Silsila differences

[madani noor]

Salaam Brothers,

can yous tell me if there are major spiritaul differences between,Qadri,Chisti,Naksbundi,and Suharwardi tariqas.

i knwo the importance of following these spiritaul paths and orders through your shaikhs but is one more distinctive-outstanding, in zikr for example ?

i appreciate your comments.

[talib]

There are silsila differences, there are the four which are very famous, although thre are others. The Qadris Chishtis and Suharwardis for example are said to emerge from Hadrat Syidina Ali (may Allah be pleased with Him) whereas the Naqshbandi silsila is said to have stemmed from Syidina abu-Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with Him).
Other differences that can be thought of are for example the methods of dhikr. The Naqshbandis usually engage in a silent muraqibah, whereas the Qadris and Chishtis will recite dhikr aloud together and in one voice gradually creating a momentum.
Also there are different characteristics of the individual sufis, for example, you may find a Chishti, who may be very understanding as opposed to a Naqshbandi, who ponders more on certain types of different issue. Similarly, a Qadri may be more humble, resilient and observant whereas a Chishti may be more bubbly and melodious. Then there are the colours of the silsilas which are a mark of recognition that they belong to a particular silsilah, normally a dark brown for the Qadris, a bright orangey-brown for the chishtis, white for the Naqshbandis and so forth.
These are however just a few different chracteristical differences seen from the face of it, although the real differences may also lie in application of laws, conformation of laws, appreciation of laws, and so forth.

This is just some of the differences of how i see the silsilas although others may not. There is no hard and fast rules stating that these are the differences, as you may know that all the Tariqas do turn into one silsila and colour, that is sibght-ullah (Allahs rang).......Talib

[madani noor]

Thanks for you reply brother talib.

Other differences that can be thought of are for example the methods of dhikr. The Naqshbandis usually engage in a silent muraqibah, whereas the Qadris and Chishtis will recite dhikr aloud together and in one voice gradually creating a momentum

I have heard one Naksbundi guy that recites his zikr out aloud, is there differences or diff branches of thought on this.Some say tassawuf should be 'inside' as in meditational ?

[talib]

I have seen very many myself, yet it is common for Naqshbandis to engage in muraqibah. I think there is differences of thought on this, depending on who the thought is by.

[talib]

sorry, just forgot to add that tasawwuf is both inner and outer. If there is no outer then the inner is of no use. For example, a sufi will not miss his five times prayer and other obligations, as he must have sworn, or made an oath, that he will never do so. Silsila means to stay in the form of continuity, and he will never, ever miss these and expect his 'inner meditation' to be accepted. However there are many forms of dhikr, but generally speaking, salah is the most important form of dhikr, and everyone who is a muslim MUST realise its importance. Only then is acceptance is a work of the Almighties

[simnani]

Then there are the colours of the silsilas which are a mark of recognition that they belong to a particular silsilah, normally a dark brown for the Qadris, a bright orangey-brown for the chishtis, white for the Naqshbandis and so forth

There seems to be more recognition nowadays, (almost like a uniform) as a form of identification of which branch or tariqat you belong to i.e Dawate Islami, Naqsbandi, Qadiri, Soharwardi,Naushahi,etc in terms of turbans,topees

Of the colours,the Chisti and Ashrafi colours are strikingly similar,if not the same?

I think this all adds a vibrant glow to Ahle Sunnat wal Jamah and shows the najdis/deobandis that their sectarianism is lacking faith.