afghanistan
The Qadiriyya Order, founded by the Persian Sufi ‘Abd al-Qadir Gilani,
or Jailani, in the late eleventh century, is mostly found among Arab Muslims.
In the late seventeenth century a pir of this tariqa moved to Afghanistan and
many Pushtun tribes became affiliates of this Order. Later, the Gilani pirs
intermarried with the Durrani royal house and played an important role
in legitimizing the dynasty. Unlike the Naqshbandiyya, where membership
is a matter of individual choice, in the Qadiriyya tradition the heads of the
tribes pledge allegiance to the pir on behalf of their clan.
The Chishtiyya derives its name from the settlement of the same
name in the upper Hari Rud, where the mausoleums of early shaikhs can
still be seen. The Order, founded in the tenth century, was introduced to
northern India by Sayyid Muin al-Din Chishti, known as Gharib Nawaz,
Benefactor of the Poor. The Mughals were devotees of the Chishtis and
lavished royal patronage on Gharib Nawaz’s mausoleum and langar khana
in Ajmer. Unlike other tariqas in Afghanistan, the Chishtis employ music,
dance, hymns and poetry in a ritual known as sama. Non-Muslims are also
welcome to observe their rituals. The Chishtis emphasize ministry to the
poor, and their langar khanas provide free food for the poor and vulner-
able. The main Chishti centres in Afghanistan are Mazar-i Sharif, Badghis,
Herat, Kabul and southeastern Afghanistan.
While many Afghans are not formally affiliated to any tariqa, Sufism
still has a powerful influence through the medium of Persian, Pushtu
and Turkic poetry, popular music and folklore. There are many freelance
mystics, known as faqirs or malangs, who operate on the fringes of religious
orthodoxy. Some are peripatetic, others take up residence in a local shrine,
where they live off the charity of local people or sell tawiz – charms that
protect against misfortune and illness, that provide protection in battle,
or ensure good fortune in love and marriage. There are less public figures,
men and women, who practise the forbidden art of jadugari – witchcraft,
necromancy and communication with spirits.
Shrines, or ziyarats, are another important element in the religious life
of Afghans. These vary from major edifices to sacred trees, caves, springs
or unusual geological formations. Some ziyarats are dedicated to major
figures of early Islam and shrines to ‘Ali b. Abi Talib, known as Shah-i
Mardan, King of Men, are popular and found throughout the country, even
though he never set foot in Afghanistan. There are also many legends asso-
ciated with Shah-i Mardan, his horse and his split-bladed sword known as
Zu’l-fiqar. The famous shrine of Guzargah in Herat is built over the grave
of Khwaja ‘Abd Allah Ansari (b. 1006), a well-known exponent of Islamic
jurisprudence and author of a popular devotional work, the Munajat Nama.
nandana
(Nandana)
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