Sufism, known as Tasawwuf in the Arabic-speaking world, is a form of Islamic mysticism that emphasizes introspection and spiritual closeness with God. About 60% of Muslims in Pakistan regard themselves as followers of Sufi saints.
Sufi traditions
Most of the Sufis in Pakistan relate to the four main tariqa (silsila): Chishti, Naqshbandi, Qadiri-Razzaqi and Suhrawardi.
Chishti Sufism holds that the experience of remembering God is experienced with so much intensity that the soul is destroyed and resurrected. Its traditions include humanitarian work and community service including providing shelter, food, and medical aid to the needy, regardless of their religious or social backgrounds.
List of Sufi Shrines
Contemporary influence There are two levels of Sufism in Pakistan. The first is the 'populist Sufism' of the rural population. This level of Sufism involves belief in intercession through saints, veneration of their shrines and forming bonds with a pir (spiritual guide). Many rural Pakistani Muslims associate with pirs and seek their intercession. The second level of Sufism in Pakistan is 'intellectual Sufism' which is growing among the urban and educated population. They are influenced by the writings of Sufis such as the medieval theologian al-Ghazali, the Sufi reformer Shaykh Aḥmad Sirhindi and Shah Wali Allah.
Attacks on Sufi shrines Since March 2005, 209 people have been killed and 560 injured in 29 different terrorist attacks targeting shrines devoted to Sufi saints in Pakistan, according to data compiled by the Center for Islamic Research Collaboration and Learning (CIRCLe).a think-tank based in Rawalpindi The attacks are generally attributed to banned militant organisations.| criticalppp.com| Let Us Build Pakistan
The Sehwan Sharif shrine was the site of a suicide bombing in 2017 carried out by the Islamic State.
See also Islam in Pakistan Sufism in Punjab Sufism in Sindh List of Sufi saints Shadhiliyya Kubrawiyyah
References
Bibliography De Bruijn, The Qalandariyyat in Persian Mystical Poetry from Sana'i, in The Heritage of Sufism, 2003. Ashk Dahlén, The Holy Fool in Medieval Islam: The Qalandariyat of Fakhr al-din Araqi, Orientalia Suecana, vol.52, 2004. Chopra, R. M., "Great Sufi Poets of the Punjab", 1999, Iran Society, Calcutta. Chopra, R. M., "SUFISM" (Origin, Growth, Eclipse, Resurgence), 2016, Anuradha Prakashan, New Delhi, .
External links The Islam That Hard-Liners Hate Pakistan's Sufis Preach Faith and Ecstasy Sufism in Pakistan – the tolerant antidote? Mystical Islam 'under threat' in Pakistan Steeped in ancient mysticism, the passion of Pakistani Sufis infuriates Taliban The Sufis of India and Pakistan Sufism and Pakistani society Why are they targeting the Sufis? /Sufism-in-Punjab/Sufis faced threatening from punjabi Taliban in Punjab Difficulties faced by Sufism in Pakistan