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In Search of the Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India
Sufism, called the mystical dimension of Islam, is known for its inclusive nature, as well as its ethics of love and compassion, its devotional music, art and architecture. In India's syncretic culture, Sufism developed a distinct character, and harmoniously embraced the Bhakti traditions of North India.
Rana Safvi's In Search of the Divine delves into the fascinating roots of Sufism, with its emphasis on ihsan, iman and akhlaq, and the impact it continues to have on people from all communities. Safvi relies not only on textual sources but also on her own visits to dargahs across the country, and the conversations she has with devotees and pirs alike. The book evokes in vivid detail the sacred atmosphere she encounters - the reverent crowds, the strains of qawwali and the fragrance of incense, as well as highlights the undeniable yet often forgotten contributions of women in Sufism. The resulting text is at once modern and a tribute to the rich and textured past.
Weaving together fact and popular legend, ancient histories and living tradition, this unique treatise examines core Sufi beliefs and uncovers why they might offer hope for the future.
Rana Safvi's In Search of the Divine delves into the fascinating roots of Sufism, with its emphasis on ihsan, iman and akhlaq, and the impact it continues to have on people from all communities. Safvi relies not only on textual sources but also on her own visits to dargahs across the country, and the conversations she has with devotees and pirs alike. The book evokes in vivid detail the sacred atmosphere she encounters - the reverent crowds, the strains of qawwali and the fragrance of incense, as well as highlights the undeniable yet often forgotten contributions of women in Sufism. The resulting text is at once modern and a tribute to the rich and textured past.
Weaving together fact and popular legend, ancient histories and living tradition, this unique treatise examines core Sufi beliefs and uncovers why they might offer hope for the future.
432 pages, Hardcover
Published September 1, 2022
26 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
About the author
Rana Safvi
12 books45 followersRana Safvi is a prominent figure deeply committed to India's rich cultural heritage and diverse civilizational legacy. Her work spans a variety of media including writings, podcasts, videos, and translations. With a remarkable portfolio, she has authored ten books that delve into topics ranging from culture and history to the monuments of India. Notable titles among her works include "Tales from the Quran and Hadith," "The Delhi Trilogy: Where Stones Speak," "The Forgotten Cities of Delhi," "Shahjahanabad: The Living City of Old Delhi," "A Saint, A Folk Tale and Other Stories," and "In Search of The Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India."
In addition to her literary contributions, Rana Safvi has undertaken the task of translating significant works into English. Notably, she has translated Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's pivotal piece on Delhi, "Asar-us-Sanadid," and "Dastan-e-Ghadar," along with four accounts of Delhi from the 19th and 20th centuries. Her prowess extends beyond the written word—she is a regular contributor to various national newspapers and magazines and has actively participated in conferences and seminars.
Rana Safvi's blog, "ranasafvi.com," serves as a treasure trove of cultural, literary, and historical insights. Her expertise even extends to the realm of food history, where she has penned numerous articles and engaged in conferences on the subject. Notably, she is part of the "Forgotten Food" project at the University of Sheffield, contributing to "Desi Delicacies," a best-selling food anthology in 2021. Within this anthology, she authored a chapter focusing on Qorma, Qaliya, and Awadh cuisine.
Overall, Rana Safvi's multifaceted contributions encompass history, literature, cultural preservation, and the exploration of culinary heritage. Through her diverse efforts, she continues to enrich our understanding of India's multifarious tapestry and deep-rooted traditions.
In addition to her literary contributions, Rana Safvi has undertaken the task of translating significant works into English. Notably, she has translated Sir Syed Ahmad Khan's pivotal piece on Delhi, "Asar-us-Sanadid," and "Dastan-e-Ghadar," along with four accounts of Delhi from the 19th and 20th centuries. Her prowess extends beyond the written word—she is a regular contributor to various national newspapers and magazines and has actively participated in conferences and seminars.
