Chishti Order

The Chishti order is a prominent Sufi brotherhood within Sunni Islam.

This mystical tradition is defined by its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness. It is one of the four major Sufi orders in South Asia. These other established orders include the Qadiri, Naqshbandi, and Suhrawardi. While many Sufi groups exist, the Chishti order has remained a highly influential spiritual lineage since the 12th century. It is primarily followed in Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent, though it has since expanded globally.

Devotees of the Chishti way follow five specific devotional practices known as dhikr. These practices are designed to help the follower connect with the Divine. The first is dhikr-i jali, which involves reciting the names of Allah loudly while sitting in a prescribed posture. The second is dhikr-i khafi, which is the silent recitation of Allah's names. The third practice is pās-i anfās, or the regulation of the breath. The fourth is murā-ḳāba, which is deep absorption in meditation on the Divine. Finally, followers may practice čilla, which is spiritual confinement in a lonely cell for forty days or more for prayer and contemplation.

Spiritual practice in the order often includes a unique method called Sama. Sama is the act of evoking the divine presence through music and poetry. This often takes the form of Qawwali, a specific style of musical performance.

The Chishti believe that Sama helps devotees lose their sense of self in the love of Allah. However, there has been historical debate regarding this practice. Some members of the Qadiri order have argued that Moinuddin Chishti never permitted musical instruments. Despite these debates, the use of music remains a notable characteristic of many Chishti traditions.

Chishti leaders, known as shaykhs, follow strict guidelines regarding worldly power. They believe that staying away from matters of state is necessary to prevent the soul from being corrupted. A shaykh might interact with a ruler, but they treat the ruler as just another devotee. They generally avoid attending royal courts or participating in government affairs. This distance from political power is a core principle of their spiritual discipline. By avoiding worldly distractions, they aim to maintain a pure focus on their faith.

The order traces a long spiritual lineage, or silsila, back to the Prophet Muhammad. Most Sufi orders, including the Chishti, trace their origins to 'Alī ibn Abī Ṭālib, the cousin of Muhammad. The specific Chishti lineage includes many important figures, such as Al-Ḥasan al-Baṣrī and Ibrāhīm ibn Adham. The order proper was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami in the town of Chisht, located about 95 miles east of Herat in present-day Afghanistan.

Shami trained the descendants of a local emir, creating a regional mystical order that eventually spread far beyond its origins.

Mu'in al-Din Chishti was a pivotal figure who brought the order to South Asia. Born in eastern Persia around 1141 CE, he became a hafiz by memorizing the Qur'an at age nine. After selling his family's property to give to the poor, he studied under the shaykh Usman Harooni. He eventually settled in Ajmer, India, where he died.

His tomb, the Dargah Sharif, remains a massive site for pilgrimage. Following the leader Farīduddīn Mas'ūd, the order eventually split into two main branches: the Chishtī Sabri and the Chishtī Nizami. The Nizami branch, following Nizamuddin Auliya, was responsible for spreading the order throughout the Indian Peninsula.

Historically, the Chishti order held significant social and political connections. From the 14th century onward, various Muslim kingdoms, such as the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal dynasty, associated themselves with Chishti shaykhs. Rulers often sought the blessings of these saints to bring good fortune or legitimacy to their reigns. For example, fourteen successive Bengal Sultans considered the saint 'Ala Al-Haq to be their spiritual master. In the 20th century, the order expanded significantly outside of South Asia. Today, Chishti teachers have established centers in the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa.