Ecstasy and Sobriety: Expression of Two Schools of Sufism in one Suhrawardi Bukhari Lineage

The aim of this study is to provide an understanding of the dual concepts of ecstasy and sobriety in early Sufi tradition by discussing the doctrinal interpretation of the nature and role of ecstasy and sobriety as expressed by the founder of Sober School and ecstatic School. Sufism is a spiritual movement in Islam. The quest of every Sufi is to get closeness and unity with Allah. Although the goal is the same, but the ways to achieve the goal are diverses. Each Sufi order has its own ascetic discipline, devotional practices and doctrines. Among these doctrines, two dual approaches ecstasy and sobriety are considered very important in Sufism. Two eminent Sufi figures Abu Yazid Bastami and Abul Qasim Al-Junaid Al-Baghdadi are considered the representative of ecstatic/intoxicated and Sober Sufism with the implication that they were the founders of dual approaches of the schools of intoxication and sobriety. The division of these approaches or schools of Sufism was first suggested by Syed Ali Hajveri in his book Kashf Al-Mahjub and gave preference to sobriety over ecstasy. Present study is based on the comparative analysis of these two dual approaches with special reference to Syed Ahmed Kabir and Syed Makhdum Jahanian Jahangasht of Khanwada e Bukharia in Uch. Although both belonged to the same family and spiritual lineage yet their approach and method to attain spiritual goal was diverse.