Spiritualism key to fighting militancy and extremism: Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani

Sahibzada Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani has said that the teachings of the Sufis have their relevance in this age and are the source of peace within and without if implemented in letter and spirit. He said that the Sufis fought against the forces of militancy, extremism and bigotry in every age, and kept up the standard of peace, harmony and tolerance in the society.

Paying rich tribute to the scholarship of Syedna Hazrat Ali Hajveri (RA), Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani said that Data Sahib formulated the principles of mysticism and spiritualism and rendered them into practicable format, which would continue to guide the seekers of mystic knowledge for times to come. He further said that if we did not promote the mystic and spiritual values, we would continue to grope in the dark without any light at the end of the tunnel.

Faiz-ur-Rehman Durrani expressed these views while addressing a seminar held on the subject of the teachings of mystics and peace in Lahore today.

Speaking on the occasion, Farhat Hussain Shah said that the teachings of spiritualists were based on the Holy Quran and Sunna of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Sufis, he said, guided the Muslims in every age and showed them the light in the thick of darkness. The Sufis established the highest examples of service to humanity, submission to Allah Almighty, gratitude, and resignation. He said that the Sufis were the ambassadors of peace and human welfare and they continued to rule human minds and hearts despite the passage of decades and centuries.

Farhat Hussain Shah said that Data Sahib occupied a distinguished position among the Sufis because he was not only a practicing Sufi but a scholar par excellence. He said that Data sahib also founded a tradition of real mysticism and spiritualism, as it was informed by knowledge of the Holy Quran and Sunna.

In his remarks, Allama Asif Akbar Mir said that the extremists did not know the teachings of spiritualism. The Sufis reformed the individual and collective ethos of people and presided over public welfare.

Allama Muhammad Hussain Azad said that heinous conspiracies were being hatched against Pakistan and the Muslims and there was a need of igniting the candles of mysticism to fight off the challenges of the day.

Usman Sialvi, Mumtaz Siddiqi and Latif Madni also spoke on the occasion.