Talk - A journey on the Sufi path by Sadia Dehlvi August 12, 2009

Talk - A journey on the Sufi path by Sadia Dehlvi. Some scholars of Islam contend that Sufism is simply the name for the inner or esoteric dimension of Islam, characterized by the concept of zikr, the remembrance of God and self abnegation. 'Sufism emphasises an intuitive insight into the inner hidden meaning of the revealed Word. In their search for spiritual truths, Sufis do not deny the relevance of the theological and juridical traditions of scholastic Islam. Certainly God's Word, the Qur'an, is the usual point of departure in their search for an inner, ultimate reality. And yet, rather than simply adhering to a system of rituals and beliefs, Sufis focus upon the intention that rituals serve, foregrounding the inner, esoteric meanings in God's revelation accessible only to spiritual adepts. Sadia Dehlvi shares her personal journey on the Sufi path that led her to discover her true faith. Drawing from the remarkable lives of the Sufis, their literature and philosophies that emphasize on purification of the heart, Dehlvi will elaborate on how the Sufi way of love empowered her emotionally and spiritually. She will explain the attraction of the Sufi path, its complex relationship of Sufism with both Muslim and non-Muslim societies. In her recently released book, Sufism: The Heart of Islam published by HarperCollins Publishers India, Dehlvi asserts that Sufism is not an innovation but the continuity of a thought process which links Muslims to their religious predecessors all the way to Prophet Muhammad. From the early days of Islam to the modern day concerns of militant ideologies, the author explores each strand of religious debate to explore its history and its impact on civilisation. Sadia Dehlvi is a well-known media person who belongs to one of the oldest families of Delhi. For over thirty years, Dehlvi has been voicing concern on issues particularly relating to minorities, heritage, women and Muslim communities. As an eminent voice for the Indian Muslim community, Dehlvi has been articulating the need for Muslims to reflect within, reclaim their intellectual heritage and spiritual traditions; rejecting the ideologies leading to confrontation and violence.

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