Highlighting the Importance of Women Sufis in Sindh

Abstract


 This study aims to express the importance of Sufi shrines in a Sindhi society. The Sufi shrines dwell a central status in our social, cultural and religious setup regarding socio-spatial relationships, status of women in Sufism/Mysticism, rituals, beliefs, spiritual influence, customs and traditions and spiritual healing. Sufi shrines are not only the source of satisfaction for the devotees but also a place where Muslims and non-Muslims participate in all rituals and festivities together. Sindh is the land of Sufis and it holds great importance in Sindhi culture. Hence, the case studies and observational research methods are used to analyze the importance of women Sufis in the Sindhi culture, because both these research methods are explanatory, descriptive, in-depth, detailed and exploratory in nature. Case studies of six women Sufi shrines (three from Karachi and three from Thatta) are incorporated to access the first hand knowledge on the subject. The historical and current scenario about women Sufis and their role in Sindh regarding Sufism is studied through an unstructured interview schedule. Six shrines from Karachi and Thatta were selected as a universe of the study, and the respondents were purposively selected for conducting interviews in detail. The findings reveal that the people of Sindh have blind faith on Sufis (men and women Sufis both). People consider that if they visit the Sufi shrines, they will be blessed with their desires. And moreover people go to the shrines to satisfy their socio-economic, psychological and physical, moral wishes and spiritual needs.