ملتان کی روحانی تہذیب کی تشکیل میں شیخ بہاءالدین زکریا کے سلسلہ سہروردیہ اور مخدوم عبدالرشید حقانی کے سلسلہ قادریہ کاکردار: خانقاہ غوثیہ اور خانقاہ مخدوم کا تحقیقی تقابل

The Role of the Suhrawardiyya Order of Bahauddin Zakariya and the Qadiriyya Order of Makhdoom Haqqni in the Formation of the Spiritual Culture of Multan: A Research-Based Comparative Study of Khanqah Ghousia and Khanqah Makhdoom

Abstract

Multan has historically remained one of the most significant centers of Islamic spirituality, Sufism, and intellectual culture in South Asia. Renowned as the “City of Saints,” the region developed a distinctive spiritual and cultural identity under the influence of various Sufi orders whose khanqahi institutions played a vital role in religious instruction, moral refinement, social reform, and spiritual training. Among these orders, the Suhrawardi and Qadiri silsilahs occupy a central position in shaping the spiritual ethos of Multan through their enduring scholarly and mystical contributions.

This research article examines the role of Shaykh Bahauddin Zakariya and the Suhrawardi order in the formation of Multan’s spiritual civilization, alongside the contributions of Makhdoom Abdul Rasheed Haqqani and the Qadiri order in the promotion of spiritual consciousness and moral reconstruction. The study comparatively analyzes the institutional structures, spiritual methodologies, educational patterns, and socio-religious services of Khanqah Makhdoom and Khanqah Ghausia, highlighting their influence on the religious and cultural fabric of the region.

Employing a historical and analytical research methodology, this study explores how both khanqahi systems contributed to the dissemination of spiritual sciences, ethical values, and Islamic teachings while simultaneously addressing the social and intellectual needs of society. The article further investigates the similarities and distinctions between the Suhrawardi and Qadiri traditions in terms of spiritual discipline, modes of guidance, institutional organization, and public engagement.

The research concludes that the khanqahi traditions of the Suhrawardi and Qadiri orders were not merely spiritual centers but comprehensive institutions of intellectual, ethical, and cultural transformation. Their contributions significantly shaped the spiritual identity of Multan and established a lasting legacy of Sufi scholarship, tolerance, and social harmony in the region. Consequently, the comparative study of Khanqah Makhdoom and Khanqah Ghausia provides a deeper understanding of the role of Sufi institutions in the construction of South Asian Muslim spiritual civilization.