Rana Safvi's blog, "ranasafvi.com," serves as a treasure trove of cultural, literary, and historical insights. Her expertise even extends to the realm of food history, where she has penned numerous articles and engaged in conferences on the subject. Notably, she is part of the "Forgotten Food" project at the University of Sheffield, contributing to "Desi Delicacies," a best-selling food anthology in 2021. Within this anthology, she authored a chapter focusing on Qorma, Qaliya, and Awadh cuisine.
Overall, Rana Safvi's multifaceted contributions encompass history, literature, cultural preservation, and the exploration of culinary heritage. Through her diverse efforts, she continues to enrich our understanding of India's multifarious tapestry and deep-rooted traditions.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 20, 2025
What does it mean to truly seek the divine? Is it found in whispered prayers, the haunting melody of a qawwali, or the quiet solitude of a dargah courtyard? Rana Safvi’s In "Search of the Divine: Living Histories" of Sufism in India is not just a book—it’s a soulful journey into the heart of Sufism, where history, faith, and personal experience intertwine.
Through her travels across India’s sacred Sufi sites, Safvi brings to life the devotion that lingers in these spaces—the scent of incense curling into the air, the rhythm of drumbeats guiding lost souls, and the unwavering faith of those who come seeking solace. More than a historical account, this book feels like an intimate conversation, as if the author is walking beside you, sharing stories of saints, mystics, and the timeless messages of love and unity that Sufism embodies.
What makes this book stand out is how it seamlessly blends the past with the present. Safvi doesn’t just recount history—she breathes life into it. She explores the deep-rooted connections between Sufism and Bhakti traditions, delves into the values of ihsan, iman, and akhlaq, and highlights the often-overlooked role of women in Sufi history. Her interactions with devotees and caretakers add a deeply personal touch, making the reader feel as if they, too, are part of this spiritual quest.
"In Search of the Divine" is more than a book—it’s an experience. Whether you’re familiar with Sufism or discovering it for the first time, this book will leave you reflecting on the nature of faith, devotion, and the power of love that transcends all boundaries. If you’ve ever felt the pull of something greater than yourself, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
Through her travels across India’s sacred Sufi sites, Safvi brings to life the devotion that lingers in these spaces—the scent of incense curling into the air, the rhythm of drumbeats guiding lost souls, and the unwavering faith of those who come seeking solace. More than a historical account, this book feels like an intimate conversation, as if the author is walking beside you, sharing stories of saints, mystics, and the timeless messages of love and unity that Sufism embodies.
What makes this book stand out is how it seamlessly blends the past with the present. Safvi doesn’t just recount history—she breathes life into it. She explores the deep-rooted connections between Sufism and Bhakti traditions, delves into the values of ihsan, iman, and akhlaq, and highlights the often-overlooked role of women in Sufi history. Her interactions with devotees and caretakers add a deeply personal touch, making the reader feel as if they, too, are part of this spiritual quest.
"In Search of the Divine" is more than a book—it’s an experience. Whether you’re familiar with Sufism or discovering it for the first time, this book will leave you reflecting on the nature of faith, devotion, and the power of love that transcends all boundaries. If you’ve ever felt the pull of something greater than yourself, this is a journey you won’t want to miss.
April 28, 2025
I recently finished reading "In Search of the Divine" by Rana Safvi, and I must say it was an enlightening experience. This book offers a deep dive into Sufism, exploring its core beliefs, practices, and impact on people from various communities.
The author's approach is unique, blending historical facts with personal anecdotes and conversations with Sufi devotees and pirs. This makes the book feel more like a personal journey than a dry historical account.
The book provides a wealth of information on Sufism's development in India, its syncretic nature, and its emphasis on love, compassion, and devotion. Rana Safvi also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in Sufism, which adds depth to the narrative.
What resonated with me most was the book's message of hope. In a world often marked by divisions, Sufism's emphasis on unity, love, and compassion offers a refreshing perspective.
