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I consider myself lucky to have a tkt for an Islamic ceremony of Whirling Dervishes from the Konja region of Turkey. (Sufis)
Anyone seen this religious ceremony or care to share your knowledge/thoughts?
It is my understanding these Islamic worshipers engage in a mystical part of Islam involving peace, kindness, non-violence. They honor God by performing the bodily whirls with certain music, special hand movements, poetry ie Rumi.
Perhaps you have seen pics....men with tall headwear and long (usually white) skirts that twirl as they turn repeatedly in their worshipful ceremony.
I consider myself lucky to have a tkt for an Islamic ceremony of Whirling Dervishes from the Konja region of Turkey. (Sufis)
Anyone seen this religious ceremony or care to share your knowledge/thoughts?
It is my understanding these Islamic worshipers engage in a mystical part of Islam involving peace, kindness, non-violence. They honor God by performing the bodily whirls with certain music, special hand movements, poetry ie Rumi.
Perhaps you have seen pics....men with tall headwear and long (usually white) skirts that twirl as they turn repeatedly in their worshipful ceremony.
When I first accepted Islam it was as a sufi. While I still have much love for the Sufi I found many of their practices to be bidah (forbidden innovations of Islam) and after a year changed to following the Sunni Hanafi Madhab.
Originally Sufi'ism was considered to be a valid Sunni Madhab and it was one of the first 5 madhabs. Many early Islamic scholars and historians were Sufi. One of the greatest Muslim writers. as you mentioned was Rumi a Sufi.
I have seen the whirling dervishes in Morocco and do know several Circassian Sufi Dancers that perform it. While the practice is interesting, it is outside the teachings of Islam. The original Whirling Dirvishes actually only danced once and that dance lasted until they died of exhaustion. they spent their entire life preparing for that one dance which usually was performed shortly after reaching puberty. the practice has long been condemned by most Muslims as being a form of suicide.
However, true Sufi'ism as originally practiced is accepted by some Sunni. they are considered to be the mystical side of Islam by some of us.
Wonderful response, thank you so much. I'll plan to read up on more...
The ceremony was last night...enjoyed the musicians/instruments and a short film on Rumi prior to the Whirling Dervishes... fascinating!
One vocalist had a strong, beautiful voice....sang with no accompaniment....sounded similar to calls for prayer, maybe?
The group was brought to SC by a Turkish-American society for educational purposes...tolerance etc.
For the purpose of the Show it is probable the vocalist recited the Athan (call to Prayer) I am assuming that this show was in early evening, near Maghreb Prayer time and the Muezzien (Vocalist) would have most likely called the Maghreb Athan which would sound like this:
The Sufi are quite wonderful. As I said I still have very strong love for all Sufi. Their attitude of non violence is something I find commendable.
The whirling dance is a form of Dhiker (Remembrance) nearly all Muslims practice some form of Dhiker, it is repetitive recitation of things like short prayers or Supplication. Many of us including Sufi do use Dhiker Beads which are similar to the Catholic Rosary Beads. In fact the Rosary beads are patterened after Dhiker beads. Originally the counting of the Rosary prayers were done with a pile of pebbles. St Clair saw Muslims using Dhiker Beads and introduced them as an improvement over a pile of pebbles.
Typically the Sufi carry the Dhiker to a very deep form of meditation and use the Dhiker almost like a mantra. The dervishes use each rotation as a short supplication. The Dancer usually says "Allah-HU" at each rotation. It does become very similar to a Buddhist Chant and the same Trance like state.
Here is Sufi Dhiker recitation in a Mosque
The words are "La ilaha ilallah " (There is no God, but Allah)
to kind of put things in perspective this is what prayer is like in a Sunni Mosque, This is the Morning Fajr prayer. The other 4 obligatory prayers are very similar. the Differences being in the number of times you prostrate, sit and kneel. this is what takes place in a Sunni Mosque. Notice there is no music or dancing.
If you can think of any specific questions about Sufis I still have Sufi friends I keep in contact with and I will gladly ask them and post the answers here.
Honestly, don't know enough to ask meaningful questions...but will continue to search & learn...Youtube has some very good excerpts from ceremonies,prayers etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Woodrow LI
The sufi are quite interesting.
to kind of put things in perspective this is what prayer is like in a Sunni Mosque, This is the Morning Fajr prayer. The other 4 obligatory prayers are very similar. the Differences being in the number of times you prostrate, sit and kneel. this is what takes place in a Sunni Mosque. Notice there is no music or dancing.
If you can think of any specific questions about Sufis I still have Sufi friends I keep in contact with and I will gladly ask them and post the answers here.
This is a Chant or Nasheed called "Allah HU" (My God) it is usually recited all night long during Ramadan on the "Night of Power" Some Sunni especially those from Pakistan do the same. I've taken part several times first as a Sufi and later as a Sunni in a predominately Pakistani Mosque in Austin Texas.
ALLAH HOO ALLAH HOO By SUFI NAEEM SAIFI (SAIFITUBE.COM.PK)
Obviously the person who made and uploaded the Video is a big fan of Sufi Naeem Saifi, it looks like it was done as a tribute to him. Makes me think Sheik Sufi Naeem Saifi passed away. I have not heard any news that he had. But the video does look like it was done as a tribute.
Last edited by Woodrow LI; 03-14-2013 at 08:45 PM..
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Anyone seen this religious ceremony or care to share your knowledge/thoughts? 
