Sufi roots in the Western land 

Nahla Abdel-Monem

Before his death in May 2018 at 77, Professor John Hinelles of theology at Derby College in Britain had published several books and studies, which are widely regarded as an interesting journey through the history of religions, their rituals and how their followers were keenly observing them.

Hinelles’ immense knowledge of religion-borne spirituality prompted him to write the book “Sufism in the West”, in collaboration with Jamal Malik, professor of Islamic studies at Erfurt University in Germany. The 9-chapter book highlights studies by Western researchers and historians to trace the history and the development of Sufism and its related rituals in the West. The book also debates which the Sufi sect, which influenced more greatly than others Muslims living in European liberal and secular societies.

According to “Sufism in the West”,  Sufism gained popularity in the community of the descendants of Muslim migrants in the US and Europe, who were influenced by the writings of spiritual guru Galal-ul-Din al-Rumi (1207-1273), the founder of Sunni-related Sufi school popular as Maulwiya. According to its rituals, dervishes loyal to Maulwiya chant zekr (spiritual odes) as they gyrate in a circle to the music being played by a flutist.

Western philosophers identify Sufism as the mysterious dimension of Islam. According to Hillenes’ 224-page book, Sufi sects, which had the biggest share in the enhancement of spirituality in Western societies include The International Sufi Order, a spiritual movement imported in 1910 from India by Pir Vilayat Nayat Khan International. ISO’s leadership was bequeathed to his son Pir Zia; who drew much attention in Britain.

Trailblazers in the landscape of Sufism in the West also included Idrish Shah (1924-1996), an India-born Afghani hermit, who migrated to Britain.  Sufism was broadcast in the US at the hands of Muzafar Uzak (1916-1985), who was the 19^th heir of the Sufi school called the Halveti-Jerrahi Order of Dervishes.

Hillens’ book, nonetheless, acknowledges Al-Naqshabandiyah sect, which was established by Mohamed Bahaa-Eddin el-Naqshabandi, as one of the most popular Sufi sect in Europe and the US. Thanks to Turkish outreach centres and charity organizations in Germany, a Sufi school called Al-Mugadadiya inspired by Al-Naqshabandiyah gained popularity in Germany. In addition to Al-Mugadadiyah, Al-Naqshabandiyah-linked Sufi sects included Al-Tiganiyah, Al-Muwloiyah and Al-Gashtiyah.

Hazrat Inayat Khan

The two authors of “Sufism in the West” discovered that only two Sufi sects were reverberated in the US. The first, the book explains, was formed by Muslim migrants, who remained nostalgic about their life in their motherlands. The second was celebrating existentialism.

In their book, Hillens and Jamal chronicles the development of Sufi activities in the US as follows:

A spark of Sufism was first felt in the US in 1900 during the occupation era. Tutors, who admired Inayat Khan, carried his spiritual messages and teachings with them when they returned to the homeland. Due to comparative studies in the field of religions and faiths in the 1960s and the 1970s at the hands of William James, Huston Smith and Sayed Hussein Nasr, spirituality gained bigger ground in the US.  In the meantime, growing activities by emancipation movements drew the attention of bigger number of amirers and followers of Sufism in the US.

“Sufism in the West” acknowledges Muslim merchants and traders, who were active in countries under the British occupation, for their role in setting up the tent of Sufism in this European country.  Pakistani migrants are given special credit in this book for helping Sufism have root in different British cities, especially Manchester.  Zekr , the book reveals, was organized regularly in mosques opened in Britain.

Social activities, such as marriage, which were supervised and managed by the Sufi sects in Britain, had a very positive impact on the popularity of Sufism there. Sufi sects were also acknowledged by their dervishes and admirers for the help they received to reconcile themselves to the codes of ethics and lifestyle in the West.