Ranveer Allahbadia - Mohsin Raza Khan

1)  Mohsin Raza Khan, a professor of history at Jindal University, explains the origins of Sufism, which he says existed even before Islam in some form. While the exact origins of the term Sufi are unclear, there are several theories, including that it comes from the Greek word Sophia meaning wisdom, the Arabic word Safa meaning clean, or the term suf meaning wool cloak that these spiritual seekers wore to show their poverty. Raza Khan explains that Sufism is about love, the oneness of humanity, and the oneness of the world, and that it has inspired some of the greatest artists in the world.

2) Mohsin discusses how some people have a deeper quest for spirituality and meaning beyond the basics of religion, which is often related to having more free time as civilizations become more complex. He explains that, unlike other religions like Christianity and Jainism, Sufism and Hinduism believe you can fulfill your obligations and still be detached from this world, meaning you can be married and have children, and still follow the principles of the Bhagavad Gita or Quran. Mohsin also explains that as more people started doing these practices, various tarikas, or schools, and silsilas, or chains of masters and disciples, developed, each with their own particular practices. He mentions four important Sufi schools in India: Chistia, Qadria, Suhrawardi, and Nakshbandi.

3) Mohsin discusses the origins of Sufism which started around 690-700 with Hassan al-Basri and became popular in Mesopotamia, specifically in the area of Basra, Iraq. Within a couple of hundred years, Sufism took over the entire Islamic world. He talks about the concept of achieving self-realization or a state of oneness with God, which in modern days is called "monism". Mohsin also discusses Mansoor Halaj, who started saying "I am the truth", which in the Islamic world is considered shirk or a big crime for saying "I am God". Mansoor Halaj had achieved a state of "you are that", a mystical concept that is similar to Nirvana in Buddhism and Moksha in Hinduism. Mohsin explains that the self or the ego is called nafs in Arabic, and some Sufi orders like Nakshbandi do not believe in any music and believe that zikr should happen in quietness.

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4) Mohsin introduces the concept of Sufi philosophy and its historical background. He explains that Sufism was prevalent in the medieval world, and even modern-day poets such as Ghalib used to attend Sufi circles. Mohsin mentions Rumi, who was a famous figure in Sufism and is still a big deal in Turkey, Persia, and India. He describes Rumi's poetry as being very metaphysical and syncritic, and he influenced many Sufis after him, including modern-day poets like Iqbal. Mohsin also notes that Sufi poetry often uses love as a way to describe one's relationship with God, with the seeker usually being portrayed as female and God being portrayed as male.

5) Mohsin discusses the use of metaphors and storytelling in Sufi philosophy. Sufi tales like Hiranja and Sunni Mahiwal are used to explain divine love and the love of God in a way that is relatable to common people.

6) Mohsin mentions Ali and Air Rahman, who are known for their connection to Sufi philosophy and meditative practices. Sufi philosophy emphasizes ideas of unity, oneness, brotherhood, and divine love,which lead to a more loving demeanor towards other human beings. The story of Laila and Majnu is then discussed as an example of how Sufi masters prepare their ideas through stories. Majnu becomes a representation of the Sufi in the story, as he falls deeply in love, loses himself in the forest, and begs God to become even more deeply in love.

7) Mohsin explains the tragic love story of Layla and Majnu, inspired by a Sufi tale. Majnu is madly in love with Layla, but her father refuses to give her hand in marriage to him. Majnu becomes a recluse and starts living with the beasts in the jungle while Layla marries another man named Ibn Salam, who also remains devoted to her and does not touch her unless she wants him to. Meanwhile, Majnu's father passes away, and he goes deeper into seclusion, realizing that his destiny lies in loving Layla. The animals ofthe forest start protecting him, and Layla and Majnu finally meet with the help of an old sheikh, but Layla cannot bear the intensity of her love and stops 20 paces away from Majnu in the Palm Grove.

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8) Mohsin explains the Sufi philosophy through stories of unattainable love. He shares two tragic love stories, one of Laila and Majnu and another of Heer and Ranjha, where their love ends in tragedy. The essence of these stories is about this human yearning for the unattainable or the unattained, which is the essence of God according to Sufi's philosophy. For Sufis, the way to find God is through the path of love, and when the mirrors are removed, and the veils are lifted, what remains is love.

9) Mohsin explains the journey of a Sufi and how they follow the Sufi master through seven different valleys. Each valley represents a different stage of meditative or Sufi practices, leading to the final stage where the practitioner loses the sense of self and is confronted with a mirror, which represents themselves. The ultimate goal is to reach the stage of fanaa, where the ego, or nafs, is destroyed, and the practitioner realizes their trueself. The conversation also highlights how Sufism brings together multiple religions and cultures in India, forming a syncretic culture reflected in its songs and language.

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