Sadia Dehlvi’s book – Sufism: the Heart of Islam
Finally Sadia Dehlvi’s book, Sufism: The Heart of Islam (HarperCollins), is published and was launched last week in Delhi. India’s eminent writer Khushwant Singh and historian Mushirul Hasan launched the book while Vidya Rao and Oroon Das rendered Sufi verses with music and subtle intonations befitting the Sufi path.
Tariqa – the Way of the Sufi
At many stages in life I came close to giving up on the idea of God altogether. Growing up in the seventies one inherited a mixed bag of values. Progressive writers professed agnosticism and friends jeered at the idea of hell or heaven. Churches, temples, mosques and monasteries were simply not fashionable in the age of rebellion. Growing up in an Irish convent boarding school, I regularly went to church, sang Christmas carols, baked Easter eggs and imbibed Christian values. During annual holidays a maulana, religious teacher, came home to teach all the children the Quran. He instilled the fear of God in us, with the result that Fear remained the only emotion that the heart felt for the Creator. Somehow, this overwhelming fear kept me connected to Allah, despite often wanting to break away completely. Traversing the Sufi path changed my attitude for it teaches that prayer rituals are worth little if not accompanied by love and sincerity. On behalf of God, Prophet Muhammad declared: ‘Heaven and earth cannot contain Me but the heart of my faithful servant contains Me.’ The mystic poet Fariduddin Attar illustrates the state of the lovers: When you seek God, seek him in your heart He is not in Jerusalem, nor in Mecca nor in Hajj The Quran establishes iman, faith, as a state of the heart that is separate from islam, which is a testimony of faith. When the Bedouins declared Islam their faith, God said: ‘The desert Arabs say, “We believe.” Say, “Ye have no faith; but ye (only) say, “We have submitted our wills to Allah,” For not yet has Faith entered your hearts. But if ye obey Allah and His Messenger, He will not belittle aught of your deeds: for Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’ (49:14). Hal, Kaifiyat and Maqaam Islam contains a three-fold structure consisting of sharia, the outer law; tariqa the inward path; and haqeeqa, the arrival at the reality of Allah. The different stages of the Sufi path are called hal (state) and maqaam (station). Kaifiyat is an emotional state that can be experienced by ordinary people. We often see people getting emotional and tearful while listening to a heartfelt spiritual discourse or the recitation of Divine scriptures. ‘And when they listen to the revelation received by the Apostle, thou wilt see their eyes overflowing with tears, for they recognize the truth: they pray: “Our Lord! we believe; write us down among the witnesses.”‘ 5:83) Hal can be described as a series of enlightened moments. Sufis believe that hal is not self induced but is caused by tajalli, Divine graces that flow from the heavens. In Sufi imagery this flow of blessings is called sharaab e marifat, the wine of gnosis, and sharaab e mohabba, the wine of love. Most mystics remain sober despite intoxication from this wine, whereas some are unable to contain the drink. Mansur Hallaj and Bayazid of Bistam are among the most famous drunken Sufis who revealed God’s mysteries, those that were meant to be veiled. Bayazid sings: I have planted love in my heart And shall not be distracted until judgment day You have wounded my heart when you came near me My desire grows, my love is bursting. He has poured me a sip to drink. He has quickened my heart with the cup of love Which he has filled at the ocean of friendship. Sufis of some orders use music to induce hal, a state of spiritual ecstasy. Hal is kaifiyat in a prolonged state and maqaam in its permanent state. ‘Maqaam is something that descends from God into a man’s heart, without his being able to repel it when it comes, or to attract it when it goes, by his own effort.’ In the last few years of his life, Prophet Muhammad spent a lot of time with his companions teaching them ways of achieving exalted ranks with God. One day Hanzalah al Usaydi, a companion, confessed to Abu Bakr that he felt divided between contradictory feelings. While in the Prophet’s presence he had the ability to see paradise and hell, but away from the Messenger he felt overpowered by worldly affairs. Hanzalah felt he might be counted among the hypocrites of Islam. Abu Bakr confided to having similar thoughts and both decided to seek answers from the Prophet on their spiritual states. Hearing their doubts, Muhammad replied, ‘By He who holds my soul in his hands, if you were able to remain in the state in which you were in my company, and remember God permanently, the angels would shake your hands in the bed and along the path you walk. Hanzalah, there is a time for this and there is a time for that.’ Sufis describe Hanzalah’s state as hal and maqaam, the spiritual state where God commands the angels to greet His friends. Extract from Sufism: The Heart of Islam, HarperCollins, releasing on April 30, 2009.
