Read the following statements regarding Sufis/Sufism and find the correct statements.

Statement 1: Sufis turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate.
Statement 2: They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur’an.
Statement 3: Amir Khusroe was the disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia.
Statement 4: Sheikh Muinuddin Sijzi was born in Delhi.

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

Statements 1, 2 and 3 only

The correct answer is Option 1- Statements 1, 2 and 3 only

Given statements:

Statement 1: Sufis turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate. (Correct)
Statement 2: They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur’an (Correct)
Statement 3: Amir Khusroe was the disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Aulia. (Correct)
Statement 4: Sheikh Muinuddin Sijzi was born in Delhi. (Incorrect)

In the early centuries of Islam, a group of religious-minded people called Sufis turned to asceticism and mysticism in protest against the growing materialism of the Caliphate as a religious and political institution. They were critical of the dogmatic definitions and scholastic methods of interpreting the Qur’an and sunna (traditions of the Prophet) adopted by theologians. Instead, they laid emphasis on seeking salvation through intense devotion and love for God by following His commands, and by following the example of the Prophet Muhammad whom they regarded as a perfect human being. The Sufis thus sought an interpretation of the Qur’an on the basis of their personal experience.

Amir Khusrau (1253-1325), the great poet, musician and disciple of Shaikh Nizamuddin Auliya, gave a unique form to the Chishti sama‘ by introducing the qaul (Arabic word meaning “saying”), a hymn sung at the opening or closing of qawwali.

Sheikh Muinuddin Sijzi was born in Sistan (Present day Iran) and settled in Ajmer.