Being the Other: The Muslim in India

by Saeed Naqvi

There are numerous ways to describe the dividing line between Shias and Sunnis. One of them, which applies to the Shias and Sunnis of India, is simple: Shias are in agreement with the followers of the family of the Prophet on the issue of succession after the Prophet’s death in 632 CE. By their reckoning, Ali should have succeeded him as the first caliph. He was the first convert to Islam, an outstanding soldier who led most of the Prophet’s military campaigns. He was, at the same time, an exceptional administrator and scholar. Did the Prophet nominate him as his successor? Shias cite the incident at Ghadir Khumm as clinching proof that the Prophet had indeed announced that Ali should be accepted as his successor. Returning to Medina after his last Haj at Mecca in March 632, three months before his death in June that year, the Prophet halted at a place called Ghadir. He lifted Ali’s hand and proclaimed: Munkunt O Maula, Haza Ali Maula (They who consider me their Maula or leader appointed by God, must also consider Ali their Maula). This line has become an essential declaration of faith at the start of every Qawwali session, the form of spiritual music based on Hindustani ragas initiated by Amir Khusro. Qawwals go into ecstasy singing the ‘Qaul’ or declaration of Ali’s prophethood. No Samma (qawwali sessions in Sufi shrines) can be held without the Qaul. Interestingly, a large percentage of the audience at a Samaa is usually Sunni. This is ample evidence of Sufi influence o...

Shii Sunni differences