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Islam (Indian Traditions)
Section 1: Overview
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Islam arrived in India shortly after its founding in Arabia — by the 7th–8th century CE, Muslim traders had established communities on the southwestern coast (Kerala). Over the next twelve centuries, Islam spread throughout India through traders, Sufi saints, rulers, and reformers.
Today, India has the world's third-largest Muslim population (about 200 million, 14% of total), after Indonesia and Pakistan. Indian Islam is extraordinarily diverse — Sunni and Shia, Ashraf (descended from foreign Muslims) and Ajlaf (indigenous converts), urban and rural, Sufi and reformist.
Sunni Islam
Most Indian Muslims (about 85%) are Sunni, following the Hanafi school of jurisprudence (fiqh). However, Indian Sunni Islam also includes the Barelvi and Deobandi movements — two major reform/traditional movements that shape how most Indian Muslims practice their faith.
Shia Islam
Indian Shia Muslims (about 15%) include the Ithna Ashari (Twelver) and Ismaili (especially the Nizari Ismaili, related to the Aga Khan). The city of Lucknow is a major Shia center; the Tehreek-e-Hussaini movement is prominent.
Sufi Traditions
India is home to major Sufi orders (tariqas):
- Chishti Order (Sufism of love, music, devotion): founded by Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (1142–1236) in Ajmer; famous saints include Nizamuddin Auliya (1238–1325) and Amir Khusro (1253–1325)
- Qadiri Order: emphasizes divine love and service
- Naqshbandi Order: emphasizes silent dhikr (remembrance) and strict adherence to Sharia
- Suhrawardi Order: combines Sufi mysticism with political engagement
Sufism has shaped Indian Islam profoundly — Sufi shrines (dargahs) attract millions of pilgrims; Sufi music (qawwali) is beloved across India.
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The Arrival of Islam
Arab traders arrived on the Malabar Coast (Kerala) in the 7th–8th century, establishing communities that became the Mappila Muslims. The subsequent arrival of Turkic and Afghan Muslim rulers (Qutb-ud-din Aibak, 1206; the Delhi Sultanate; the Mughal Empire, 1526–1857) brought Islam to North India.
Major Movements:
Barelvi Movement (founded by Shah Waliullah Dehlawi's son, 1781–1820; named after Bareilly):
- Emphasizes love for the Prophet Muhammad (veneration of the Prophet)
- Honors Sufi saints and shrine visitation
- Maintains local religious customs alongside Islamic practice
- Represents the majority of Indian Sunni Muslims
Deobandi Movement (founded at Darul Uloom Deoband, 1866):
- Emphasizes scripturalist interpretation of Islam
- Critiques practices considered bid'ah (innovation)
- Does not venerate saints or visit shrines
- Has been associated with some militant movements (though Deoband itself is a center of scholarly Islam)
The Tablighi Jamaat (founded 1926):
- Emphasizes personal piety and dawah (missionary outreach)
- Apolitical; focuses on returning to the Prophet's example
- Known for its missionary camps (ijtima)
Shia Traditions in India
The Shia presence in India dates to the early Islamic period; the Lucknow court of Nawab Saadat Khan (18th century) was a major Shia center. Indian Shia traditions include:
- Muharram processions and tazia (miniature replicas of Karbala)
- Zuljanah recitations
- The Ashura commemoration of Imam Hussein's martyrdom at Karbala
The Ismaili Nizari community, led by the Aga Khan, has significant presence in Gujarat and Rajasthan; they are known for their Progressive Education Network and social development work.
Section 2: Core Teachings & Practices
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The Five Pillars of Islam
All Muslims, regardless of tradition, affirm five core practices (arkān al-islām):
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Shahada: "There is no god but God (Allah), and Muhammad is the messenger of God." This declaration of faith is the entry into Islam.
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Salat: Prayer five times daily — at dawn (Fajr), noon (Zuhr), afternoon (Asr), evening (Maghrib), and night (Isha). Muslims face the Kaaba in Mecca during prayer.
