HistoryMedieval India: Bhakti Sufi Traditions

Which of the following pairs about sufi devotional practice is correc…

Which of the following pairs about sufi devotional practice is correctly matched?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → Sama' - literally "audition"

Option (1) Zikr - performance of mystical music — Incorrect. Zikr is the reciting of the Divine Names. Mystical music is the way of sama'.

Option (2) Qawwals - reciters of the Divine Names — Incorrect. Qawwals are specially trained musicians who perform mystical chants at shrines to evoke divine ecstasy. Reciting the Divine Names is zikr.

Option (3) Sama' - literally "audition" — Correct. Sama' literally means audition. It evokes God's Presence through mystical music and was central to the Chishtis.

Option (4) Barakat - divine ecstasy evoked by music — Incorrect. Barakat is the spiritual grace of a sufi that pilgrims seek. Divine ecstasy is what the qawwals' music aims to evoke.

NCERT (2026-27): “7.2 Chishti devotionalism: ziyarat and qawwali …
Also part of ziyarat is the use of music and dance including mystical chants performed by specially trained musicians or qawwals to evoke divine ecstasy. The sufis remember God either by reciting the zikr (the Divine Names) or evoking His Presence through sama‘ (literally, “audition”) or performance of mystical music. Sama‘ was integral to the Chishtis, and exemplified interaction with indigenous devotional traditions.”