All-in-all, "In Search of the Divine" is a compelling read for anyone interested in Sufism, spirituality, or Indian culture. Rana Safvi's writing is engaging, and her passion for the subject shines through. I highly recommend this book for its thought-provoking insights and nuanced exploration of Sufism.
The author's approach is unique, blending historical facts with personal anecdotes and conversations with Sufi devotees and pirs. This makes the book feel more like a personal journey than a dry historical account.
The book provides a wealth of information on Sufism's development in India, its syncretic nature, and its emphasis on love, compassion, and devotion. Rana Safvi also highlights the often-overlooked contributions of women in Sufism, which adds depth to the narrative.
What resonated with me most was the book's message of hope. In a world often marked by divisions, Sufism's emphasis on unity, love, and compassion offers a refreshing perspective.
All-in-all, "In Search of the Divine" is a compelling read for anyone interested in Sufism, spirituality, or Indian culture. Rana Safvi's writing is engaging, and her passion for the subject shines through. I highly recommend this book for its thought-provoking insights and nuanced exploration of Sufism.
October 30, 2022
In Search of the Divine: Living Histories of Sufism in India
Rana Safvi
Hachette India
INR 599
Sufism is the aspect of Islam that is most popular in India, attracting people from all faiths who are drawn by its mysticism, poetry and music. The Sufi saint Mevalana Jalaluddin Rumi is the most quoted mystic in the West and Sufi songs pop up very often in Bollywood, or used to.
Rana Safvi’s latest book delves into the ‘fascinating roots of Sufism, with its emphasis on 'ihsan', 'iman' and 'akhlaq', and the impact it continues to have on people from all communities’. Safvi used her journeys to over 100 shrines across the nation and her talks with followers and pirs, or Sufi spiritual advisers, to enrich her narrative, in addition to textual sources to put the book together. The first of the book traces the links between the Prophet, his descendants and Sufism, which is known as the ‘mystical dimension of Islam’. Through hadiths and histories, Safvi directly connects tawasuf to Islam while emphasizing the inclusiveness and poetry of Sufis. She expands on the key concepts so that Sufism is clear for readers before embarking on the different Silsilahs of Sufism in India.
Safvi talks about the Suhrawaddy silsilah of Bengal – not so well known in its home state – and the fact that Bengal was an important centre of Sufism. She goes on to the Qudriyas and the Nakshbandis covering Kashmir and Delhi before moving on to the last section that covers the popular dargahs of the country, each with their own kind of music and urs. Assam has its jikr, something that Delhi celebrates as the rhythms of qawwali; in the Deccan, dargahs are visited during amavasya, the lunar phase of the new moon; while in the north, nauchandi jumeraat, the new moon on Thursday, is the day that attracts devotees
The Ajmer Sharif dargah is a place known for the way in which spirituality intersects with the sea of humanity where the spirit of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, also known as Gharib Nawaz to thousands of devotees, resides. Nizamduddin is equally well known for music, mysticism and spirituality. Safvi’s narrative focuses on Ajmer and on Nizamuddin, the two historic dargahs shored up by the prayers of millions, from various faiths. But those are the ones everyone knows – especially with Amir Khushru’s poems for Nizamuddin Auliya that laud God’s love eloquently, the result, goes the legend, of his lips being touched by the saint’s saliva. However, it is Safvi’s intent to expand the knowledge base of her readers and open up the world of Sufi mysticism to them and show them how it has reached out across the country.
Six years of research have resulted in a detailed, reverent work of faith and scholasticism that is guaranteed to give readers in depth insight into the world of the Sufis – Safvi also includes the various contributions of women, which are normally overlooked, beginning with the Prophet’s wives and the courage of his daughter at Karbala.
