Al Haqeeqa
Shrine based Sufism has worked phenomenally in promotion and spreading of communal harmony in India. Since its advent, Sufism has blended well into the Indian society. It developed harmony with the Bhakti movement and some other Hindu religious movements. The shrine based Sufi Islam emerged as a cross-fertilization of religious, mythical, ethical and spiritual ideas. Without contradicting the monotheistic teachings of religion Islam, the shrine based Sufism significantly interacted with other existing Indian belief systems hence influenced the religious landscape and carved a distinct space for itself. The shrine based Sufis besides asserting their religion, slowly became the torch bearers of communal harmony and peace. Sufism in India thrived as a confluence of Arabic, Persian and native religious practices and socio-cultural environment. Sufism, shrine based, embedded perfectly into India’s pluralist culture. As asserted by various researchers, Hindus visit Dargah taking them for holy places and also seek suggestions from the Sufi saints. Irrespective of the religion or spiritual orientation, people in India visit Sufi shrines to worship. Sufi shrines are also perceived as peaceful places which promote inter religious interaction and brotherhood.
The recent unfortunate incident of communal clashes at Aland Taluk of Kalaburagi district of Karnataka is in total contrast to the beautiful history of Sufi shrines which is filled with love, brotherhood and communal harmony. Ladle Mashak Dargah is considered as the epitome of communal harmony with a Shivalinga being built and revered just adjacent to the graveyard of Hazrat Shaikh Alauddin Ansari. Both Hindus and Muslims visit the Dargah since hundreds of years and pay respect both at the grave of the Sufi saint and at the Shivalinga. Before November last year, the place was referred as an example of communal harmony. Even on the fateful day of March 1, 2022 when politically energised mobs from both the community (Hindu, Muslims) tried to confront with each other, intellectuals from both the community came forward, sensitized the mobs and the matter was resolved peacefully. Both sides relented and Hindus were allowed to perform purification rituals at the Shivalinga. The Dargah committee maintained calm during the event and showed that Sufis believe in peace. While the situation was brought under control through an amicable settlement, external forces with political ambitions intervened thereby turning the peaceful situation into a violent one. To add to it, leaders of extremist organisations like Popular Front of India (PFI) gave provocative statement which resulted in stone pelting and injury to police personnel.
Sufism has always contended the fanatical and extremist interpretations, be those of Islamic theologians or of the scholars of other religions. Their focus always has been on the unity of faiths in defence of India’s unity, integrity and diversity. The rich, peaceful history of Sufis is at stake in Aland. Without going into the merits of the controversy and pointing fingers, Sufis must again prove that irrespective of circumstances, Sufis believe in communal harmony and forgiveness. During the Abbasid Caliphate, Sufi movement got its martyr when Sufi Mansur Hallaj sacrificed his life but never pointed a finger towards his executioner due to his belief in love and forgiveness. The tragic death of Mansur earned the Sufis the reputation of being men who were pure hearted, sincere and indifferent to worldly gains which further helped them in propagating their ideology of peace and love. The Aland Dargah issue is the defining moment for Sufis of Karnataka and of India to prove that they are the true followers of Sufi traditions by openly declaring peace and harmony which will eventually puncture a hole in the political conspiracy of the players involved.
