154
extended to the descendants of the Prophet, the sayyids and sharifs[1].
The Shiʾite conception of their persons as sacred[2], inviolable and entitled to the reverence of all Believers, gradually became part of the orthodox teaching. Even had it not done so, the doctrine would have become popular in the Archipelago, for Islam as first introduced here from Hindustan has always shown Shiʾite tendencies.
Founders of mystic orders.Mysticism has also flourished extensively in Islam. In such esteem is it held that the founders of mystic societies (ṭarīqah), their successors and even the simplest teachers of mystic formulas or practices are within their own circle obeyed by their pupils and reverenced and feared by others as a sort of vice-regents of God.
It was from these societies especially that there arose the walis, the "friends of Allah". That they are chosen of God above their fellow men appears from manifest tokens of a miraculous nature (kramat). Their prayers can heal the sick, their blessing brings happiness for time and eternity and their curse misery. These influences are believed to issue from their graves after their death; hence vows are made at and presents brought to their holy tombs.
In the popular belief their mediation with Allah, who is of course too exalted to occupy himself with the small wants of his creatures, is almost indispensable, and the request for their good offices differs little from a prayer.
In the beginning of this century, the Wahhabites protested also against this universally prevalent idolatry, but without success. Every town, nay almost every village has its patron saint, and also the tombs of other holy men, whose blessing is invoked for certain definite purposes.
Under the influence of that mysticism which continually grew in popularity, and the constantly increasing veneration paid to prophets, sayyids and sharifs, teachers and saints, the position of the pandits or ulamas has also altered somewhat from what it originally was. As kee-
- ↑ As explained by me elsewhere, the application of these titles is subject to local differences, but as a general rule the descendants of Mohammad’s grandson Ḥasan are called sharifs and those of Ḥusain sayyids. Thus in the Indian Archipelago there are sayyids only, though the name of sharif is here and there applied to the descendants of sayyids born in the country.
- ↑ As to the development of this veneration for sayyids and sharifs see my "Mekka" vol. I p. 32 et seq. and pp. 71 et seq.
