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- Title
Sufism in Medieval Sub-continent and Contribution in Human Development.
- Authors
Hashmi, Shahid Bahar; Khawaja, Asma Shakir
- Abstract
The current study reflects upon the contribution of Sufis in human development during medieval sub-continent. Such contributions are viewed in terms of basic needs approach towards development and universality of equality of humankind. In sub-continent, though the development of Sufi style of education and training, especially their own invented mechanisms of tarīqa coupled with development of Sufi order and Sufis' role in cultural transformation played an important role in the development of society on pure humanitarian and spiritual grounds. With this development, the emergence of Sufi places of worship, mechanism of self-development, and training of disciples or devotees resulted into development of specialized form of training centers for the development of society and to articulate and spread the philosophy of Sufism regarding peace, harmony, equality and social justice. Sufis practices especially began to develop in medieval subcontinent when Sufis started practicing in the form of small groupings that then turned into their dwellings later on. These Sufi dwellings in the form of khānqāh acted as organization determined to improve the lives of the common people through humanitarian, educational, social and human rights, social safety, and for delivery of justices for poor and destitute. Because of the parallel development of Sufis and Sultanate in sub-continent India, there also developed both cordial as well as hostile relations between the two because of earlier more popularity among poor marginalized sections of society. Some Sufi orders maintained cordial relations while some others tried to distance themselves from State and Sultans because cordial relations can compromise their philosophy of social justice. In addition to that Sufis mediatory role between governed and governing elite and for interfaith dialogue can be visualized as contributing peace and harmony and to settle the egalitarian outlook of the society. Sufi viewed egalitarianism as a binding ideology to unite people and reduce the differences in the name of religion, caste and gender. The Sufi core doctrine of love, peace, social justice and equality very remarkably attracted the lower sections of society especially those who were deprived of the facilities of life in ranked society.
- Subjects
SUFISM; AUTODIDACTICISM
- Publication
Pakistan Journal of Social Sciences (PJSS), 2019, Vol 39, Issue 4, p1475
- ISSN
2074-2061
- Publication type
Article