Questions to Haji Syed Salman Chishty, President of the Chishtiyya Foundation.
He has just participated in the 15th Fez Festival of Sufi Culture which continues until October 29. He recited an opening prayer. We met him the day after his performance and before taking part in round tables. In this interview, he presents the foundations of the Tariqa Chishtiyya in India as well as his work internationally.
ALM: We hear a little about the Tariqa (brotherhood) Chishtiyya of India. But we don’t know the underside. Could you tell us more?
Haji Syed Salman Chishty: Already, Morocco and India have very common ties to the “Awliae” (pious worshippers). For my part, I have been coming to Morocco since 2010. The first time, I came to Fez with a choir of musicians in Samaa and Dhikr (praise) from Ajmer Cherif of the Tariqa Chishtiyya, notably at the international festival of Sufism. We were invited there by Dr Faouzi Skali. And now in 2022, we have the same experience. To answer your question, the Tariqa Chishtiyya is ubiquitous not only in India but also in South and Southeast Asia. And it dates back to the 11th century, in particular to the “Awliae”, namely his excellence Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty who came from Medina to Ajmer Cherif in India. Just like in Morocco, there are several Zaouïyas, like Zaouïya El Kadir of India, the largest center of Sufism and Islamic spirituality, which is, in Ajmer Cherif, not only for India but also the south of Asia. It is a legacy that we as Chishty serve with unconditional love. Our founding principles are service to humanity. For his part, Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty asked us to develop three natural attributes with regard to existence.
What are these attributes?
It is about the sun as grace, the river as generosity and the earth as hospitality. It’s about never making a difference between the “fingers” served. In Morocco, you have for example the Tariqa Kadirya, Boutchichiya, Tijania among others. It is the same lineage as the Chishtiyya. So there is the spiritual character. And Ajmer Cherif is like Fez from India. So the spiritual city is as important for Morocco as Ajmer Cherif for India. It is a city of “Awliae” and for many people of all beliefs, just like in Fez and its festival of Sufi culture where there were several beliefs alongside those of Muslims. This is also the case in several Zaouïyas and in Ajmer Cherif where Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims among others gather, serve together and experience the blessing of love.
Can there be common points between your Tariqa and another Moroccan?
There are several points in common. For example, I was invited, before the Covid, by Moulay Mounir of the Tariqa Boutchichiya in Madagh and we do the same celebration as well as the same service to people such as food. So the Chishtiyya is also important since it offers the service of food to all the people who come there besides the dhikr of Allah just like the Tariqa Boutchichiya. In the Chishtiyya there is also dhikr Allah. So all the principles are the same. Those of serving and leading people towards divine passion. It’s a real passion and it’s very important. To achieve it, there is also love for his Prophet Muhammad. And that is the essence of all tariqas. Throughout the world, we are all united by the love of the Prophet. When we recite His praises, it is the force which binds us to the passion for the Prophet which takes us towards that divine. So all the tariqas and “Awliae” are the shining lights of that mohammadia. The light of the prophet resounds in the heart and the life of the “Awliae”. It’s just like in India, Khawaja Moen Eddine Hassan Chishty is the first to establish the Tariqa Chishtiyya, after there were other “Awliae” like Baba Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, and several “Awliae” from Kashmir, Bengal and all places. I think this is the common factor among the tariqas which is to serve humanity with unconditional love.
So do you transmit these values to the youngest?
In fact, many young people benefit from our programs. And it is time to lead the young people and the new generation towards the passion of Allah and his Prophet by bringing them good manners like service and faith. Manners are also behavior. We do this with sacred texts including the Quran, calligraphy, poetry and music. What Islam has more beautiful as Asmae Allah El Housna (The names of God), dhikr Allah and Samaâ (Qawwali). Young people respond quite well to frequenting the tariqa and the way of the Prophet, as well as the Islamic condition. So with young people, it is important to bring them closer to God with love, even poetry, spiritual and Sufi music, dhikr Allah, art, culture. This is what we do in our foundation, which also works internationally through this initiative.
At the opening of the festival, you recited a prayer. But what about your remarks in the conferences you have given?
Indeed, I had a conference with Sufi leaders during an academic session. I also spoke at another round table with various Sufis invited to the festival. After which, I leave for Dubai for another program to direct me afterwards in Indonesia to take part in a summit.
How do you view Sufism in Morocco?
The Kingdom is also a very important country. His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the royal family have always supported tariqas. They dedicated themselves to it. And it is important to have this support to spread the message of Sufism. I think Sufi culture is an important initiative that Morocco has disseminated and preserved. Because to preserve this culture, it is also important to counter radicalism and extremism. When there is a Sufi value, the teachings of “Awliae” for young people in a country, it also helps to counteract the problems of radicalism and extremist ideology, violence and terrorism. So it is important that Morocco has preserved this learning of the “Awliae”. And we congratulate the royal family and the government of Morocco for that and the way in which people in Fez are active in Tariqa to serve. Besides, I was regularly invited to the celebration of Mawlid by the Tariqa Boutchichiya in Madagh by Moulay Mounir and Sidi Hamza. In fact, I had the chance to be in his presence years ago. So I think the “Awliae” and Zaouïya have always actively connected the Moroccan people together in the light of the Koran, Hadith, Sunna for the love of the Prophet. It is a happy moment for us to experience this in Morocco. Once again we congratulate the Moroccan people who carry this culture of Sufism in their lives and their hearts.
Haji Syed Salman Chishty: “The founding principles of the Tariqa Chishtiyya are service to humanity”