Sufism was a liberal reform movement within Islam. With reference to Sufism, write short notes on the following:

(a) Devotion to God

(b) Caste distinctions

(c) Unity of all religions

(a) Devotion to God — Sufi saints like Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Hazrat Nizamuddin, stressed love and good actions as means of realising God. According to Sufism one can reach God through personal devotion and not through empty rituals. The Doctrines of Sufism include that individual soul is manifestation of the Supreme God and human soul would finally merge with it. Also inner purity and self-discipline are essential for gaining the knowledge of God.

(b) Caste distinctions — Sufism was a liberal reform movement which created an atmosphere on which liberal sentiments and views could grow and narrowness of cast and religion was shunned. Equality and brotherhood of all human beings irrespective of caste, colour, creed was emphasised. Sufism basically freed people from the holds of age old rigid caste system.

(c) Unity of all religions — Sufism believed in fundamental unity of all religions. It insisted that the God is one and only he is worshipped under different names. They shunned all the rituals of different religions as according to them one can reach the God through personal devotion and not through empty rituals. Sufism fostered the feelings of Hindu-Muslim unity. It played a great role in promoting feelings of tolerance among the rulers. People, irrespective of their religion, began to understand and appreciate others' faith.