The musical ecstasy created by the sounds of these instruments is enough to transform your soul to a spiritual world, where you can establish a contact with the Divine power. 

As music forms an indispensable part of Sufism, hence the brothers of Morocco celebrates trance night before the holy month of Ramadan begins, by chanting mystic accompanying Gnawa. Even the African community residing in American continents follows this tradition.  While the Mourides residing in Senegal wants to be nearer to God by chanting Njang,; the Quwals of India seeks to reunite with the supreme power by reciting and singing Zikr, Quwwali, Sufiana Kalam, Ghazal and other musical genres in Farsi Hindi and Urdu.