And, now the book launch
Suanshu Khurana reports hereThe legendary Amir Khusro’s verse set to strains of Sufi music was the appropriate backdrop for the launch of Sadia Dehlvi’s book, Sufism: The Heart of Islam (HarperCollins, Rs 650), held at Delhi’s Le Meridien on Thursday. The book provides insight into the lives of great Sufi mystics like Baba Bulleshah, Baba Farid, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti apart from a range of poetry written by them. “The book would have been incomplete without these detailed profiles that had a huge impact on people converting to Islam. Since song and dance is such an integral part of Sufism, their poetry adds depth to the book,” said Dehlvi. In the book, she has lucidly described the Sufi path with an interesting assessment of Sufism’s connect with Muslim and non Muslim societies, in turn also highlighting the widespread misunderstanding about Sufism as a faith which separates it from Islam. “Sufism is not an innovation but a continuation of Islam that leads to the Prophet,” she added.
“Sadia’s transformation is commendable. Her perspective on Sufism and spirituality is unique,” said author Khushwant Singh. Professor Mushirul Hasan, VC of Jamia Milia Islamia, launched the book along with Singh, while artists Arpana Caur and Sudhir Dar looked on.
All My Posts, books, Islam, Religion, South Asian Literature, Sufi poetry, Sufism
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hi,this is taran.The book wrote by this woman is really amazing and i think she did this so in the awesome way that everyone will be attracted towards this.She has the much needed quality to chose the words and give them a true shape and to express them in the true way.Hats off to u
Congratulations Sadia Bibi. Great effort ! Janab. Mushirul Hasan has great insight on Islamic “world-view”. You are in good company. I have great regard for Mushirul Hasan’s vision.
As regards Sufism, i had written earlier too., and forgive me if i am repetitive. You must spend a few years more., reading Annemarie Schimmel. The more you read Schimmel… and like an athlete., dont read fast., but allow it to settle down. Annemarie holds the secret.
She reached the Heart of Islam… so if you want to understand “That”, Schimmel is the road / path.
Subject: Fw: Material on Hazrat Amir Khusro
Dehalvi
First of all i would like to thank Sadia Dehlavi that she is promoting my
mission of composite culture and heritage of India and specially through her
writings for example this book. Although I have not read this book but according
to the book reviews that i have read I will definately read this book. I invite
Sadia to work togather in this mission and noble cause.
I am doing research on world famous Sufi, Poet,
Philosopher, Historian, Polyglot, Lexicographer, Linguistic, Astronomer,
Astrologer,Warrior and Musician Hzt Amir Khusro, a great Symbol of Hindu- Muslim
Unity.
I have a collection of about 200 books on Amir Khusro in
Persian Pushto, Dari, Urdu, Russian, English, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi etc from
all over the world. I have also collected rare audio and vedio collection of
Amir Khusros Music and also rare paintings of Amir Khusro and his guru Hzt
Nizamuddin Auliya. I am trying to bring all persian works and books of Amir
Khusro in English, Hindi, Urdu and other major languages of India and the world
through translation. I got success in translating Masnavi Nuh Sepher and Masnavi
Dewal Rani Khizr Khan etc.
I am collecting material on Amir Khusro from all over the world in
the form of Books, Paintings of Amir Khusro, Magazines Khusro Number, Audio /
Vedio recordings of Amir Khusros Songs and Music. I do not have any books on
Amir Khusro from Pakistan.Please help me in collecting in these books. These
books are
of three types.
1 Persian books written by Amir Khusro like Nuh
Sepher, Dewal Rani Khizr Khan, Ejaj-e-Khusravi,
Kazainul Futuh, Matla ul Anwaar, Aaina-e-Sikandari, Laila wa
Majnu, Shiri wa Khusro, Tughlaqnamah, Diwan Ghurt ul Kamal,Qiran
us Sadain, Baqiya Naqiya, Diwan Tuhfatusigra,Miftaulfutuh,
Afzalulfawayad, Rahtulmuhabin, Khaliq-e-Bari, Qissa
Chahar Dervesh, Dwan-e-Amir Khusro etc.
1a Books written on Amir Khusro in the past 400 years till date specially
modern writers.
1b Books written during the period of Amir
Khusro by his contemporarys and few 100 years after the death of
Amir Khusro in which they have mentioned about Life, Time
and Works of Amir Khusro like Tarikh-e-Firozshahi by
Ziauddin Barni, Sair ul Auliya, Khair ul Majalis, Muntaqabut
Tawariqh, Safinatul Auliya, Tarikh-e-Farishta, Miratul Asrar,Tabqat-e-Akbari,
Tahqiqul Istalahaat,Tazqira-e-Arafaat, Tazkira Siyarul Aarifin, Makhzan Al
Asrar, Tabqat-e-Nasiri, Tazqiratul Shuara, Raag Darpan,Akhbaar ul Akhiyaar etc.
