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Abstract
The flamboyant spread of Islam across the Indian Subcontinent was not through military expeditions, as the mainstream historical narration goes, rather it was via the ecstatic attraction of Sufism and other non-violent processes. The Islamic fabric of Sufism, mixing with contemporary customs, has contributed to build a stronger cohesion of society. In contrast to the currently turmoil-torn atmosphere of North Indian states, this amicable tradition of syncretism has been boldly established in the historic track of Ajmer, Rajasthan, with the arrival of Khwaja Gareeb Nawaaz Moinuddin Chisti in the early 13th century. As far as, current social milieu is concerned, these regions erupt with fire of militant separatism, political ultra-nationalism, or sometimes with hatred of alienation and minority discrimination. However, the Dargah vicinity of Khwaja Sheikh Muin al-Din Chisti, popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz, stands as a resilient realm of interfaith dialogue, pluralism, religious and cultural integration. All these factors effectively help as healing panacea to currently prevailing politically caused social and communal minaces that spoil the beauty of India hued with multiculturalism. In addition, it has been an enigmatic center which is ‘marked out to manifest’ the true representation of Islam by brushing aside the bleak images in a global level painted illicitly after the 9/11 and 26/11 events. Multiple interfaith dialogues and intellectual sittings taking place in the Darga corridor have resulted in exchange of cultural hues with the bond of humanity across the country and continues as a chain (silsila) to the times down. Even promoting Bhakti and spirituality, the integrated sufism of Khwaja released a counter force of tranquility against hatred, intolerance and communism. With these viewpoints, this work delves into exploring the dimensional aspects of Sufism featured by the Ajmer Khwaja which led to rapid acceptability of Islam overpassing all barriers of diversities. In addition, the analysis tries to shed light on the enigmatic influences of Khwaja’s spirituality and its pragmatic vitality for solace of all the modern times’ woes.
Keywords: Sufism, Islam, Khwaja, interfaith dialogue, pluralism, communism
The abstract was accepted for Khidma: Academic Conference on Ajmer Khwaja and Sufi Islam: Piety, Poetics and Plurality, Jamia Madinathunnoor in collaboration with Ahdal Sadath for Study of Diasporic Sadats and Islamic Civilization, Poonoor Markaz Garden, 3 February 2023
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