Music of Zahuris

Music, Qawwali and Sama

In the Sufi tradition, music may serve as an aid to spiritual contemplation, helping to draw the mind and heart closer to Allah. Its value lies not merely in the sound itself, but in the purpose for which it is heard. As Zahuri expresses it, “Sama is a state of mind, heart and body; when they are pure.”

In the Indian subcontinent, Sama is closely associated with Qawwali, a devotional musical tradition whose songs and poetry express praise of Allah, love for the Prophet, reverence for Sufi saints, and the mysteries of divine love. In Konya, the tradition of Mevlana Rumi is expressed through a different musical and spiritual heritage, in which the ney, devotional singing, Zikr (the remembrance of Allah), and the turning of the dervishes hold an important place. Though these traditions take different forms, music in both can serve as a means of spiritual devotion, pointing beyond the sound itself towards a deeper experience.