2 Urdu, English and Hindi Translations of
Persian works of Amir Khusro.
3 Urdu, English and Hindi translations of
Persian Ghazals of Amir Khusro.
4 Recordings of Persians and Hindavi Songs and
Ghazals and Qawwalis of Amir Khusro in Audio- Vedio
Cds and Tapes.
5 Paintings of Amir Khusro and Hzt
Nizamuddin Auliya.
6 Names and Address of Research Scholars
conducting research on Amir Khusro.
7 Names of Manuscripts of Amir Khusros works with Accession No in
different
Museums,Libraries,Khanquas, Madarsas, Universities, Institutes,
Academys,Private
I want A persian book known as Noor ul Haq by Noor ul Aein
written on Life on Amir Khusro. It
was published in Pakistan. Its manuscript is in Punjab University library.
I also want English Translation of a persian book known as Chehal Roz
written by Devgiri Rajkumar Herdev ie Ahmad Ayaaz is published from Pakistan by
the name The Diary of Rajkumar Herdev in English
collection etc.
I am collecting the Hindavi / Khari Boli
Poetry of Amir Khusro from various sources. ( Written and Oral).
I am working for Times of India N.I.E Department as Art, Culture and
Heritage Consultant and Freelance Journalist and Writer, writing articles on
Composite culture and heritage of India, Hindu- Muslim Unity, Sufism, Amir
Khusro etc.
I hope you will help me in this regard.
Friend of Allah
Thanking You
Pradeep Sharma Khusro
Journalist, Poet and Writer
R.P 40 Maurya Enclave Pitampura Near T.V Tower Delhi, India -11008 P H
- 09868601317
Friend Of Allah
Dear Sir/ Madam/Friend
Please
forward this message to
all the persons you know in Pakistan, Iran, Tazakistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakistan,
Turkmenistan, Azerbaizaan, America, London, Afganistan and all other central
Asian countries and India . Request them to go to the go to the Persian, Urdu,
History and Music departments of the Universities in their countries or
states and meet their head and other professors and ask them that whether they
have conducted any research or published any book on Hindu Muslim Unity or Amir
Khusro. Also ask that that if any student has done his Phd or M Phil degree on
Amir Khusro or any topic releted to Hindu Muslim
Unity. Please take the mobile , landline phone with telephone code number and
E mail ID of all the professors and tell them about me that I am conducting
research on Hindu Muslim unity and Hzt Amir Khusro and Sufism.
7 July
2010
Pradeep Sharma Khusro
MY E MAIL : amirkhusrou1@yahoo.co.in,
ragdarpan@gmail.com
happy eid sadia ji god bless you with peace and humanity
[...] http://www.razarumi.com/2009/05/02/sadia-dehlvis-book-sufism-the... [...]
kya yeh aurat muslim hai? kahin se to dikhti nahin? allah Aplogon ko hidayat de ameen
I would have bought this book, if she had dress like a muslim woman.
kindly send me a copy of the book. i am currently doing research in arabic, specialising in shafat and wilayat
dr. qadri
Bismillahir Rahmannir Raheem ~ In the Name of Allah Almighty, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful.
Assalamu’alaikum, Shalom and Greetings.
I am a single Syed Ismaili Muslim male 43 and am of Indo-Iranian descent.
Over the years Allah the Most High has made me to have major spiritual and mystical experiences which seems to be directly connected to the return of Jesus Christ or Hadrat Isa (as) as the world savior. Based on my personal understanding of the esoteric meanings of these experiences, I am pasting below an article along with copy of the email I received in response to these experiences.
With love and blessings,
Brother Naushad Somji.
naushadsomjee43@gmail.com
————————————————————
The scriptures of many religions speak of a coming leader who will consummate the fulfillment of the divine will on earth. He will manifest in his person the righteousness and compassion of God, and he will bring about the final defeat of evil, and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. This person who will be specially chosen by God for this mission and empowered to accomplish it. Prophecies that a leader will come and accomplish such a mission are nearly universal.
