Shrines of Sufi saints can be found allover Pakistan. These Sufis are singularly credited for the spread of Islam in the sub-continent. Their teachings and poetry speak of love for mankind and of finding God among simple things in life. These Sufis, and not the great Muslim conquerors, are the primary source of inspiration for the millions of commoners who embraced Islam thus making Islam the second largest religion in the sub-continent.
Presently, the shrines of these great Sufis have become a place of superstition, exploitation and a place for drug users and beggars. By leaving these shrines to their keepers, who pass on their position to their next generation, these have become a place for the occult. These shrines have now become places where simple and illiterate people go to solve their problems by offering prayers to these Sufis and asking for their help but many of them are led to a path not subscribed by Islam.
There are many who link Sufism to spirituality while critics point out that it is not main stream Islam. But the fact remains that we have completely forgotten what these great people preached through teachings, personal behavior and through their simple poetry yet there are millions who throng these shrines and attend the annual celebrations.
The true Sufi spirit still lives on through the poetry of these great men, which is sung today by folk singes of Pakistan. Singers like Abida Parveen have taken this genre of music to new heights which is now well recognized allover the world. The Sufi music of Pakistan has inspired literally millions through the ages and has now inspired a whole new generation of artists like Mikaal Hasan Band. These budding artists are now taking the Sufi music into mainstream through fusion; combination of western instruments along with eastern classical singing.
Life and work of these men of peace needs our attention so that these shrines can be turned into places of inspiration and meditation for all. These shrines need to have libraries where proper research work can be carried out and thus making these places not a refuge for the drug addicts but a place for learning.
We, Pakistanis owe a lot to these Sufis and we still need to find meanings to the words these men of pace and men of God.
Presently, the shrines of these great Sufis have become a place of superstition, exploitation and a place for drug users and beggars. By leaving these shrines to their keepers, who pass on their position to their next generation, these have become a place for the occult. These shrines have now become places where simple and illiterate people go to solve their problems by offering prayers to these Sufis and asking for their help but many of them are led to a path not subscribed by Islam.
There are many who link Sufism to spirituality while critics point out that it is not main stream Islam. But the fact remains that we have completely forgotten what these great people preached through teachings, personal behavior and through their simple poetry yet there are millions who throng these shrines and attend the annual celebrations.
The true Sufi spirit still lives on through the poetry of these great men, which is sung today by folk singes of Pakistan. Singers like Abida Parveen have taken this genre of music to new heights which is now well recognized allover the world. The Sufi music of Pakistan has inspired literally millions through the ages and has now inspired a whole new generation of artists like Mikaal Hasan Band. These budding artists are now taking the Sufi music into mainstream through fusion; combination of western instruments along with eastern classical singing.
Life and work of these men of peace needs our attention so that these shrines can be turned into places of inspiration and meditation for all. These shrines need to have libraries where proper research work can be carried out and thus making these places not a refuge for the drug addicts but a place for learning.
We, Pakistanis owe a lot to these Sufis and we still need to find meanings to the words these men of pace and men of God.
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