Suhrawardi Tariqah
The Suhrawardi Tariqah is an Orthodox Sufi order founded by Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi in Baghdad during the twelfth century. This aristocratic order was closely tied to religious scholars (ulama), the Abbasid court, wealth, and urban living. It was oriented toward classical Sufi doctrine and adhered to the Shafi’i school of Islamic law. The order emphasized canonical prayer, fasting during Ramadan, preservation of the Prophetic tradition, and the doctrinal superiority of prophethood over sainthood.
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: الطريقة السهروردية (At-Tariqah As-Suhrawardiyyah)
- Turkish: Süreverdi Tarikatı
Characteristics
- Founding and Spread: The order was founded by Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi in 12th-century Baghdad and gained widespread influence, particularly in India and Kashmir.
- Religious Practices: The order emphasized core Islamic practices such as canonical prayer and fasting during Ramadan, alongside preserving the Prophetic traditions.
- Legal Alignment: It was aligned with the Shafi’i school of Islamic jurisprudence.
- Distinctions: Unlike some other Sufi orders, the Suhrawardi Tariqah rejected music, poetry, and the practice of prostration before the head of the order. It maintained a strict orthodoxy, leaning towards rigorous adherence to Islamic law and theology.
- Political Role: They played a mediatory role between the Delhi Sultanate and tribal communities.
- Controversial Practices: The order supported the forced conversion of Hindus and Buddhists.
Influence and Legacy
The Suhrawardi Tariqah notably inspired the sixteenth-century reformer Ahmad Sirhindi and later reformers in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. These reformers upheld the order’s orthodoxy and sought to revive strict Islamic practices amidst various societal shifts.
Recommended Books for Further Study
- “The Suhrawardi Sufis: Tradition, Order, and Survival” by Marc Gaborieau
- “Islamic Sainthood in the Fullness of Time: Ibn al-Arabi’s Book of the Fabulous Gryphon” by Gerald T. Elmore
- “Islamic Dynasties of South Asia” by Abdur Rashid
- “The Biographical Encyclopaedia of Islamic Philosophy” edited by Oliver Leaman
Takeaways
- The Suhrawardi Tariqah is a key example of traditional, orthodox Sufism integrated within the broader context of Islamic scholastic and political frameworks.
- Its practices and doctrines reflect a significant bridging of academic and mystical Islamic traditions, particularly within urban and courtly environments.
- The order’s influence on later Islamic reform movements underscores its lasting theological and sociopolitical impact.
Conclusion
The Suhrawardi Tariqah represents a unique blend of Sufi mysticism and Islamic orthodoxy, committed to upholding traditional Islamic law and core religious practices. Its influence through subsequent centuries highlights its significant role in shaping both Sufi practices and broader Islamic reform movements.
