Sufi Customs at the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai Promote Tolerance: An Analysis

Abstract

Spiritual practices at shrines of Sufi saints are major source of connecting human souls. This is exists at the Sufi shrines in the present crucial circumstances. The Sufi customs at shrine of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai promote sense of religious tolerance, and universal love to mankind. One can realize the purity of mind, and soul while seeing his whitish shiny tomb from the distance of many miles. It is situated at the mound of a sandy dune, familiarly known as “Bhit” which was developed centre of spiritual rites by Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai himself during period of 1668-1752 A.D. In this way it was named as “Bhitshah”. While staying at there at Bhitshah, he engaged devotees to make an oval-shape plain area at the top of the mound. It was the commencement of Sufi practices at Bhitshah. Slow and steady, the Sufi customs were started as spiritual-music (Shah-Jo-Raag), a ritual of evening prayers gathering (Halka), collective prayers practice (Sahao-Soomar) on every first Monday of each month as per Islamic Calendar, a devotional dance (Dhamal) every day at the time of sun-setting were regular rituals at this shrine. This is the hub of all ritual practices where peoples from every religion participate with heart and soul. Women from Hindu, Christian and other religions eagerly take part in Sufi customs - this is how it is a unique phenomenon, and it can be further promoted for addressing the major issues of intolerance and rigidity.