Maizbhandari Sufi Music: A Study from Islamic Perspective

Abstract

Sufis spread Islam worldwide through 'love', the essence of Islam. Sufi Music is a type of music that is composed around the Sufis' divine love and rapture. Sufi music has been known under various names and forms over time for example, - ‘Mystic Music’, ‘Qawwali Song’, ‘Lalan Geeti’ etc. Similarly, this form of music has been known as Maizbhandari Sufi Music from the time of Gauth al-Azam Hazrat Maulana Shah Sufi Syed Ahmad Ullah (R.). Although this form of music has been known as Maizbhandari music, it is actually Sufi music. Sufi music and Maizbhandari Sufi music have the same characteristics. Maizbhandari Sufi music is unique in that it is the most recent independent version of Sufi music. The Quran and Hadith validate the lyrics of the Maizbhandari Sufi songs, which arouses love for Allah. Due to a lack of awareness regarding Sufi songs and Maizbhandari Sufi songs, some people are spreading false information, claiming that these types of songs are not permitted under Islamic legislation. The purpose of this study is to show that the Maizbhandari Sufi songs do not contradict the Quran, Hadith, Ijma, and Qiyas, rather is supported by the four Sharia jurisprudence and it is a technique of scientific approach for attracting people to the way of Allah. The data have been collected from books, journals, and periodicals and analyzed using the qualitative research approach to verify the Maizbhandari Sufi songs. The findings of the study reveal that Maizbhandari Sufi music is approved by Islamic Sharia and when it is practiced, divine love is aroused in the heart of the travelers on the path of Allah. Hopefully, the truth-seeking human community will find the proper way in regards to Maizbhandari Sufi music through this study.