List of best sufi songs for all the music lovers

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The ever-changing spiritual and cultural landscape of India saw the addition of a spiritual and philosophical layer in the 11th century when Sufism knocked on the subcontinent’s door. The movement encouraged and facilitated arts as a method to disseminate the teachings, and music was one of the most popular choices. The success of Sufi music can still be felt centuries later, as lyricists and musicians turn to Sufi songs when they need to touch millions’ souls with love and devotion. Bollywood was no exception when it came to the magic of Sufi songs. In this blog, we have listed a few songs that can be regarded as the best Sufi songs of all time.

Kun Faya Kun

Starting the list of best Sufi songs with ‘Kun Faya Kun’, which resonates with the core aspect of the movement, one’s spiritual journey, and devotion to the Almighty. The 2011 song was a part of the soundtrack for the movie ‘Rockstar’.

Lyricist Irshad Kamal primarily uses Hindi and Urdu, borrowing the main phrases from the Quran, which was also famously used by Muhammad Iqbal in his poems. The Arabic phrase translates to ‘Be as it is.’ Music legend A.R. Rahman creates a cathartic experience for the listeners as he perfectly blends the voices of Mohit Chauhan and Javed Ali in the Sufi song with a qawwali format.

Chaiyyan Chaiyyan

The 1998 song, shot on top of the train with the luscious green background and Shah Rukh Khan’s spirited dance, doesn’t come across as a Sufi song at first. However, when you look into the mind of the veteran lyricist Gulzar, the song is originally inspired by Sufi poet Bulleh Shah’s folk song “Thaiya Thaiya”.

The raw and earthy vocals of Sukhiwinder Singh and Sapna Awasthi serve as the tool for A.R. Rahman to bring together the concepts of nature and devotion.

Alif Allah

Sufi poems have long been used as the map for many famous Sufi songs over the years. One of the best examples is Pakistani singer Arif Lohar’s adaptation of the 1980 qawwali “Alif Allah Chambe Di Booti” by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan for Coke Studio Pakistan season 3. The rendition found mainstream popularity and was also featured in the soundtrack of the 2012 movie Cocktail by the name “Jugni”.

Bulleya

Another ode to the 11th-century Sufi poet Bulleh Shah is the Sufi song Bulleya from the 2016 movie Ae Dil Hai Mushkil. The song written by Amitabh Bhattacharya is a story of a heartbroken lover who calls upon the Sufi poet for his guidance to navigate through the pain and find peace from their spiritual and emotional turmoil.

Pritam chose Amit Mishra and Shilpa Rao to bring life to Bhattacharya’s words. Upon its release the song instantly resonated with the masses and enjoyed commercial success. Thus, making it to our list of best Sufi songs.

Tumhe Dilagi

The discussion on modern Sufi songs is incomplete without the mention of the maestro Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. Many of the best Sufi songs, which have been a staple in the world of qawwali, have been a gift from the Pakistani singer.

One such song is Tumhe Dillagi, in which a lover pleads to God (or their lover) to understand the pain of love and not mistake their love (Mohhabat) for mere infatuation (dillagi).

Afreen Afreen

The Sufi song Afreen Afreen is a prime example of what happens when the artistic visions of two legends come together. Javed Akhtar beautifully uses the phrase ‘Afreen Afreen’, and the repetitive nature of the phrase throughout the song makes it sound like a devotional chant for God, the creator who created her. Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s rich vocals capture the sweet and spiritual essence of the words, making the entire composition one of the best Sufi songs ever produced

The original track was released in 1996 on the Sangam album. The popularity of the song reached new heights when Khan’s own nephew, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, sang the song alongside Momina Mustehsan in the first season of Coke Studio Pakistan.

Khwaja Mere Khwaja

‘Khwaja Mere Khwaja’ from the movie Jodha Akbar is a sufi song in praise of the lord. The meaning of the Persian word ‘Khwaja’ is ‘master’ or ‘lord’. In the A.R. Rahman song, it is dedicated to the guide and their spiritual journey, which enlightens the path of life for their disciples.