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Zakat: Charitable giving — traditionally 2.5% of wealth above a minimum threshold, given to the poor and community needs.
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Sawm: Fasting during Ramadan — from dawn to dusk for one month. No food, drink, or sexual activity during daylight hours.
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Hajj: Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime, if physically and financially able.
Sufi Practices
Sufis add practices emphasizing divine love and remembrance:
- Dhikr: remembrance of God through repetition of names and phrases (especially "La ilaha illallah" — "There is no god but God")
- Sama: listening to devotional music (especially qawwali)
- Muraqaba: meditation/contemplation
- Ziyarat: visitation of shrines
Practices you can explore today:
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The Shahada: Take a moment to reflect on the declaration: "There is no god but God." This is not a conversion invitation — it is an invitation to reflect on the Oneness of the Divine, a theme common to Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and many other traditions.
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Five Daily Prayers: Even if you do not adopt the Islamic prayer form, the discipline of stopping five times daily for reflection is powerful. You might set gentle reminders to pause and breathe mindfully.
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Charity (Zakat): The Islamic principle that wealth is a trust from God, and caring for the poor is obligatory. Today, give to someone in need — without seeking recognition.
[INTERMEDIATE]
The Quran and Hadith
The Quran, believed by Muslims to be the literal word of God (Arabic: Kalām Allāh), was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (570–632 CE) over 23 years. It is written in Arabic; translations are considered interpretations, not the Quran itself.
The Hadith are records of the Prophet's sayings and actions, transmitted through chains of narrators. Major collections include Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. Hadith provide guidance on all aspects of life, complementing the Quran.
Indian Islamic scholarship (fiqh) has developed distinct traditions, especially in the Hanafi school (Sunni) and Jafari school (Shia).
Sufi Philosophy
Sufism (tasawwuf) developed as the mystical dimension of Islam, emphasizing:
- Tawhid: the unity of God; everything is a manifestation of God's being
- Ihsan: perfection of character; worshipping God as if you see Him
- Wilaya: the doctrine of saints (wali) — spiritual masters in touch with God
- Fana: annihilation of the ego in God; annihilation of the sense of separate self
The Sufi masters are revered for their spiritual realization and their blessings (barakat). The shrine (dargah) of a Sufi saint is a place of pilgrimage.
Section 3: Living Tradition Today
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Indian Islam Today:
India's 200 million Muslims are the largest minority in the world's most populous nation. They include:
- Sunni (Hanafi): majority
- Shia: significant minorities, especially in Lucknow, Delhi, Hyderabad
- Ismaili: Nizari Ismailis under the Aga Khan
- Ahmadiyya: minority, controversial in some countries
- Various reform movements
Contemporary Issues:
- Demographic and socioeconomic challenges
- Political representation and rights
- Relations with the Hindu majority
- The CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests
- Interfaith dialogue and coexistence
Major Sufi Shrines:
- Ajmer Sharif (tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti)
- Nizamuddin Auliya (Delhi)
- Baba Farid (Punjab)
- Tomb of Guru Nanak (contentious, disputed by Sikhs)
Prominent Indian Muslim Figures:
- APJ Abdul Kalam (1931–2015): scientist, President of India
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (1888–1958): first Education Minister, freedom fighter
- Mahatma Gandhi (not a Muslim, but a key ally of Muslim leaders)
- Aga Khan IV (born 1937): 49th Imam of Nizari Ismaili Muslims
DivineLens presents perspectives from within this tradition, curated for authenticity. For personal spiritual direction, advanced study, or questions about tradition-specific practice, we recommend finding a qualified teacher in Islam. Our Advisory Council reviews all content for theological accuracy.
Known Limitations
- Citations require verification.
- The internal diversity (Sunni, Shia, Sufi, reformist) is not fully represented.
- The Barelvi/Deobandi distinction requires more depth.
- Contemporary political issues are sensitive and underexplored.
- The ISlamophobia context in India is not addressed.
Recommended reviewers: A Sunni Islamic scholar, a Shia Islamic scholar, and a Sufi practitioner.
