A Journey of Unity: Bhakti Poets and Sufi Saints in India

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 05 November, 2024 The Bhakti and Sufi movements championed unity and universal love across religious divides, fostering India’s rich composite culture. This spirit of Sulh-e-Kul (universal peace) remains integral to Indian society, promoting coexistence and mutual respect. Main points. · Bhakti and Sufi movements emphasized humanity and unity beyond caste or religion. · Sulh-e-Kul (universal peace) became a guiding principle through Sufi teachings. · Indian poets like Kabir and Vidyapati blended Persian and Urdu in their works, symbolizing cultural synthesis. · Sufi practices, like langar, influenced Sikhism and celebrated shared values. · This heritage of unity continues as the foundation of India’s Ganga-Jamuni tehzeeb (composite culture). The Bhakti Movement, much like India’s own cultural tapestry, is a rich blend of diverse voices and perspectives. Both Hindu and Muslim saint-poets set aside distinctions of caste and religion, celebrating love and humanity while drawing inspiration from the Sufi ideals of compassion, unity, and divine connection. While the movement took root as early as the 8th century with the Alvar saints in South India, it gained fresh vigour after Kabir’s time. The seeds of Hindu-Muslim harmony sown by Hazrat Amir Khusrau blossomed into a movement that spanned India, encouraging values of unity and respect across faiths. A concept in physics tells us that everything in the universe naturally seeks to come together. The Sufi philosophy embraced this notion and transformed it into Sulh-e-Kul or ‘Universal Peace.’ This doctrine promoted an inclusive approach, where Vedanta’s Neti Neti ("not this, not that") transcended in Sufi philosophy to Iti Iti ("this too, and that too"), encouraging a harmonious acceptance of all. One story illustrates this spirit well: a man once questioned Maulana Rumi, challenging his claim of being in agreement with all 72 sects. The man argued that a Christian and a Muslim, or a Muslim and a Hindu, could never truly agree with each other. Rumi, with his characteristic warmth, simply smiled and replied, “I even agree with you.” This deep acceptance of diverse perspectives came to be known in India as Sulh-e-Kul, a principle celebrated by poets and saints alike, expressing an inclusive and holistic view of spirituality. Amir Khusrau championed this inclusive path, followed by poet Vidyapati, who embedded Persian vocabulary within his works like Kirtilata and Kirtipataka, symbolizing a mutual cultural exchange and acceptance. Kabir’s verses also reflect this blend, filled with Urdu and Persian expressions, showcasing a merging of languages and ideas. The influence of Sufis on the Bhakti Movement was profound. Hazrat Ghaus Gwaliori, a prominent Sufi mystic, wrote about yogic practices in his book Bahru’l Hayat, while Malik Muhammad Jayasi enriched Hindi literature with works like Padmavat, Akhravat, and Kanahavat. In Kanahavat, Jayasi portrays Krishna not as a conquering ruler over Dwarka but as a spiritual figure establishing a Khanaqah (retreat), advocating peace and harmony. A wave of devotional poetry followed, with poets like Raskhan, Raslin, Mulla Daud, Qutban, and Manjan blending Hindu and Islamic sentiments. This poetic interweaving inspired Bharatendu Harishchandra, a 19th-century poet, to proclaim, “I would lay down my life for these Muslim saints.” Sufi influence on the Bhakti Movement can also be seen in practices like Langar (community kitchens), later embraced by Sikhism in its identical form. The inclusive teachings of both Sufi saints and Bhakti poets left a profound impact on Sikh scripture, the Guru Granth Sahib, which includes verses by Baba Farid, Kabir, and Ravidas. The foundation stone of the Golden Temple in Amritsar was even laid by the revered Qadri Sufi Hazrat Mian Mir, symbolizing the unity of Hindu and Muslim communities. The foundation of India’s Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb (composite culture) was enriched by the works of Sufi saints like Hazrat Turab Ali Shah Qalandar and Shah Kazim Qalandar, who composed devotional verses honouring Krishna. This shared heritage of Sulh-e-Kul continues to weave a strong thread of harmony, binding diverse communities and religions in India together. This spirit of unity is a lasting testament to the teachings of Bhakti poets and Sufi saints, fostering coexistence across India’s many paths and beliefs. ….. Sahil Razvi is an Author and Research scholar specialising in Sufism and History and an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. ---------- URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/journey-bhakti-poets-sufi-saints-india/d/133625 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism