Daily Times

KARACHI: A book on women’s Sufism, titled ‘Sufi Khwateen’ published by University of Karachi (UoK) last week, in which the authors conducted a study on the shrines of Sufi women located in Karachi and Thatta district of Sindh to highlight the Sufi women’s role in society.

The book ‘Sufi khwateen provides its readers the understanding of the term Sufi and Sufism in a positive way to develop the perspective that how a person follows certain ascetic and ethical rules. The book is co-authored by the Director of UoK’s Women Studies Department, Dr Nasreen Aslam Shah, Seema Manzoor and Dr. Asma Manzoor.

“The intention of writing a book on women’s Sufism was to admit the roles and services of Sufi Women, which have been neglected and unrecognized just like in others spheres of life”, Mrs Shah Said.

However, such publication on the topic ‘Sufi women’ is a significant attempt because books have been published on women’s Sufism and their efforts, rarely. “Sufi women also have the equal status like Sufi men, therefore, it is needed to highlight and address such issues”, she said, adding the society must accept the realities and knowledge of women to get rid of the term “Missing Women”, which is widely used globally.

However, the narrative of the book provides an imminent considerate of Sufism in its aspects. It elaborates on, how Sufism is the preserved spiritual conduit. The book also draws an in-depth study of Muslim texts and traditions, the authors articulate that Sufism is not an innovation, but the continuity of a thought process that links Muslims to their religious predecessors the entire manner to Prophet Muhammad.

The book covers remarkable lives of the Sufi Women, manuscript and their philosophy that stress on the purification of the heart through Sufism. It highlights major Sufi orders, their popularity in the subcontinent and how the teachings of Sufi Masters impacted the devotional aspect of Muslims forever.

The book is based on the authentic spiritual experience of one who has lived this tradition for his entire life, and taught thousands of others. Highlighting and reflecting, the honor and respect for the Sufi Women, inspiration and hope for the flourishing contributions of women to the spiritual development of humanity.

The book under review is the latest survey of Sufism and presents Sufis as powerful and influential social actors of the society. This timely book is much helpful for those readers who wish to study Islam and Sufism, especially Sufi Women in particular.

Published in Daily Times, June 21st, 2017.