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Bhakti-Sufi Traditions
What were the similarities and differences between the be-sharia and 6a-sharia sufi traditions?
Meaning of Sharia:
(i) The sharia is the law governing the Muslim community. It is based on the Quran and the Hadis, traditions of the Prophet including a record of his remembered words and deeds.
(ii) Some mystics initiated movements based on a radical interpretation of sufi ideals. Many scorned the khanqah and took to mendicancy and observed celibacy. They ignored rituals and observed extreme forms of asceticism. Because of their deliberate defiance of the sharia they were often referred to as be-sharia, in contrast to the ba-sharia sufis who complied with it.
(iii) A group of religious minded people called sufis turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the caliphate as a religious and political institution. The sufis sought an interpretation of the Quran on the basis of their personal experience. The sufis traditions which were anti-sharia (or the law governing the Muslim community) are called be-sharia while the tradition of Sufi which are pro-sharia (are called ba-sharia).
Similarities : Both of Sufi traditions are critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpretation of the Quran and sunna (traditions of the Prophet) adopted by theologians. Instead, they laid stress on seeking salvation.
In this way we can say that both the traditions of the sufis i.e. be-sharia and ba-sharia are same. They sought and interpret the Quran on the basis of personal experience.
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Discuss the major beliefs and practices that characterised Sufism.
Examine how and why rulers tried to establish connections with the traditions of the Nayanars and the Sufis.
Analyse, with illustrations, why Bhaktland Sufi thinkers adopted a variety of languages in which to express their opinions.
Read any five of the sources included in this chapter and discuss the social and religious ideas that are expressed in them.
On an outline map of India, plot three major sufi shrines, and three places associated with temples (one each of a form of Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess).
Choose any two of the religious teachers/thinkers/saints mentioned in this chapter, and find out more about their lives and teachings. Prepare a report
about the area and the times in which they lived their major ideas, how we know about them, and why you think they are important.
Find out more about practices of pilgrimage associated with the shrines mentioned in this chapter. Are these pilgrimages still undertaken? When are these shrines visited? Who visits these shrines? Why do they do so? What are the activities associated with these pilgrimages?
Mention the two earliest Bhakti Movements of Tamil Nadu, giving the main difference between them.
Mention two features of the protest movement started by Nayanars and Alvars.
Who led a new religious movement in Karnataka? What were his followers known as?
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