Rahman has often credited the song for its spiritual influence in his own life and credited the song for its influence on his future success as well. The composition makes a room for itself in the list of best Sufi songs, given its popularity among the masses and spiritual significance in the composer’s life.

Duma Dum Mast Qalandar

Sufism has been kept alive in the lives of people through the arts, and the song Duma Dum Mast Qalandar is one of the many songs which holds centuries of culture and history in its lyrics and music.

There is no definitive evidence of where the sufi song originated; however, according to the local beliefs, the song was written by Sufi saint and poet Amir Khusro in honour of one of the most revered Sufi saints of Sindh, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

That’s not all; if one were to believe the fishwives’ tales, later in the 18th century, another famous Sufi saint, Buleh Shah, made some changes to the qawwali. Years, decades, and centuries passed, but the qawwali remained popular among the masses and saw different adaptations over such a large span of time. In 1956 Ashiq Hussain took the folk-Sufi song and presented a Dhamaal version of it to the masses.

It is one of the best Sufi songs known to mankind, as the popularity of the song was not limited to the Indian subcontinent but reached as far as Iran. The list of singers honouring the legacy of the song is long, which includes legendary names like Abida Parveen, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Rekha Bharadwaj, Runa Leila, and more.

Chap Tilak Sab

Amir Khusro was one of the most revered figures of the Sufi movement. The 13th-century poet’s words have become immortalised, and the list of best Sufi songs will be incomplete without Tuti-e-Hind’s most famous Kalaam, Chap Tilak.

The song is a testament to Khusro’s love and devotion towards his mentor, Nizamuddin Auliya. Khusro’s writing of the song speaks volumes about his genius and why he is celebrated as the father of qawwalis.

Unlike other Sufi songs, which were mainly written in Persian, Khusro chose Vraj Bhasha, a language that originated in Mathura, India. Khusro’s deep devotion towards Nizamuddin Auliya is still celebrated by millions, including many maestros from the world of music, like Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Abida Parveen, and Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. The mystical yet simple nature of the song makes it one of the best Sufi songs ever written.

Piya Haji Ali

Ending the list of the best Sufi songs with one of A.R. Rahman’s compositions, ‘Piya Haji Ali’. The original song created by Rahman is 14 minutes long; however, he edited the song when it was featured as a part of the soundtrack for the 2000 movie ‘Fiza’. The Sufi song is a result of the collaboration between A.R. Rahman and various musical maestros, including Shaukat Ali, Karajan Sargathia, and the Sabri brothers.

From the name, one can guess the song is a devotional appreciation for the Sufi saint Haji Ali. The picturisation of the Sufi song was shot at Haji Ali Dargah. We often hear the phrase “Music Transcends Boundaries,” and Sufi Music gives the phrase a whole new meaning, which is still used by millions across the world to date.

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FAQs

Who is the best Sufi singer in the world?

Sufi music has produced various legends over centuries, including Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Abida Parveen, and the Wadali Brothers, to name a few.

What is the difference between qawwali and Sufi music?

There is no difference between Qawwali and Sufi music. Sufi music is a genre, and qawwali is a popular form of Sufi music.

Which Bollywood movie has the best Sufi songs?

There are numerous Sufi songs that have been part of Bollywood over the years; Sufi songs from the movies Delhi 6, Rockstar, Jodha Akbar, and Fiza are still celebrated by the audience.

How did Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan influence Sufi music?

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan was known as the King of Kings of Qawwali; he was one of the pioneers who reintroduced Sufi music to the masses. He even experimented with the music, like blending Indian classical music with folk songs and qawwalis. Khan brought global attention to Sufi music and collaborated with many Western artists.

Which Sufi song is about love and peace?

One of the main topics explored in Sufi music is love and peace; a few examples are Piya Haji Ali, Duma Dum Mast Qalandar, and Arziyan.