Download or read book Sufi Poets of the Punjab Pakistan written by Muhammad Ashraf Chaudhri and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 254 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book GREAT SUFI POETS OF THE PUNJAB written by Mr R M CHOPRA and published by ANURADHA PRAKASHAN . This book was released on 2023-04-07 with total page 22 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: PREFACE Whenever I chanced upon to hear melodies of Punjabi Sufi poets sung by folk singers, qawwaals or other accomplished musicians, I was always fascinated by their mysticism, their professed love for the Divine Beloved, their sincerity of purpose, the simplicity of their language, down-to-earth similes, most appropriate metaphors to drive home a point, and, some times, I wondered how very rich these compositions were in content, which, in fact, spurred me on the undertake study of Punjabi Sufi poetry in greater detail. During the course of this study I was pleasantly surprised when, in my search, I came across a treasure-trove of Divine Knowledge and Spiritual Realisation of a high order. It was also learnt that how these Sufi poets exercised a profound influence in the lives of the people and were responsible to a great extent for evolving a composite culture of the Punjab. They not only led the vanguard of progress in Punjabi language and literature but also, by the nobility of their pious feelings and rhythmic rendition, inspired the people to seek the Divine Love. The history of the Punjab from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries has seen many storms and peaceful interludes. These vicissitudes are reflected in the poetry of the Sufis. The Sufis, in the process, contributed a great deal in maintaining mental equilibrium of diverse communities in troublous times in the medieval ages. Their friendly and tolerant utt4erances retained the favour of both the Hindus as well as the Muslims and influenced the people's thought and sent the message of peace, love, fellowship, understanding and amity to every home and hamlet. They bestowed a remarkable legacy of communal harmony for posterity. I have tried to capture the essence of Sufi sayings and elaborate them into this book with the hope that it may help others in understanding the great Punjabi Sufi poets of yore and their contribution to bringing about a spirit of solidarity amongst different communities. It is not in any way an exhaustive study of the subject. As the Punjabi poetry was written by the Sufis in Persian script and, to maintain authenticity and originality, the verses of the Sufi poets in the book have been printed in Persian, as also in Devnagari and Roman scripts for easy comprehension and wider understanding. As regards the translations, or transliterations as some would prefer to call them, I would like to mention that it is not possible to preserve in any translation or transliteration the inherent depth, beauty and charm of the original, but for the benefit of those who are not so well-acquainted with the Punjabi language it was considered necessary that explanations in the form of translation should be given. So an attempt has been made to give a sense atleast. Another object which has prompted me in writing this book is that after truncation of the Punjab. In the wake of partition of India into Bharat and Pakistan in 1947 A.D., the original sources of information, regrettably, are fast disappearing I felt that I must explore, exploit and, where still possible, preserve this information, before it is too late. To me the study of poetry of the great Punjabi Sufi poets has been a source of tremendous strength, happiness and satisfaction. In the pious, full of Love Divine and rhythmic poetry of the Sufis of the Punjab, I have always found gems of wisdom, high intellect, profound spiritualism, hidden advices, solace and glory of the Divine Beloved, which brings peace and tranquility upon mind and spirit. I can only hope that this book will enable many others to derive the same benefits. A comprehensive glossary deals with the Sufistic terms to be found in the book. I have prepared this glossary as a soft of Sufistic dictionary and attempted to give various meanings of the words which, I believe, will be found useful in allegorical interpretation of Sufistic terms. I take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to Dr. Syed Amir Hassan Abidi, Professor Emeritus, Department of Persian, University of Delhi, for favouring me greatly by writing a valuable 'Foreword' to this book. I am grateful to Iran Society of Calcutta, a premier literary society in eastern India, for undertaking the onerous task of publication of this book which is expected to be especially useful for all those who cherish and seek Love Divine. R.M. CHOPRA Calcutta August 1999
