What were the ideals of Sufism?

During the eighth-ninth centuries some Muslim mystic came be known as ‘Sufis’. The word ‘Sufi’ literally means ‘wool’/The Sufis used to cover themselves up in woolen garments. Sufis were pious and sincere followers of Islam, who retired from the world to lead a life of abstinence and renunciation. And the spiritual activities of the Sufis are known as ‘Sufism’.

The Sufi saints had come from the Central and West Asia and settled in the region of Sind and Punjab. Gradually, they spread in the towns and villages all over the country.

The Sufis believed that the union with God could be achieved through love of God. The Sufis were men of deep religious feeling who laid great stress on the love of God.

Their stress on equality of man was also the reason why they were popular both with the Hindus and the Muslims. Indeed, the universal appeal of Sufism helped to create an atmosphere in which the Hindus and the Muslims could come closer.

In the 12th century there were three chief orders (or Silsilahs) of the Sufis in India such as: Chisti, Auliya and Suhrawardy.

Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti was the founder of the Chisti order of the Sufis. The Chisti order gained popularity during the time of Akbar.