Sufi form of Islam in the Indian subcontinent
Sufi vs. Wahhabi: Differences in Islamic ideology
- Social and cultural role of dargahs
- Tradition of Nizamuddin Auliya and Amir Khusro
- Ideology and secular outlook of Justice Katju
- Islam is suitable for diverse societies like India and Pakistan
Indian/Pakistani Islam is Sufi Islam
By Justice Markandey KatjuAt an Iftar I once attended, I said that Indian Islam is Sufi Islam, not Wahabi Islam.
At this, one Muslim present said that Islam is only one.
I replied that this was not correct. Apart from other differences ( e.g. between Sunnis and Shias, and between subsects of these ), a major difference in Islam is between Sufis and Wahabis.
Sufi Islam is a tolerant Islam. The Sufis taught compassion, brotherhood and tolerance among all human beings, whereas Wahabis preached intolerance, bigotry, and fanaticism.
Dargahs are shrines where Sufi saints are buried, and people of all communities go to dargahs. In India, there are often more Hindus than Muslims in dargahs like Ajmer Sharif, Nizamuddin Aulia dargah ( in Delhi ), Deva Sharif ( in Lucknow ), Kaliyar Sharif ( near Roorkee ), etc.
India’s most revered dargahs
Although I am an atheist, I respect all religions, and am very fond of going to dargahs to pay respect to sufi saints who preached tolerance, compassion, and brotherhood among all humans ( not just among Muslims )
Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro
I am fond of dargahs: Justice Katju
Nizamuddin Aulia ( 1238-1325 ) and Amir Khusro (1253-1325)
Wahabis hate dargahs, and in Saudi Arabia even destroy them, saying that they are places of 'butparasti ' ( idol worship ), because, according to them, graves are worshipped there, whereas Islam only permits worship of Allah.
The truth is that no one worships graves in dargahs. One only pays respect to Sufi saints who taught universal compassion, tolerance and brotherhood.
In a country with such great diversity like India and Pakistan only Sufi Islam is acceptable. Wahabi Islam has no place here.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
Although I am an atheist, I respect all religions, and am very fond of going to dargahs to pay respect to sufi saints who preached tolerance, compassion, and brotherhood among all humans ( not just among Muslims )
Dargah of Hazrat Amir Khusro
I am fond of dargahs: Justice Katju
Nizamuddin Aulia ( 1238-1325 ) and Amir Khusro (1253-1325)
Wahabis hate dargahs, and in Saudi Arabia even destroy them, saying that they are places of 'butparasti ' ( idol worship ), because, according to them, graves are worshipped there, whereas Islam only permits worship of Allah.
The truth is that no one worships graves in dargahs. One only pays respect to Sufi saints who taught universal compassion, tolerance and brotherhood.
In a country with such great diversity like India and Pakistan only Sufi Islam is acceptable. Wahabi Islam has no place here.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
