Short history about Sufism in Sudan.

By: Abdulgalil Abdallah Salih Tariqa Sammanyia Omaidan The central message of the Sufis all over the world is to strive to attain perfection. To the great Persian Sufi poet Jalal Din Rumi the temporal soul is in prison, and it remains there as long as it is on the earthly plane. So the Sufi sheikhs' message rests on the idea that they want, with the grace of Allah, to help the murid to release himself from the shackles and chains of imprisonment in order to respond to the yearning for spiritual attainment. Sufism was first introduced in Sudan, in the 16th century, by Sheikh Taj Eldin El.Bahari, a member of the Qadirryyia Sufi order based in Baghdad. Islam in Sudan is dominated by the Sufi Orders, which have deeply penetrated the country since the era which came to be known as the Sennar State. Historians state that the spread of Islamic teachings in Sudan owed its impetus to the Sufi sheikhs who came from the Islamic heartlands of Hejaz, Egypt, Yemen and Morocco. The coming of those holy men was during the time of the Funj Kingdom. Through the tolerance, simplicity and peaceful means which distinguish their doctrine, Sufis sheikhs have successfully attracted many natives to the fold of Islam. Sufi orders in Sudan draw their supporters and followers from all walks of life; tribal leaders, religious teachers, merchants, farmers, qadis, and even governmental officials have all been initiated in the Sufi tariqas. Tariqa, an Arabic term for the spiritual path, especially in the sense of a method of spiritual practice, is often embodied in a social organization and tradition known as a Sufi order. Because of its well-known tolerance, the Sufi tradition opened the way for many pre-Islamic practices to reappear in an Islamic form. In this regard the Qadiriyya tariqa which is supposed to be, by some

historians, the first Sufi tariqa in Sudan, built its doctrines upon local practices and traditions and won the support and the allegiance of many Sudanese, becoming the most popular and widespread order in the country. Sufism in Sudan is a deep rooted force that has shaped, and continues to shape, the Sudanese society as a whole. In a country with diverse cultures and beliefs, Sufism casts a spell of moderation over the whole country. The introduction of Sufi orders into the country has led to the creation of some distinctive features of Sudanese Muslim culture, and, since it represents the popular version of Islam in the country, Sufism has come to be the main aspect of social consciousness as well as a significant unifying force throughout the different epochs of Sudanese history. Historically, Sufis in Sudan were always accused of passiveness by certain circles, specifically when the situation related to politics and the ruling group. To refute this accusation they (the Sufis) expressed their views in their writing to affirm the fact that politics ought not to be an END but A MEANS to serve all people irrespective of their race, color, and political affiliation. Throughout the history of Sudanese politics, Sufi sheikhs have enjoyed and continue to enjoy good ties with all the political systems- both military and democratic ones. The Sufis have been revered by rulers both in the past and the present day, and are favoured by them. Sufism and Sufis are the plasma for the unity that overcomes the principles which divide humanity on the bases of religion, class, tribe and political affiliation. Sufism reaches beyond egocentrism, ethnocentrism and competitive materialism. Abdulgalil Abdallah Salih University of GeziraFaculty of Education E .mail: abdulgalilsalih@yahoo.com