The book becomes a guidebook of popular dargahs and ventures into travelogue territory, testifying to Safvi’s ability to cross genres. In all it is a tantalising glimpse into a world that has fascinated lovers of spiritual mysticism and Rumi fans since time immemorial - despite the fact that most of the Rumi quotes that fly around are not original. The 21st century and a post Covid syndrome has only strengthened the quest for spiritual meaning, regardless of the faith involved - especially in a time habituated to the harsh laying down of religious laws with little room for flexibility or kindness.
Rana Safvi
Hachette India
INR 599
Sufism is the aspect of Islam that is most popular in India, attracting people from all faiths who are drawn by its mysticism, poetry and music. The Sufi saint Mevalana Jalaluddin Rumi is the most quoted mystic in the West and Sufi songs pop up very often in Bollywood, or used to.
Rana Safvi’s latest book delves into the ‘fascinating roots of Sufism, with its emphasis on 'ihsan', 'iman' and 'akhlaq', and the impact it continues to have on people from all communities’. Safvi used her journeys to over 100 shrines across the nation and her talks with followers and pirs, or Sufi spiritual advisers, to enrich her narrative, in addition to textual sources to put the book together. The first of the book traces the links between the Prophet, his descendants and Sufism, which is known as the ‘mystical dimension of Islam’. Through hadiths and histories, Safvi directly connects tawasuf to Islam while emphasizing the inclusiveness and poetry of Sufis. She expands on the key concepts so that Sufism is clear for readers before embarking on the different Silsilahs of Sufism in India.
Safvi talks about the Suhrawaddy silsilah of Bengal – not so well known in its home state – and the fact that Bengal was an important centre of Sufism. She goes on to the Qudriyas and the Nakshbandis covering Kashmir and Delhi before moving on to the last section that covers the popular dargahs of the country, each with their own kind of music and urs. Assam has its jikr, something that Delhi celebrates as the rhythms of qawwali; in the Deccan, dargahs are visited during amavasya, the lunar phase of the new moon; while in the north, nauchandi jumeraat, the new moon on Thursday, is the day that attracts devotees
The Ajmer Sharif dargah is a place known for the way in which spirituality intersects with the sea of humanity where the spirit of Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, also known as Gharib Nawaz to thousands of devotees, resides. Nizamduddin is equally well known for music, mysticism and spirituality. Safvi’s narrative focuses on Ajmer and on Nizamuddin, the two historic dargahs shored up by the prayers of millions, from various faiths. But those are the ones everyone knows – especially with Amir Khushru’s poems for Nizamuddin Auliya that laud God’s love eloquently, the result, goes the legend, of his lips being touched by the saint’s saliva. However, it is Safvi’s intent to expand the knowledge base of her readers and open up the world of Sufi mysticism to them and show them how it has reached out across the country.
Six years of research have resulted in a detailed, reverent work of faith and scholasticism that is guaranteed to give readers in depth insight into the world of the Sufis – Safvi also includes the various contributions of women, which are normally overlooked, beginning with the Prophet’s wives and the courage of his daughter at Karbala.
The book becomes a guidebook of popular dargahs and ventures into travelogue territory, testifying to Safvi’s ability to cross genres. In all it is a tantalising glimpse into a world that has fascinated lovers of spiritual mysticism and Rumi fans since time immemorial - despite the fact that most of the Rumi quotes that fly around are not original. The 21st century and a post Covid syndrome has only strengthened the quest for spiritual meaning, regardless of the faith involved - especially in a time habituated to the harsh laying down of religious laws with little room for flexibility or kindness.
February 18, 2023
This well-researched historic non-fiction speaks elaborately on the start and spread of Sufism across the globe. Though Islam is a religion that doesn't encourage separate sects, people have divided themselves into groups based on their understanding of religious teachings. Sufism is one such group among others which is famous for its mystical elements and metaphysical connection.
I myself am unaware of most aspects of Sufism and it was interesting to read about its roots and how it was welcomed in India. The book is based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith which were explained with references. Though I came across a few sayings which are not from reliable sources and come across as myths, many others were taken from authentic references.
