Langar (Sufism): Difference between revisions
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{{for|the Sikh practice|Langar (Sikhism)}} |
{{for|the Sikh practice|Langar (Sikhism)}} |
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'''Langar''' is the provision of free food to the needy in a religious context. Its origin is from [[Sufism]] ([[Islam]]) because serving of food to the needy has been a rich tradition in Sufism, especially of the [[Chishti Order]]. There is extensive use of free food imagery and metaphor in Sufi writings. Sugar and other sweet foods represent the sweetness of piety and community with God, while salt symbolizes purity and incorruptibility. Through the pronouncement of [[Bismallah]] during the bread-making process, the bread is imbued with spiritual power or [[Barakah|barakat]], which is shared by those who eat the bread. The transformation of the raw [[wheat]] to finished bread is used as an analogy for Sufi [[spiritual development]]. |
'''Langar''' (Persian: لنگر) is the provision of free food to the needy in a religious context. Its origin is from [[Sufism]] ([[Islam]]) because serving of food to the needy has been a rich tradition in Sufism, especially of the [[Chishti Order]]. There is extensive use of free food imagery and metaphor in Sufi writings. Sugar and other sweet foods represent the sweetness of piety and community with God, while salt symbolizes purity and incorruptibility. Through the pronouncement of [[Bismallah]] during the bread-making process, the bread is imbued with spiritual power or [[Barakah|barakat]], which is shared by those who eat the bread. The transformation of the raw [[wheat]] to finished bread is used as an analogy for Sufi [[spiritual development]]. |
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Sufi ritual observances ([[dhikr]]) are concerned with remembrance of God through exaltation and praise. Singing, dancing, and drumming are commonly part of such rituals, as is sharing of food. For example, [[Ashure|ashura]] is a dish that takes its name from [[Ashura|the festival]] celebrated by the [[Shia]] sect of Islam. During preparation of the ashura, [[Mullah|mulla]]s stir the pot in a special way while pronouncing the name of God. Sharing the ashura then becomes a way of spreading remembrance of God in the form of bodily nourishment. |
Sufi ritual observances ([[dhikr]]) are concerned with remembrance of God through exaltation and praise. Singing, dancing, and drumming are commonly part of such rituals, as is sharing of food. For example, [[Ashure|ashura]] is a dish that takes its name from [[Ashura|the festival]] celebrated by the [[Shia]] sect of Islam. During preparation of the ashura, [[Mullah|mulla]]s stir the pot in a special way while pronouncing the name of God. Sharing the ashura then becomes a way of spreading remembrance of God in the form of bodily nourishment. |
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Food is served out of a massive{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=March 2016}} pot called a ''deg'' in the precincts of a [[dargah]] (Sufi shrine), and is usually vegetarian. It is also actively distributed to the poor.<ref>Kathleen Seidel, ''[http://www.superluminal.com/cookbook/essay_serving_love.html Serving Love]'', ''Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook", September 2000. Accessed 15 January 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2005.00115.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=muwo Blackwell Synergy - Muslim World, The, Volume 95 Issue 4, pages 604–608, October 2005 (Article Abstract)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft3p30056w&doc.view=content&chunk.id=d0e5583&toc.depth=1&anchor.id=0&brand=eschol Before Taliban "d0e5583"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
Food is served out of a massive{{Clarify|reason=vague|date=March 2016}} pot called a ''deg'' in the precincts of a [[dargah]] (Sufi shrine), and is usually vegetarian. It is also actively distributed to the poor.<ref>Kathleen Seidel, ''[http://www.superluminal.com/cookbook/essay_serving_love.html Serving Love]'', ''Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook", September 2000. Accessed 15 January 2010.</ref><ref>[http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1478-1913.2005.00115.x?cookieSet=1&journalCode=muwo Blackwell Synergy - Muslim World, The, Volume 95 Issue 4, pages 604–608, October 2005 (Article Abstract)<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://content.cdlib.org/xtf/view?docId=ft3p30056w&doc.view=content&chunk.id=d0e5583&toc.depth=1&anchor.id=0&brand=eschol Before Taliban "d0e5583"<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> |
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==History== |
