Sufism — not only the past, but also the present and future

Karachi

As words and narrations dedicated to the swirling Dervishes and Sufis, in the 2nd International Sufi Conference, came to an end on Sunday night, it was unanimously agreed upon that despite the intolerance that has crept into our society, Sufism could still be used as a tool to inculcate peaceful values for it was not a thing of the past but could also shape our present and  our future.

Organised at the National Museum of Pakistan the first session titled ‘Uho Ko Biyo Faham’ - a line from Shah Latif’s works - was about finding other ways to reach out to the beloved besides praying and fasting.

Moderated by Dr Ghazala Rehman the session saw Humera Naz, Ute Falasch, Zehra Sabri, Zulfikar Kalhoro and Dr Javed Hussain Chandio explore the aspects of mysticism and that Sufism did not preach about towing away from knowledge.

An associate professor at the Department of General History of the University of Karachi, Humera Naz, explained her research and pointed out that Sufism had put forward socio-religious teachings and promoted a society built on love and respect.

A German scholar of Sufism, Falasch spoke about the idea of Sufi brotherhood and how the idea of isolation was still revered in Sufism.

Zahra Sabri, a doctoral student in South Asian studies, steered the discussion towards the question of whether Sufism was a distinct way to approach Islam, and how over a passage of time the term Sufi also got classist allusions as a ‘Mehfil-e-Sama’ was now referred to as ‘Sufi night’.

She added that literary critics had also distinguished between Mir Dard who was referred to as a Sufi while Ghalib was referred to as a non-Sufi poet, Zahra opined the labels were not justified as it was not necessary to be a Dervish in order to be a Sufi poet.

Referring to the Salafi school of thought, Zahra said the school of thought which believed in minimalism was attempting to go back 1,400 years and produce an approach which would be ‘pure’.

Dr Javed Hasan Chandio started off with a passionate discussion, he lightened up the session by remarking that, “Sufism does not promote the idea of self projection,” while pointing at the wide screen behind the panel.  

Presiding over the session Senior Minister Education Nisar Khuhro, said we needed to derive our inspiration from Sufism and should harness our lives around it because it was the need of the hour.

“Schools teaching the tenets of Sufism have to be set up for there to be a true manifestation of Sufism.” Many a time buildings are built for such purposes but what goes on in them is what matters, Khuhro added.

As Khuhro mentioned that all poets were Sufis because love and knowledge were interwoven, the next session moderated by Aliya Naqvi, aimed at shedding light on the Sufi poetry trends of the 19th-20th century in light of colonisation and a changing of global hegemonic powers. 

Gaddi Nasheen of the shrine of Bhit Shah, Syed Waqar Hussain Shah, spoke about how 300 years ago Bhittai was spreading the message of peace and love for all and prayed for Sindh to be prosperous all the while remembering the universe as well.

“Given that there were 72 sects, bifurcation was indeed inevitable but Bhittai did not believe in divisions and only thought about being kind to all of the Almighty’s creations.”

He said that it was unfair to forget about the child dying in Thar while being contended over the safety of the child studying at the Karachi Grammar School. Critic and poet Taj Joyo spoke with passion while elaborating over how Sufism had absolutely no room for dictatorship or feudalism.

“Knowing oneself helped in discovering the Deity.”

Dr Michel Boivin also presented his work on the concept of ‘Jhule Laal’ and explained how dance or locally referred to as ‘Dhamaal’ was also a path to reach God.

The last session, ‘Relevance of Sufism Today’, was indeed the longest with an expansive panel comprising names like Kamil Khan Mumtaz, Fakir Syed Aijazuddin, Dr Makhmoor Bukhari, Dr Aslam Pervez Memon and presided over by Senator Aitzaz Ahsan.

Aijazuddin believed that, “By ignoring the basic premise of Sufism, the mass media had instead publicised Sufism as a do-it-yourself activity.”

Sharing his personal experience of growing closer to mysticism, he said the idea of public acts of forgiveness was important, advising political parties and the LEAs to also mull over taking on the idea.

Senator Aitzaz Ahsan while concluding the session pointed out, “Sufism is significant as it has one of the few schools of thought which upheld traditions that valued women.”

Speaking of the resistance of Sufis, he added that Sufis were those who protested against rigidity of religions, and the resistance was not exclusive to Islam rather the expression of resisting oppression in Middle East was also seen in the works of Bhagat Kabir and Pooran Dervish.

“The Sufi was not only confined to the Khanquah’ when required, the Sufi was also a revolutionary.”

Referring to the killings of Dara Shikoh by Aurangzeb, he opined that had Dara won, the history of the subcontinent would have been entirely different.

The event concluded with a soulful performance of Sufi singer Abida Parveen.