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Sufi or Tassawaf is Muslim mysticism. A Muslim mystic is called as Sufi. The Sufi<br />

spiritual leader is called Peer, in Persian. Such individuals belong to one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sufi order<br />

or Thariqua. Most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sufis <strong>of</strong> South India belong to Quadiria Tariqua, founded in<br />

Bagdad by <strong>the</strong> famous Sufi, Abdul Quadir Jilani in <strong>the</strong> huelth centuy A.D. The essentials<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sufism are self discipline, adoration <strong>of</strong> Lord, love in Supreme Beauty, virtue <strong>and</strong><br />

intention. Their spiritual policy was peace with all. To <strong>the</strong> Muslims <strong>and</strong> Hindus <strong>the</strong>y<br />

preached alike on equal terms. In <strong>the</strong> Tad region Sufism is said to be a mixture <strong>of</strong> Arabic,<br />

Persian, <strong>and</strong> Indian mysticism. The teachings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Sufis were akin to those <strong>of</strong> Tamil<br />

Siddhars (mystics) <strong>and</strong> many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Muslim Sufis were included in <strong>the</strong> order <strong>of</strong> Tamil<br />

Siddhars,<strong>the</strong> mystics <strong>of</strong> Hinduism. In <strong>the</strong> Corom<strong>and</strong>el regions a large number <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong> Sufis<br />

were Tamil poets <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>y enriched <strong>the</strong> Tamil language <strong>and</strong> spiritual literature by <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

literary works. Peer Mohamed Aulia Sahib <strong>of</strong> Takkalai, Sadakkathullah Appa <strong>of</strong> Kilakkaral<br />

were <strong>the</strong> prominent Tamil Sufi poets who lived in <strong>the</strong> last quarter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> eighteenth century<br />

<strong>and</strong> in .<strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> nineteenth centuy. Mastan Sahib was <strong>the</strong> well known Sufi <strong>the</strong><br />

Tamil poet among masses who was born in Tondi <strong>and</strong> buried in Madras <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re are many<br />

more such Sufis.. The tradition <strong>of</strong> Sufism continued in <strong>the</strong> Corom<strong>and</strong>el region <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>re<br />

are many more such Sufis. Their sayings <strong>and</strong> doings were responsible for <strong>the</strong> spread <strong>of</strong><br />

lskm <strong>and</strong> its enlightment. The tombs <strong>of</strong> such Sufis also came to be venerated by <strong>the</strong> masses<br />

along with that <strong>of</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r saintly personsloo.<br />

According to Islamic tenets, <strong>the</strong> Muslims can venerate such saints <strong>and</strong><br />

missionaries since <strong>the</strong>y were seen <strong>and</strong> shown as dear to Allah. In that a Muslim can<br />

perform a ziarath (homage to <strong>the</strong> dead), in <strong>the</strong> shrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> saint by reciting some<br />

verses from <strong>the</strong> Holy Quran ( 1.e. to plead with <strong>the</strong> Almighty to give an eternal,<br />

peaceful life to <strong>the</strong> saint). It is said that Prophet Mohamed himself has performed<br />

such ziaraths to his elders101. But in due course <strong>of</strong> time <strong>the</strong> saints <strong>and</strong> Aulias<br />

came to be regarded as men <strong>of</strong> God <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir birth <strong>and</strong> death anniversary came to<br />

be celebrated as Kanthoori <strong>and</strong> Urus.<br />

The celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> annual festival to <strong>the</strong> Aulias (holy persons) was in<br />

practice among <strong>the</strong> Arabs <strong>of</strong> Middle ages. It was known as moulid (eulogy).

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