A Comparison and Assessment of the Views of Contemporary Naqshbandīs and Chishtīs in Razavi Khorasan

Throughout Islamic territories, mysticism and Sufism have manifested in a variety of orders in accordance with demands of time, place, and characters. In southern parts of Razavi Khorasan, the Sufi heritage has been preserved in the form of two Sufi orders: Naqshbandiyya and Chishtiyya. The present research is done in order to learn more about the condition, masters, practices, and dhikrs of the two orders in the contemporary period in southern parts of Razavi Khorasan. The two orders are influenced by Dīvbandī doctrines in eastern Islamic world, and are strongly tied with the religion and Sharia. Masters of these Sufi orders try hard to preserve the Prophet Muhammad’s tradition, and public appearances of their followers are in compliance with the tradition. Their major ritual practice consists in collective assemblies of dhikr. Moreover, theoretical aspects of the Naqshbandī order seem to be stronger than those of the Chishtī order.