Read the book if you want to know about the history of Islam, the prophet, his teachings, the Sufis, the story of pirs and Dargahs, their lifestyle to attain spirituality, Rumi and the connection between Sufis and saints. The book mentions many women and women pirs who also contributed to Islam which is not much spoken about regularly.
Read if you are all in for historical non-fiction books based on Islam.
My review: 4/5
I myself am unaware of most aspects of Sufism and it was interesting to read about its roots and how it was welcomed in India. The book is based on the teachings of the Quran and Hadith which were explained with references. Though I came across a few sayings which are not from reliable sources and come across as myths, many others were taken from authentic references.
Read the book if you want to know about the history of Islam, the prophet, his teachings, the Sufis, the story of pirs and Dargahs, their lifestyle to attain spirituality, Rumi and the connection between Sufis and saints. The book mentions many women and women pirs who also contributed to Islam which is not much spoken about regularly.
Read if you are all in for historical non-fiction books based on Islam.
My review: 4/5
June 6, 2023
Safvi does a good job of distilling down complex Sufi concepts for the lay reader. She provides a detailed account of the four Sufi orders that flourish in modern India, as well as the pluralistic culture that has persisted at these sacred sites since they were established under the Delhi Sultanate. In weaving together history, popular legend, and her own ethnographic research, Safvi transports readers to dargahs across India that remain a testament to the inclusive nature of Sufism and Islam.
Wish there were pictures of the shrines she discusses; would have made for a more enriching experience.
Wish there were pictures of the shrines she discusses; would have made for a more enriching experience.
November 22, 2023
I think this book is a good point of entry into the philosophy of Sufism. Very concise, replete with personal anecdotes and poetry. I did not expect it to include such an expansive account of the dargahs of India and their specific histories. While it was fascinating to read about them, it felt repetitive. However, the book does justice to exploring the theological nuances of Sufism and tracing its origins. Safvi's research deserves applause.
March 1, 2024
This book is a meticulously researched exploration into Sufism and its deep-rooted connections with Islam. The author skilfully introduces readers to the profound philosophy inherent in Sufism, unravelling its spiritual intricacies with clarity. The book goes beyond a mere overview, delving into the diverse silsilahs or types of Sufism, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of the nuanced distinctions characterizing each school of thought within this rich tradition.
April 2, 2023
Informative and spiritual without being dogmatic
It is a very informative book about Sufism in India, the history, the places, the various historical figures involved et cetera. Further, Ms. Safvi's books are always meticulously researched, and this book is no exception.
It was a nice read and I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in Sufism in India.
It is a very informative book about Sufism in India, the history, the places, the various historical figures involved et cetera. Further, Ms. Safvi's books are always meticulously researched, and this book is no exception.
It was a nice read and I will recommend it to anyone who is interested in Sufism in India.
October 11, 2024
It is a good source in english to enlighten the idea of Sufism and its intricacies. The processes and steps and evolution of Sufism is explained in detail.
However there is a stress of time to emphasize the syncretic nature of Indian sufism , which is visible throughout the book and more so the inclination to establish shia ideation with sufism.
However there is a stress of time to emphasize the syncretic nature of Indian sufism , which is visible throughout the book and more so the inclination to establish shia ideation with sufism.
August 3, 2025
such an intellectually enticing book.. only qualm is that there’s no index— it’s difficult to refer to the text for referencing later.. otherwise splendid..
if there’s another edition in the queens, i’d like to read more in the interactions between sufi and christian/ buddhist missionaries - which i found missing in the current edition.
if there’s another edition in the queens, i’d like to read more in the interactions between sufi and christian/ buddhist missionaries - which i found missing in the current edition.
January 22, 2023
Read it to understand the history of Sufism in India and its cultural context. Well researched chapters on each of the Sufi saints and Shrines
April 24, 2023
It's a good repository of Sufi history, Dargah and Silisillah! Good reference book. I would say not a very smooth read!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews