Sufism in Uzbekistan: history, course, leaders
When Islam became widespread on Arabian world, many Muslim people began to pay attention only to material values and follow rules of Shariah, not concerning about their spiritual life. It led to appeal of many scientists of that time to return to plain values and to fight with inward enemy – envy, arrogance, pride, stinginess, laziness. It gave the development of school, which was called as “Tasavvuf”, that means “Sufism”. The name is considered to be derived from Arabian word “sufi” – “who wears fur clothes”. Though according to famous oriental scientist Abu Raikhon Beruniy the word “sufi” is the derivation from Greek word “sophos”, meaning “wisdom”. Researchers defined the Sufism as the mystic trend of Islam, appeared in the VIII century on the territory of contemporary Iraq and Syria. At the same time Sufism has its unique features: combination of asceticism with idealistic metaphysic, gradual cognition of God with the aim to become one of a piece. Classical Sufi scholars have defined Sufism as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God”.
The path of any Sufi is divided into 4 stages: Shariah – following of rules of Islam, Tarikat – obedience, Marifat – cognition of God, Khakikat – total understanding of truth. People, who want to enter the way of Sufism, are called as Murids (“seeker”) and also Saliks, Alhidils, Mutassavifs. They should get knowledge from their spiritual teacher, leader, which are called as Shaihs, Murshids, Piirs, Eshons, Hojas, Mavlons and Makhmuds, which at their turn got the knowledge from their spiritual leaders. Thus, Sufism has a peculiar system of succession (silsilah), leading back to Sufi’s origin with Muhammad.
There are many Sufi buildings in Uzbekistan. Near Bukhara there is the memorial complex of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. In Samarkand there is the mosque and grave of Hoja Akhror, mausoleum of Gur Emir, Mausoleum of Rukhabad and others. In Tashkent there is the mausoleum of Zaynuddin Boboi, related to the order of “Suhravardia”. Also there is the Mausoleum of Sheikhantaur and Mausoleum of Imam Kaffal Shash in the capital. And near Tashkent there is the Mausoleum of Zangiota.
In addition, on the territory of Central Asia there are several women’s Sufi monasteries, where only women can enter. One of them is the complex of Kiz Bibi. All of these places are sacred for Sufi and are places of pilgrimages. People from far countries come here to find the healing and wisdom, because one of Sufi sentences says: “Seek the wisdom while you have the strength”.
Also there are well-known orders, founded by prominent Sufi leaders: “Khojagon”, “Nimatullahi”, etc. Order “Naqshbandiya takes special place in Uzbekistan. It was founded by Bakhouddin Naqshbandi.
Bakhouddin Naqshbandi
Muhammad ibn Muhammad Bakhouddin Naqshbandi al-Buhoriy (also is known as Hoja Bahouddin Balogardon, Hojai Buzruk, Shohi Naqshband) is the prominent saint (avliyo) and the founder of the order “Naqshbandiya”. He was born and died in village of Qasri Hinduven near Kagan (1318-1389), which later was named as Qasri Orifon in honor of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi. He twice made a hajj to Mecca.
There is no detailed information and facts about his family and children, because he prohibited his students to write about his life style and activities. It is considered that Naqshbandi was Sayid, the direct descendant of Prophet Muhammad. His father textile master and chaser (Naqshband). His grandfather played an important role in his life. He was in good relation with Sufists and paid a lot of attention to religious sciences. Bakhouddin Naqshbandi was taught by famous teachers of that time. First teacher was Mukhammad Bobo Samosiy (1340-1345), the 5th Piir (spiritual Leader) of Bukhara. After his death Naqshbandi moved to one of prominent leaders of the order “Hodjagon” – Sayid Amir Kulol (approximately 1288 – 1371), 6th Piir of Bukhara, who introduced Naqshbandi with teaching of Abdulholik Gijduvani (1103-1179). Gijduvani was the founder of the order “Hodjagon” and one of the first Piirs of Bukhara, he promoted to follow the rules of Shariah and duties of prophet Muhammad. He devoted his life to the true way of Allah and founded 8 rules (rahsha) in his order.
On the base of these eight rules of the order Naqshbandi founded his own school, adding three main rules. Naqshbandi was the adherent of simplicity and had negative attitude to colorable piety, “loud dhikr”, forty-day fasting. The main principle of his school was “Dil ba eru, dast ba kor” – “ Heart is with Allah, hands are in work”. According to his teaching the cognition of Allah occurs through the soul and hands should be always engaged in work. The symbol of the order is the heart with inscribed word “Allah” in Arab language.
The 675th anniversary of Bakhouddin Naqshbandi was widely celebrated in Uzbekistan in 1993. His grave and surrounding complex became the place of pilgrimage for people from all over the world. About 200 scientific works and books about Naqshbandi are kept in the Uzbek Academy of Science.