Download or read book Sufism in Punjab written by Surinder Singh and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2023-12-01 with total page 523 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This anthology is a collective endeavor of scholars from India and Pakistan devoted to Sufi mystics, literature and shrines with a detailed introduction. The essays explore the methods adopted by the Punjab Sufis to popularize the mystic ideology and praxis in the medieval socio-cultural milieu. These writings also delve into the different genres of Sufi literature, both in the elite and vernacular languages, intending to appreciate the nuances of Punjab Sufism. Apart from the architectural features of the Sufi shrines, the anthology attempts to illumine the organic linkages between these institutions and the Punjabis and, thus, underscore the Sufi non-communitarian devotion as a primary ingredient of the Punjabi cultural fusion. This title is co-published with Aakar Books. Print editions not for sale in South Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Bhutan)
Download or read book Prominent Mystic Poets of Punjab written by Locana Siṅgha Bak̲h̲ashī and published by . This book was released on 1994 with total page 176 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Anthology of Great Sufi and Mystical Poets of Pakistan written by Paul Smith and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-12-26 with total page 288 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Anthology of Great Sufi & Mystical Poets of Pakistan Translation & Introduction by Paul Smith CONTENTS: The Main Forms in the Sufi & Mystical Poetry of Pakistan... 7. Punjabi Sufi & Mystical Poets... 19. Baba Farid... 21, Guru Nanak... 49, Sultan Bahu... 69, Bulleh Shah... 85, Ali Haider... 115, Khwaja Farid... 125. Sindhi Sufi & Mystical Poets... 133. Shah Latif... 135, Sachal Sarmast... 157. Urdu Sufi & Mystical Poets...169. Iqbal... 171, Josh... 231, Faiz... 253. The correct rhyme-structure and meaning is in all these inspiring, beautiful, powerful poems. Pages 261. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "I have never seen such a good translation and I would like to write a book in Farsi and introduce his Introduction to Iranians." B. Khorramshai, Academy of Philosophy, Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of many works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 120 books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashto and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Iqbal, Shah Latif, Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Ghalib and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and many screenplays. www.newhumanitybooksbookheaven.com
Download or read book BULLEH SHAH PUNJABI SUFI POET Selected Poems written by Bulleh Shah and published by . This book was released on 2020-02-09 with total page 200 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: BULLEH SHAH: PUNJABI SUFI POET Selected Poems (Large Print & Large Format Edition) Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Bulleh Shah (1680-1758) was a Sufi poet who composed in Punjabi and settled in Kasur, now in Pakistan. His Spiritual Master was Shah Inayat. The poetic form Bulleh Shah is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus. His poetry and philosophy strongly criticizes the Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. His time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. But in that age Bulleh Shah was a beacon of hope and peace for the citizens of the Punjab. Several of his songs or kafis are still regarded as an integral part of the traditional repertoire of qawwali, the musical genre that represents the devotional music of the Sufis. Here is also a large selection of his dohas, single couplet rhyming poems. Introduction on his Life, Times & Poems & Influence and on Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry, Selected Bibliography. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these powerful, spiritual poems. Large Print (18pt), Large Format (8" x 10") Edition. 198 pages. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages, including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Jahan Khatun, Iqbal, Ghalib, Seemab, Jigar, Urfi and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays.
