Welcome to Barelwis.Com! Barelwism is a folk-religion which appeals to the largely uneducated masses and is centered around devotion to saints with the goal of soliciting aid and rescue and intercession. The Shariah has clearly outlined the correct status and rank for the Prophets, the Righteous Friends of Allaah (awliyaa) and has given Muslims the moderate and balanced path regarding how to maintain respect for the Prophets and the Awliyaa without opposing the Shariah. However, the ghuluww (exaggeration) in Barelwism fosters a superstitious, mystical, cult-like following where salvation is sought through veneration of saints while the self-appointed patrons of the tombs and mausoleums laugh all the way to the bank, selling salvation to masses of simpletons for whom authentic religious observance may be too burdensome and in conflict with cultural norm. India had a tradition of Sufism for many long centuries which blended with Hindu culture (Hindus are known for ancestor worship) and many of the practices and rituals found with Barelwis are of Hindu origin yet are clothed in Islamic garb. The picture is of a Sufi shrine at Ajmer in India. Barelwi-types and Hindus congregate here and offer devotion, worship and solicit intercession and benefit from its inhabitant, Moinuddin Chisti.
