SUFISM - A PANACEA FOR BURGEONING FUNDAMENTALISM, STRIFE AND SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN THE PRESENT TIMES

 

 Preeti Singh¹, Rajender Pal Singh²

¹Dr., University of Delhi, INDIA, preeti.singh802@gmail.com

²Dr., SHIATS Deemed University, INDIA, singhrp55@yahoo.com

 

Abstract

This paper focuses on the immense potential that the holistic and transcendent philosophy of Sufism contains in providing the world with an alternative approach that can help to counter the serious challenges to global peace and order in present times when almost every region in the world is facing grave problems of violence, interminable conflicts, sectarian divisions, political upheavals, burgeoning extremism and fundamentalism. It has been accepted that the universal secular visions and ideologies of the past have failed to forge a peace culture for humanity and therefore, it is the emergent need of the hour to draw upon the harmonizing and syncretizing impact of Sufism, to counter disruptive and divisive forces that have threatened the very fabric of global society

Apart from referring to the history and influence of Sufism in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia in general, there is specific reference in this paper, to the enduring wisdom and invaluable contribution of this non sectarian, inclusive spiritual universalism in bridging communal divides in Indian society from Medieval to present times. This Sufi based approach that has helped to confront stringent and narrow ideologies, can serve as an antidote to the current malady of violence and disequilibrium in today’s chaotic world. While the Sufi vision of ‘Tawhid’ stands for ‘oneness of God’, belief in human wholeness, spiritual elevation and inner freedom, the Sufi doctrine of ‘Wahadut-ul-wujud’, meaning ‘unity of being’, implies deep respect for oneness of mankind and all elements in the universe. Together they hold great promise of serving as a vehicle that can eventually bring about social cohesion and world order.

While the present study examines the influence and reach of Sufism in the world today, it begins with briefly tracing the changes and developments that have taken place within and outside the scope of this spiritual tradition- from the growth and expansion of Sufism in the 11^th and 12^th centuries to its subsequent marginalization in the 18^th and 19^th centuries as a result of the increasing influence of Wahabis, Muslim modernists and revivalists, who condemned Sufi practices and masters. Even western social scientists till the mid 20^th century felt that Sufism was on the wane, without any scope for affecting a lasting impact on world societies.

But far from fading into oblivion, there is rising interest and enthusiasm all over the world today to understand Sufism, which is now being increasingly seen as that spiritual tradition which served to keep civilizations intact and immune from dogmatic discourses in the past. There is clear evidence that as a collective movement, Sufi orders and brotherhoods have been continuously expanding in countries like Indonesia, Turkey and Iran, and that the popularity base of Sufism has broadened, especially among educated urbanites, modern professionals and rational individuals, in many other countries too. Modern Sufi heads are increasingly speaking in favor of Sufism that goes beyond organized religion, and refer to its deep intellectual aspects that had, in the past, helped to instill a spirit of tolerance, solidarity, inquiry and expression in a diverse population. This study also examines the significant changes being in the activities of Sufi groups, which now emphasize on educational, social and vocational programs for upwardly mobile youth, apart from conducting religious studies. That the humanistic doctrines of Sufism can serve to be a panacea for the scourge of rising fundamentalism in the world, is increasingly being felt even in the west.

Thus, through this paper I strive to emphasize that Sufism, with its deeply ecumenical spirituality, has the capacity to inspire human solidarity and harmony, and can help to stall disruptive forces bent on fostering conflict and destroying global peace.

 

Keywords: Sufism, global peace, inclusive spiritual universalism, ‘Wahadut-ul-wujud’.