Religions call him by various names: Jews long for the promised Messiah; for Christians the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth, who has already come and ascended to heaven but will reappear (perhaps in a new guise) at his Second Coming. Muslims also expect the second advent of Jesus, who will come as a Muslim Imam, and among Shiite Muslims there are various expectations of a future Imam Mahdi. Buddhist sutras prophesy the coming of the Maitreya Buddha; Vaishnavite Hindu scriptures prophesy the future descent of an avatar named Kalki; Zoroastrian scriptures prophesy the coming of the Saoshyant; and some Confucian texts speak of a future True Man who will finally bring peace to the world by perfectly instituting the Way of Confucius.
In 1997 when I was 30, Hadrat Imam Ali (as) appeared to me in resurrected form at the Holy Shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty (ra) at Ajmershareef. He looked into my eyes, smiled and went away. This opened my heart and my spiritual journey began. I started to isolate myself from people and my personality changed completely. Thereafter I experienced the divine knowledge of Allah gradually entering my heart and soul and I became very religious.
Since then I have been meeting many dead Islamic Saints who have also appeared to me in their resurrected forms.A few years after my experience at Ajmeershareef, Hadrat Syed Badruddin Shah Hussani (rh) appeared to me also in resurrected form. He prayed over a glass of water and made me drink it, thus making me his mureed or disciple. He came to India some 1000 years ago and was martyred. His head is buried at the Holy Shrine in the jungle near the town of Pen, in the state of Maharashtra. He nevertheless continued his fight for the cause of Allah despite the head being severed from his body. His body is buried in the town of Parandha in Maharashtra, an eight hour drive from Pen.
Two months later, Hazrat Syed Khwaja Muinuddin Chisty (ra) appeared to me in resurrected form. He gave me a fruit to eat and said that he was giving me the Khilafaat, the position as leader and spiritual master. I was told by him that I have a pure soul and that I will over the years work as a guru for people of all relegions and they will call me a Messiah then.
Of all my meetings with the Holy men of Islam, the most remarkable was with Prophet Mohammad (saw) who appeared to me along with Hadrat Imam Ali (as) and three more men whom I did not recognize. Prophet Mohammad (saw) led us all in afternoon prayers, and then we had lunch, all eating from the same big plate. After the lunch as the Prophet (saw) was leaving he shook hands with me with a big smile and I kissed his hands respectfully.
This could be connected to the awaited Mahdi.
“The promised Mahdi will be among my family. God will make the provisions for his emergence within a single night “…… (Islam. Ibn Majah, Sahih, Vol. 2, P. 519)
Lated on I got baptised by a Christian Preist and during this the Preist saw a bright light descending on my person and then entering my soul as a small flame of light. Even I felt something powerful entering my heart that time. Thereafter major spiritual changes began to change place with me. There are at times I could do the kind of healing that Jesus Christ did during his time. Also, I have got the power to forgive sins and whenever I viist graveyards thousands of souls would approach me for prayers to have thier sins forgiven. They would not leave me unless I prayed for them. When Pope John Paul 2 died, his soul came to me in the astral body and asked me to pray for him. He said master master please help me. Few days later on when President Yasser Arafat died, his soul also approached me and he said that he did not want anything for himself but rather he asked me to help his fellow humans in Palestine who are in great trouble.
This could be connected the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
“What would be your situation if the Son of Mary (Jesus) descends upon you and your Imam (Mahdi) is from among you”? ………..(Islam. Bukhari, kitabul-Anbiya, Chapter Nuzul Isa bin Maryam)
Two years ago I suddenly got a pull to visit the Holy Shrine of Hadrat Shirdi Sai Baba (rh). Since then Baba has been guiding and protecting me and he calls me his son. During one such visit at the Temple of Hadrat Shirdi Sai Baba (rh) I saw a white ball of light approaching me from the right side during night aarti. When the aarti ritual was over, this white ball of light moved away. Recently Baba has informaed me that this ball has been put into my heart by him and because of this over the period of time I will become spiritually one with God the Most High an Avatar !!
This could be connected to the Kalki Avtaar .
“Whenever the Law declines and the purpose of life is forgotten, I manifest myself on earth. I am born in every age to protect the good, to destroy evil, and to reestablish the Law” ………………… ( Hinduism. Bhagavad Gita 4.7-8.)
All these 3 powers ~ Mahdi, Messiah and Avtaar combined make up the world savior.
