Sufi Silsilas – Suhrawardi Order
Medieval History › Bhakti and Sufi Movement · Topic 5.9
The Suhrawardi order entered India about the same time as the Chishtis but was strongest in the Punjab and Multan. Its saints, among them Shaikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, Hamid-ud-Din Nagori and the missionary Bahauddin Zakariya of Multan, did not choose poverty, accepted state service and held posts in the ecclesiastical department, unlike the Chishtis.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · History · Bhakti and Sufi Movement
At a Glance
- Founder Abu al-Najib Suhrawardi (died 1168)
- In India Branches at Delhi, Multan and Bengal
- Strongest region Punjab and Multan
- Saints Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, Hamid-ud-Din Nagori, Bahauddin Zakariya
- Stance Accepted state service and wealth
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Medieval History: Bhakti and Sufi Movement
Where Does It Fit?
This is the ninth topic of the category on the Bhakti and Sufi movement. The previous topic covered the Chishti order, which the Suhrawardis contrasted with, and this topic completes the main Sufi silsilahs. The next topic covers the Sufi doctrine of the unity of being. Previous topic: Sufi Silsilas – Chishti Order (Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin Auliya).
What Was the Suhrawardi Order?
In short: the Suhrawardi order was a ba-shara order that entered India at about the same time as the Chishtis, was strongest in the Punjab and Multan, and worked with the state.
Of the ba-shara movements, only the Chishti and Suhrawardi orders gained significant influence in north India in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The Suhrawardi order was founded by Abu al-Najib Suhrawardi, who died in 1168, and was inspired by Junayd of Baghdad. It lacked a centralised structure and later split into branches. In India it was established by three disciples of Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi, with branches at Delhi, Bengal and Multan.
Who Were the Main Saints?
| Saint | Role |
|---|---|
| Shaikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi | Named among the best-known saints of the order |
| Hamid-ud-Din Nagori | Another well-known Suhrawardi saint |
| Bahauddin Zakariya of Multan | Described as the order’s most successful missionary in India |
| Jalal Surkh Bukhari | Founder of the Jalali branch |
The order was most prominent in Kashmir, and it had strong ties and influence with the Delhi Sultanate, the Gujarat Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.
How Did the Suhrawardis Differ from the Chishtis?
| Point | Chishti | Suhrawardi |
|---|---|---|
| Wealth | Lived in poverty | Did not believe in leading a life of poverty |
| State | Kept aloof from rulers and politics | Accepted service of the state; some held important posts in the ecclesiastical department |
| Region | Delhi, Ajmer, Hansi, then east and south | Largely the Punjab and Multan |
| Music | Sama with Hindi verses | Practice centred on dhikr and fasting |
Nevertheless both orders helped rulers in their own way by creating a climate of opinion in which people of different sects and religions could live in peace and harmony. While Mecca remained the holy of holies, the rise of popular saints provided a useful point of veneration and devotion for the mass of Muslims within the country.
Where Did the Order Stand Among the Many Sufi Groups?
Sufis were organised in about twelve orders, and these were divided into ba-shara orders that followed Islamic law and be-shara orders that did not. Both kinds existed in India, and the be-shara group was followed more by wandering saints who did not found orders but became figures of popular veneration for Hindus and Muslims alike. Of the ba-shara orders, only the Chishti and the Suhrawardi won a significant following in north India in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. The two orders came at about the same time, so their different styles shaped how Sufism related to the Sultanate from the start.
What Is the Timeline of the Suhrawardi Order?
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1168 | Death of the founder Abu al-Najib Suhrawardi |
| Twelfth to thirteenth century | Disciples of Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi bring the order to India |
| Thirteenth century | Branches active at Multan, Delhi and Bengal |
| Thirteenth and fourteenth centuries | Order gains a large following in north India with the Chishtis |
| Later | Strong influence under the Gujarat Sultanate and the Mughals; prominence in Kashmir |
What Was the Importance of the Order?
The Suhrawardi order shows that Sufism in India followed two models: one of distance from power and one of partnership with it. As an analytical point, the partnership model gave the order resources and links with the Sultanate, while the distance model gave the Chishtis wide popular respect. Together they carried the Sufi message to different social levels. Both groups also fed the wider Bhakti-Sufi encounter described in Interaction and Syncretism Between Bhakti and Sufi Traditions.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Contrast Chishti versus Suhrawardi is a standard Prelims comparison
- Statecraft Shows Sufi ties to rulers
- Regions Multan and the Punjab link
What Came Next?
The next topic covers the Sufi doctrine of Wahdat-ul-Wujud, the unity of being. Next topic: Concept of Wahdat-ul-Wujud in Sufi Philosophy.
Key People and Terms
- Suhrawardi Order founded by Abu al-Najib
- Bahauddin Zakariya Missionary at Multan
- Ba-shara Order following Islamic law
- Ecclesiastical department Religious department of the state
- Dhikr Remembrance of God
- Junayd Early Baghdad Sufi
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Active in the Punjab and Multan.
- Accepted state service.
- Bahauddin Zakariya of Multan.
- Chishtis chose poverty; Suhrawardis did not.
- Founder Abu al-Najib, died 1168.
Do Not Confuse With
- Suhrawardi and Chishti State-linked versus aloof
- Shihabuddin Suhrawardi and Abu al-Najib Later leader versus the founder
- Multan and Ajmer Suhrawardi centre versus Chishti centre
Memory Hook
Chishtis choose poverty, Suhrawardis take posts; Multan holds the second.
Mains Angle
Questions on the Suhrawardis ask for a comparison with the Chishtis. These points add depth.
- Contrast Wealth and state service
- Region Punjab and Multan
- Role Peace and harmony between communities
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Compare the Chishti and Suhrawardi silsilahs in medieval India.”
How to Answer
- Arrival Both about the same time.
- Contrast Poverty versus wealth; aloof versus state service.
- Regions Delhi and Ajmer versus Multan and Punjab.
- Common role Peace and harmony.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was the Suhrawardi order strongest in India?
The Suhrawardi order was strongest in the Punjab and Multan, with branches at Delhi and in Bengal, and it was also prominent in Kashmir. Bahauddin Zakariya of Multan was its most successful missionary in India.
How did the Suhrawardis differ from the Chishtis?
The Suhrawardis did not believe in leading a life of poverty and accepted state service, with some holding important posts in the ecclesiastical department. The Chishtis chose poverty and kept aloof from state politics and rulers.
Who founded the Suhrawardi order?
Abu al-Najib Suhrawardi, who died in 1168, founded the Suhrawardi order, which was inspired by Junayd of Baghdad. His follower Shihab al-Din Umar Suhrawardi had disciples who established the order in India, with branches at Delhi, Bengal and Multan.
Which rulers did the Suhrawardis have ties with?
The order had strong ties with and influence over the Delhi Sultanate, the Gujarat Sultanate and the Mughal Empire. Its saints often served as advisers or held religious posts in the state, which suited its more open attitude to state service.
Did the Suhrawardis help communal harmony?
Yes. Along with the Chishtis they helped rulers by creating a climate of opinion in which people of different sects and religions could live in peace and harmony, even though their ties with the state differed greatly.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Suhrawardi order was strongest in the Punjab and Multan.
It also had a branch in Bengal.
2 The Suhrawardi saints refused all service of the state.
They accepted state service.
3 Bahauddin Zakariya was a Suhrawardi saint of Multan.
He was its most successful missionary.
4 Nizamuddin Auliya was a Suhrawardi saint.
He was a Chishti.
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