Sufis

Sufis: Re-assessment in Light of Islamisation

Sufis and Sufism are often referred to in general parlance as a shining example of the evolution of a "Hindu-Muslim syncretic culture" in the Indian social, cultural and religious landscape in the medieval ages. In academic as well as lay discourses, Sufis are often pitted against the “illiberal, narrow-minded” Ulema as representing the “tolerant, liberal” face of Islam. On the other side many argue that it was the Sufis who took on the role of missionaries of Islam, though often cloaking their missionary activities under the garb of sweet words and spiritual advice, which attracted the religious-minded Hindu masses in the areas where they set up their khanqas. While most of the different Sufi silsilahs perhaps agreed on the broad goal and most silsilahs accepted the supremacy of the Shariat (ba shara), they differed in their approaches. Thus, while the Chishti silsilah is understood to have adopted a relatively softer approach, some of the silsilahs like the Qubrawiyas, Naqshbandis, etc. are seen as advocates of more hardline anti-kafir approach. Thus, a re-assessment of the legacy of the Sufis is required in the light of their role in influencing the Hindu cultural and religious tradition and their legacy in changing the socio-demographic and political contours of the Indian subcontinent.