Download or read book Divan of Bulleh Shah written by Bulleh Shah and published by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform. This book was released on 2018-05 with total page 190 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: DIVAN OF BULLEH SHAH Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Bulleh Shah (1680-1758) was a Sufi poet who composed in Punjabi and settled in Kasur, now in Pakistan. His Spiritual Master was Shah Inayat. The poetic form Bulleh Shah is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus. His poetry and philosophy strongly criticizes the Islamic religious orthodoxy of his day. His time was marked with communal strife between Muslims and Sikhs. But in that age Bulleh Shah was a beacon of hope and peace for the citizens of the Punjab. Several of his songs or kafis are still regarded as an integral part of the traditional repertoire of qawwali, the musical genre that represents the devotional music of the Sufis. Here is also a large selection of his dohas, single couplet rhyming poems. Introduction on his Life, Times & Poems & Influence and on Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art & Use of Poetry, Selected Bibliography. The correct rhyme-structure has been kept as well as the beauty and meaning of these powerful, spiritual poems. Large Format Paperback 7" x 10" 190 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author of Hafiz). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages, including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Jahan Khatun, Iqbal, Ghalib, Seemab, Jigar, Dard, Zahir, Urfi and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays. www.newhumanitybooks.com
Download or read book Great Sufi Mystical Poets of Pakistan written by Paul Smith and published by . This book was released on 2020-11-28 with total page 294 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: GREAT SUFI & MYSTICAL POETS OF PAKISTAN An Anthology. Translation & Introduction Paul Smith. Contents: The Main Forms in the Sufi & Mystical Poetry of Pakistan (Including... The Sloka, The Masnavi, The Ruba'i, The Ghazal, The Qasida, The Qit'a, The Kafi, The Vakh, The Doha, The Abhang, The Bhajan... page 7. Punjabi Sufi & Mystical Poets... 19. Baba Farid... 21, Guru Nanak... 51, Sultan Bahu... 71, Bulleh Shah... 87, Ali Haider... 121, Khwaja Farid... 131. Sindhi Sufi & Mystical Poets... 139. Shah Latif... 141, Sachal Sarmast... 163. Urdu Sufi & Mystical Poets...175. Iqbal... 177, Josh... 261, Faiz... 283. The correct rhyme-structure and meaning is in all these inspiring, beautiful, powerful poems. Large Print (16pt) & Large Format (8" x 10") Edition. Pages 293. Comments on Paul Smith's Translation of Hafiz's 'Divan'. "It is not a joke... the English version of all the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished." Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "I have never seen such a good translation and I would like to write a book in Farsi and introduce his Introduction to Iranians." B. Khorramshai, Academy of Philosophy, Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator of many works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. Paul Smith (b.1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashto and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Iqbal, Shah Latif, Baba Farid, Bulleh Shah, Ghalib and many others, as well as poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and many screenplays. Published by New Humanity Books .amazon.com/author/smithpa
Download or read book Seven Shahs of Sufi Poetry Selected Poems written by Shah Ni'mat'ullah and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2018-11-21 with total page 582 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: SEVEN 'SHAHS' OF SUFI POETRY Selected Poems Mas'ud Shah, Shah Ni'mat'ullah, Shah Da'i, Qutub Shah, Shah Latif, Bulleh Shah & Nur 'Ali Shah Translation & Introduction Paul Smith Mas'ud Shah (1048-1122) originally came from Hamadan. In the beginning he was at the court of the prince of Ghazneh and governor of India Sayfu'-daula Mahmud and quickly progressed in wealth and honour. When he was forty he was thrown into prison after being wrongfully accused along with his patron of treachery by Sultan Ibrahim. He became a 'Servant of God' or a Sufi and a bit of a hermit. His famous Habsiyyat, (prison-songs) are among the most interesting poems in the Persian language. Shah Ni'mat'ullah (1330-1431) was the founder of an order of Sufis that is today the largest in Iran. As well as a Sufi Master he was a poet who at times used 'Sayyid' as his takhallus or pen-name. He was influenced by Ibn 'Arabi and Hafiz.. He composed many prose works on Sufism and his Divan contains over 13,000 couplets, mostly ghazals and ruba'is. Shah Da'i (1406-1464) was born and passed away in Shiraz. He was initiated into Sufism by Abu Ishaq Bahrami known as 'The Shaikh of Four Books', a leader or representative of Shah Ni'mat'ullah. Among Shah Dai's works are a number of risalahs (Essays) including interpretations of Koranic verses, a translation of a short work of Ibn 'Arabi. Qutub Shah (1565-1611) was the fifth sultan of the Qutub Shahi dynasty of Golconda in South India. He founded the city of Hyderabad. Qutub Shah was a scholar of Arabic and Persian. He wrote poetry in Urdu and Persian. Qutub Shah had the distinction of being the first Urdu poet and is credited with introducing a new sensibility into prevailing genres of Persian/Urdu poetry. He was also a mystic or Sufi poet. Shah Latif (1689-1752) was a Sufi Master and is considered by many to be the greatest poet of the Sindhi language. His book of poetry is called the Risalo. His shrine is located in Bhit and attracts hundreds of pilgrims every day. He is the most famous Sindhi poet and Sufi. Bulleh Shah (1680-1758) was a Sufi poet who composed in Punjabi and settled in Kasur, now in Pakistan. His Spiritual Master was Shah Inayat. The poetic form Bulleh Shah used is called the Kafi, a style of Punjabi poetry used not only by the Sufis of Sindh and Punjab, but also by Sikh gurus. Nur 'Ali Shah (1760-1796). The 36th Qutub or Perfect Master or 'Pole' of the Ni'matullah Sufi Order was born in Isfahan. The Ulama of Kirmansh 'Ali Bihbahani who was nick-named 'the Sufi killer' saw the Sufi Poet Nur 'Ali Shah as a threat and he was poisoned. The correct rhyme-structure for the first time has been achieved in all poems. Biographies of all poets and essays on Sufi Poetry & its Forms, Selected Bibliographies. Paul Smith (b. 1945) is a poet, author and translator of many books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Iqbal, Ghalib, Makhfi, Lalla Ded, Nazir, Iqbal, Seemab, Jigar and many others and his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books. memoir and a dozen screenplays. amazon.com/author/smithpa
Download or read book Baba Bulleh Shah the Pearl of Punjab written by Parvez Anjum and published by . This book was released on 2018-05-05 with total page 170 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The lyrical poetry of the renowned sufi poet is loved and listened across the Punjabi knowing and speaking regions of the world be it Pakistan, India or else beyond the Eastern and Western Punjab of India and Pakistan.Its message transcends beyond the boundaries and borders of countries.
Download or read book Great Sufi Poets of the Punjab written by Ravindra Mohan Chopra and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 340 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Spatializing Popular Sufi Shrines in Punjab written by Yogesh Snehi and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2019-05-16 with total page 256 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book explores the organic lives of popular Sufi shrines in contemporary Northwest India. It traverses the worldview of shrine spaces, rituals and their complex narratives, and provides an insight into their urban and rural landscapes in the post-Partition (Indian) Punjab. What happened to these shrines when attempts were made to dissuade Sikhs, Muslims and Hindus from their veneration of popular saints in the early twentieth century? What was the fate of popular shrines that persisted even when the Muslim population was virtually wiped off as a result of migration during Partition? How did these shrines manifest in the context of the threat posed by militants in the 1980s? How did such popular practices reconfigure themselves when some important centres of Sufism were left behind in the West Punjab (now Pakistan)? This book examines several of these questions and utilizes a combination of analytical tools, new theoretical tropes and an ethnographic approach to understand and situate popular Sufi shrines so that they are both historicized and spatialized. As such, it lays out some crucial contours of the method and practice of understanding popular sacred spaces (within India and elsewhere), bridging the everyday and the metanarratives of power structures and state formation. This book will be useful to scholars, researchers and those engaged in interdisciplinary work in history, social anthropology, historical sociology, cultural studies, historical geography, religion and art history, as wel as those interested in Sufism and its shrines in South Asia.
Download or read book Poetry as Resistance written by Nukhbah Taj Langah and published by Taylor & Francis. This book was released on 2020-11-29 with total page 214 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Focusing on the culturally and historically rich Siraiki-speaking region, often tagged as ‘South Punjab’, this book discusses the ways in which Siraiki creative writers have transformed into political activists, resisting the self-imposed domination of the Punjabi–Mohajir ruling elite. Influenced by Sufi poets, their poetry takes the shape of both protest and dialogue. This book reflects upon the politics of identity and the political complications which are a result of colonisation and later, neo-colonisation of Pakistan. It challenges the philosophy of Pakistan — a state created for Muslims — which is now taking the shape of religious fanaticism, while disregarding ethnic and linguistic issues such as that of Siraiki.
Download or read book Great Sufi Poets of the Punjab and Sindh an Anthology written by Paul Smith and published by CreateSpace. This book was released on 2013-04-30 with total page 192 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Great Sufi Poets of the Punjab & Sindh Translations, Introductions by Paul Smith The ideal of the Punjabi & Sindhi Sufi poets was to find God in all His creation and thus attain union with Him. Thus union or annihilation in God was to be fully achieved after death, but in some cases it was gained while living. This Sufi poetry consequently is full of poems, songs, and hymns praising the Beloved, describing the pain and sorrow inflicted by separation, and ultimately the joy, peace and knowledge attained in the union. CONTENTS: Introduction: Sufis & Dervishes: Their Art and Use of Poetry... 7, Sufi Poets of the Punjab... 33, Sufi Poets of Sindh...37 THE POETS... Baba Farid... 41, Sultan Bahu... 69, Bulleh Shah... 85, Ali Haider... 113, Farid... 123, Shah Latif... 133, Sachal Sarmast... 155. The correct rhyme-structure and spiritual meaning has been kept in these beautiful, spiritual & inspiring poems. 166 pages. COMMENTS ON PAUL SMITH'S TRANSLATION OF HAFIZ'S 'DIVAN'. "It is not a joke... the English version of ALL the ghazals of Hafiz is a great feat and of paramount importance. I am astonished. " Dr. Mir Mohammad Taghavi (Dr. of Literature) Tehran. "Superb translations. 99% Hafiz 1% Paul Smith." Ali Akbar Shapurzman, translator works in English into Persian and knower of Hafiz's Divan off by heart. "I was very impressed with the beauty of these books." Dr. R.K. Barz. Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University. "Smith has probably put together the greatest collection of literary facts and history concerning Hafiz." Daniel Ladinsky (Penguin Books author). Paul Smith is a poet, author and translator of over 80 books of Sufi poets of the Persian, Arabic, Urdu, Turkish, Pashtu and other languages... including Hafiz, Sadi, Nizami, Rumi, 'Attar, Sana'i, Jahan Khatun, Obeyd Zakani, Mu'in, Amir Khusrau, Nesimi, Kabir, Anvari, Ansari, Jami, Omar Khayyam, Rudaki, Yunus Emre, Mahsati, Lalla Ded, Bulleh Shah, Shah Latif, Makhfi and many others, as well as his own poetry, fiction, plays, biographies, children's books and a dozen screenplays.
Download or read book The Mystic Muse written by Bullhe Shāh and published by Abhinav Publications. This book was released on 1996 with total page 286 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The most significant contribution of the Sufi poets of the Punjab is their rising above the narrow and parochial concepts of religion and laying emphasis on the love of God alone. They believe that the love of God can be attained through the love of man. Sain Bulleh Shah is the most important voice among them. The rational and socialistic content of his verse, more importantly his sympathy with the have-nots and the downtrodden speaks volumes for his forward-looking vision. His romantic defiance of both Hindu and Muslim bigotry and ritualism is particularly telling. Bulleh Shah fostered communal amity and understanding which is the primary need of our times ridden with blind fundamentalism and petty political considerations. It is a pity that no authentic version of Sain Bulleh Shah’s work is obtaining. All that has travelled to us is from mouth to mouth. It, therefore, varies from Persian script to Gurumukhi, script, from Pakistan to India. This may, at times, be evident from the text covered in these pages. The English translation is based on Gurumukhi script prevalent in India while the text in Persian script is that available in Pakistan.
Download or read book Bulleh Shah Poetry written by Bulleh Shah and published by . This book was released on 2020-12-22 with total page 86 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:
Download or read book Death Before Dying written by Sultan Bahu and published by Univ of California Press. This book was released on 1998-04 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Death Before Dying offers a window on the Sufi mystical tradition, providing a rare glimpse into the religious lives of rural Muslims during the days of the Mughal Empire. The poetry of Sultan Bahu has inspired Sufis of the Punjab for countless generations, embodying essential characteristics of the mystical tradition, especially in its emphasis on complete and unrestricted devotion to God coupled with skepticism toward the formal, legalistic, and institutionalized elements of organized religion.
