Sufism in Maharashtra: Perspective on Literature of Sufi Saints

When we look at the history of the world, we find that the period of almost known history is full of various political upheavals and battles, the rise and fall of different religions and sects. However, during this period, thousands of scholars, and founders of religion as well as various known and unknown saints have contributed on earthly and material fronts with a view to make human life endurable and stable social life. The most close and familiar subject with social life is one's own religious beliefs. The book 'Sufism in Maharashtra' is an absolute encyclopaedia of Sufism and in all this, the ultimate goal of religion and faith is social unity, love, and brotherhood is stated. In the course of time, various ideas have become hybrids and new opinions have emerged. In everyday life, the transcendental life of the common man should be happy so that he can fully face the pleasures and sorrows that come with living a material life. It is for this purpose that the saints have come forward in which the Sufi system has a great deal to do, as well as the saints on this bhakti Marg (Varkari/a devotional path). The objectives of both these sects were so similar and goal-oriented that it is not known whether the Sufi saints followed the path of the local saints, and the supporters followed the path of the Sufi saints. Considering this unity, if you study the various literature works and compositions of the Sufi saints, you will find their influence on the local social life and the reflection of the customs of the society in their literature. For this, an attempt has been made in this book to show the place of some Muslim Sufi saints in the land of Maharashtra in the local life by presenting a detailed study of their compositions and literature. The writings of Muslim Marathi saints are of a very high standard. The number of followers of Sufi saints is huge in India especially Maharashtra. But even today, people do not pay much attention to the writings and philosophies of Muslim Sufi saints in Maharashtra. Their bibliography is new to the general public, with the exception of a few disciplines and curious scholars. The work of such great Sufi saints and their texts should be introduced. More than half of the general readership in Maharashtra is unaware of the origins of Sufi saints, their propaganda, etc., so that their work can reach the masses. This book deals with the origin, development, propagation, and propagation of Sufi faith as well as the traditions and writings of Sufi saints in Maharashtra. In order to provide useful information to the general readers and practitioners of the Sufi system in a single book, I have taken the approach here. In the first chapter of the book, I have described the concept of religion, in the second chapter analysed the Sufism in the Global concept and in the third section how Sufism spread in India is investigated. In the fourth chapter, Sufi and Varkari from Maharashtra and saints on the path of devotion are depicted. In the fifth chapter, a detailed account of the various prominent poetic compositions of the Muslim saint poets of Maharashtra is presented. It shows the influence of Muslim saints on the issue of social integration as well as spirituality which is another part of the society. In such a detailed book, a unique study of the Sufi faith of the Muslim saint poets of Maharashtra and their works is presented in this book. I think this book will definitely be useful for the general reader, curious, researcher, history student, etc. to satisfy their curiosity and research.