The world savior is destined to save the mankind from the rigors of today. The day to day lowering of human values, humans behaving more like a vicious animal (it is ironic sometimes it is difficult to distinguish human beings from animals), the breaking up of relationships between the family members, between communities and on larger scale the countries has become the order of the day. Such a one fully prepared and powered to address the ills of today head-on shall be known as Mahdi / Messiah / Kalki, etc … one who shall annihilate the ills of today and make the humanity step forward towards a new golden era… the Satyuga (the golden period). He shall be one who makes dharma or pure relegion prevail over numerous other corrupted religions followed world-wide. To uplift mankind from existing level is possible only for one person… a true incarnate of Almighty God himself. None other than an incarnate of the omnipotent can achieve this feat. One who brings all countries on a common platform… can only be the deliverer! The world savior would also be termed as Yuga avatar… the starter of a Yuga (a new era or golden age). The society as of today awaits the coming of this savior ! Call him the Messiah of the masses or the downtrodden denizens of the society… coming of this world savior would be a boon to the mankind at large!
My case is in some ways similar to that of Prophet Younas (as) as mentioned in the Holy Quran. He was called by Allah the Most High for a divine mission but initially chose to run away from it. Many times over the years I too have tried to avoid getting too deeply into spiritual and religious things and have tried my level best to lead a normal life. But every time I tried to do that, Allah the Most High would pull me back into it and this has happened several times during the past few years. Since I could not run away from Allah’s call, I had no option but to submit humbly to it.
————————————————————
Dear Brother Naushad Somji,
Thanks for your kind mail. Certainly you are a blessed soul. I am very happy to read about the experiences you have undergone. Strange are the ways of the Almighty and He alone knows about His scheme of things. Nothing is impossible for Him to do. Yes He can make a person a Messiah in one night as He did with the Prophet. My personal opinion is that one should leave oneself in His hands and pray Him for His grace. He alone Knows what He wants to do.
I have read your book completely. It appears that the God Almighty has chosen you for some special work. The mystery would unfold in due course. I pray that you prove His worthy instrument. It also appears to me that you should pray “Thy Will Be Done”. I am sure He would reveal His Will and lead you to the work for which He has so kindly chosen you. My prayers for you. May the Great Masters help you in your mission.
With Kind Regards,
R K Gupta
Respected Raza Romi
Thanks for being kind enough to launch such a site where people can have an access to read and obtain books about Sufism the glorious peaceful religion Philosophy of the world. We are running free independent library, by name of “Mother of Civilization” which is greatly in need of some books on subject of Sufism our interest lies in contributing towards preserving the great Sufi literature.
Therefore, we would humbly appeal you to kindly donate us some books on Sufism in which The Sufi Path of Love,Sadia Dehlvi’s book, Sufism The Heart of Islam the Spiritual Teachings of Mystics. Sufism or Mysticism, Sufi Concepts, the Way of Sufi, And Sufi Meditation, Remembrance of God Sufi Association: Meditation, Principles of the Sufism or if you have any other books on Sufism. Unfortunately, we are unable to purchase these books due to lack of resources and ordering them online would be too expensive. We sure your contribution towards this cause will make a significant difference in helping those enthusiastic readers who have the thirst for Knowledge and would go a long way in motivating our fellow about this great religious Philosophy of the world.
We hope you will brood over our humble supplication with glance of appreciation and may donate us the above material in hard copies. For this act of kindness we shall remain your indebted.
Thanking you Sir
Yours sincerely
Muhammad Rashid Anees
Our postal address:
Mother of Civilization Library
House # 44/1, sheet # 23
Near 9C Stop Model Colony
Malir Town Karachi Sindh
Pakistan.
nice
I have bought ur booked today n i really liked it i was looking for this kind of book for ages.
Thank you Sadiajiii Appreciate that !!!
please also see poetry by Ala hazrat Imam Ahmed Raza Khan RA.
Yesterday an article was published in the Telegraph(Calcutta). Mr Khushwant Singh has opined that your book is most valuable as far as the mysticism and roohaniyat is concerned. I think you deserve strong appreciation for bringing out such an essential book with literary flavour.I know you from the days of ‘Bano’ and I’m conversant with your writing calibre. Mr Singh has narrated you brief story in his unconventional style. I pray for your well being and welfare. I venture to hope that I will be able to read your book “Sufism:The Heart of Islam” very soon if it is made available. Ramazan Mubarak, Nasim Azizi, August 07,2011
Assalamuwalikum
Saida Ji i am very much fan of urs
in E-Tv Urdu i have seen the Interview
u r views and taughts are very good….
i need the book written by you. Sufism : Heart of Islam and one book written by name Siyaral-arifin published in 1893 by Matba Rizvi in Delhi written in Urdu i had tryed it to get but i dint find the exact address. please cau u help me out…
For which kind of action i shall every thankful to u
shabbir
from Hyderabad
Sadia Delhvi