Qawwali  

Introduction

Qawwāli is the traditional form of Islamic song found in India and Pakistan.  The word qawwāli is derived from the Arabic word Qaol which means "axiom" or "dictum". 

A Qawwāl is one who sings qawwali, or the dictums of the prophets and praises of God.  The Qawwāli is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of northern India and Pakistan.

 Spritual Aspects of Qawwali

The qawwāli is inextricably linked to the Sufi tradition; Sufism is a mystical school of Islamic thought which strives to attain truth and divine love by direct personal experience.  In Arabic, this mysticism is known as tasawwuf.  The difference between Sufism and mainstream Islam is simple.  All Muslims believe that man is on a path to God (tariqah).  However where the mainstream Muslim believes that it is only possible to reach God after death at the final judgement, the Sufi believes that it is possible to reach God during ones life.  To this end there are a number of different techniques and methods.  

The Koran instructs man to remember God.  This remembrance, known as dhikr, may be either silent of vocal.  The qawwāli may be viewed as an extension of the vocal form of this remembrance.  The use of music as a spiritual force was discussed in great length by al-Gazali(1085-1111).