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[[Langar (Sufism)|Langar]], the practice and institution, was first started by [[Fariduddin Ganjshakar|Baba Farid]], a Muslim of the [[Chishti Order|Chishti]] [[Sufi]] order.<ref>{{citation|url=https://books.google.com.pk/books?id=L2l56GzQ7d0C&pg=PA45|title=Epilogue, Vol 4, Issue 1 |page=45}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=RBQgAAAAMAAJ&|title=Baba Sheikh Farid: His Life and Teaching|page=7|}}</ref> The institution of the langar was already popular in the 12th and 13th century among [[Sufi|Sufis]] (Muslim mystics) of the [[Indian subcontinent]]. The practice grew and is documented in the ''Jawahir al-Faridi'' compiled in 1623 CE.<ref>{{cite book|author=Barbara D Metcalf|title=Moral Conduct and Authority: The Place of Adab in South Asian Islam|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y5-vzVq8hdkC |year=1984|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-04660-3|pages=336–339}}</ref> It was later, both the institution and term, adopted by Sikhs.<ref>{{citation|url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=6fI7AQAAIAAJ&|title=Transactions, Volume 4|publisher=Indian Institute of Advanced Study|author=R. Nivas|others=" The word langar, and this institution has been borrowed, so to speak, from the Sufis. The khanqas of the Chisti and other Sufi saints had a langar open to the poor and the rich, though the Hindus mostly kept away from them. To make the Brahmin sit with the pariah and do away with untouch- ability, and to make the Hindus and Muslims eat from the same kitchen and destroy all social"|page=190|}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 17:10, 4 January 2019
Langar (Persian: لنگر) is the provision of free food to the needy in a religious context. Its origin is from Sufism (Islam) because serving of food to the needy has been a rich tradition in Sufism, especially of the Chishti Order. There is extensive use of free food imagery and metaphor in Sufi writings. Sugar and other sweet foods represent the sweetness of piety and community with God, while salt symbolizes purity and incorruptibility. Through the pronouncement of Bismallah during the bread-making process, the bread is imbued with spiritual power or barakat, which is shared by those who eat the bread. The transformation of the raw wheat to finished bread is used as an analogy for Sufi spiritual development.
Sufi ritual observances (dhikr) are concerned with remembrance of God through exaltation and praise. Singing, dancing, and drumming are commonly part of such rituals, as is sharing of food. For example, ashura is a dish that takes its name from the festival celebrated by the Shia sect of Islam. During preparation of the ashura, mullas stir the pot in a special way while pronouncing the name of God. Sharing the ashura then becomes a way of spreading remembrance of God in the form of bodily nourishment.
The tradition of Langar was also adopted by the Sikh community, where it goes by the same name.
Food is served out of a massive[clarification needed] pot called a deg in the precincts of a dargah (Sufi shrine), and is usually vegetarian. It is also actively distributed to the poor.[1][2][3]
History
Langar, the practice and institution, was first started by Baba Farid, a Muslim of the Chishti Sufi order.[4][5] The institution of the langar was already popular in the 12th and 13th century among Sufis (Muslim mystics) of the Indian subcontinent. The practice grew and is documented in the Jawahir al-Faridi compiled in 1623 CE.[6] It was later, both the institution and term, adopted by Sikhs.[7]
References
- ^ Kathleen Seidel, Serving Love, Serving the Guest: A Sufi Cookbook", September 2000. Accessed 15 January 2010.
- ^ Blackwell Synergy - Muslim World, The, Volume 95 Issue 4, pages 604–608, October 2005 (Article Abstract)
- ^ Before Taliban "d0e5583"
- ^ Epilogue, Vol 4, Issue 1, p. 45
- ^ Baba Sheikh Farid: His Life and Teaching, p. 7
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ Barbara D Metcalf (1984). Moral Conduct and Authority: The Place of Adab in South Asian Islam. University of California Press. pp. 336–339. ISBN 978-0-520-04660-3.
- ^ R. Nivas, Transactions, Volume 4, " The word langar, and this institution has been borrowed, so to speak, from the Sufis. The khanqas of the Chisti and other Sufi saints had a langar open to the poor and the rich, though the Hindus mostly kept away from them. To make the Brahmin sit with the pariah and do away with untouch- ability, and to make the Hindus and Muslims eat from the same kitchen and destroy all social", Indian Institute of Advanced Study, p. 190
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)
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