Arushi Garg
SUFI MUSIC AND ITS SOULFUL ORIGINS
Sufism is the absolute love for the divine which imbues mysticism as its main core and is a dimension of Islam . The word is derived from the word ‘ suf ’, which means wollen garment often associated with the loose clothes worn by sufi individuals . Its roots can also be from the words ‘ safa ’, meaning purity , and ‘ Sophos ’, whose definition is wise . Sufism is to possess nothing and be possessed by nothing whose paramount lies in the heart of the person being pure from the pollution of discord . The penultimate goal and desire of the Sufi is to meet ‘ Him ’ and never be separated from his abode of tranquillity .
In order to reach this state of trance where the mind , body and soul are connected to divinity , Sufism was born , and music and rhythmic verses were created as a tool to achieve that state of mind . With Sufi music coming in contact with varied regions and cultures , it beautifully picked up some flowers and transformed others into luscious fruit oozing with a new method to reach the corners of the heart . This confluence resulted in Sufi music intermingling with local cultures and giving a new variation of the music .
One of the most revered personifications of Sufi music and Sufism is the whirling dervish dance , whose inception is credited to Jalāl Aaad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī . This Mevlevi Order was formed , which cherished peace and love as the supreme ingredient to have a direct connection to Allah . In this sacred ceremony , the Ney flute creates a transcendental note which echoes both inside and outside the body as the eyes become transfixed by the twirling dervishes . Their white attire with a Rumi cap and hands in the air as a way to seek God is the hallmark upon which this dance can be characterised .
In Southeast Asia , Qawwali is the byproduct of Sufi music which has been performed for over 700 years ; which an unbroken Chisthi Order whose music is embedded with poetry that is sung ecstatically . The use of hands to clap to the rhythmic synchronisation of the spellbinding music creates an aura of unison with fellow believers and God itself . One of its greatest custodians in today ’ s era was Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan , whose unbelievable vocal range and command over the audience made Sufi music and Qawwali reach the forefront of the music scene both in the West and on home turf .
Through soulful music , the methods of ‘ Dhikr-e-Qalbi ’ invoke love and devotion to God with each heartbeat . It corresponds with the world of inner knowledge ( ilm-e-seena ) as it collides with the world of outer knowledge ( ilm-esafina ) to find joy in the shelter of God . Due to the visceral nature of music and its captivating effect on the mind , one cannot think of Sufism without its iconic music that channels the heart to the infinity of love that God showers . This massive sway on the mind by Sufi music can be one of the vantage points to remotely understand the workings of unfiltered and unadulterated devotion .
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