Chilla (Persian: چله, Arabic: أربعين, both literally "forty"), also known as Chilla-nashini, is a spiritual practice of penance and solitude in Sufism known mostly in Pakistani (Punjabi)[1] and Persian traditions. In this ritual a mendicant or ascetic attempts to remain seated in a circle practicing meditation techniques without food for 40 days and nights in imitation of the Arba'een.[2][3]
Etymology
The word chilla is derived from the Persian word chehel "forty".[4]
Chilla-khana
Chilla is commonly performed in a solitary cell called a chilla-khana.[5] The place itself is sometimes called Chilla where chilla has been performed.[5]
Incidents of Chilla
The most famous case of chilla is found in the biographies of the 14th century Sufi poet Hafez of Shiraz.[6][7][8]
In music
A practice similar to chilla is also performed by Hindustani classical music practitioners at an advanced level. It is called chilla katna.
See also
References
- ↑ Saeed, Bareera; Batool, Syeda Shahida (2021-06-07). "Experiences and Practices of Contemporary Sufis in Pakistan". NUST Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. 7 (1): 99–119. doi:10.51732/njssh.v7i1.69. ISSN 2523-0026.
- ↑ Landolt & Lawson 2005, p. 203.
- ↑ Dehlvi 2012, p. 109.
- ↑ "The Path of Khalwati and Shabani". Archived from the original on 2005-01-11. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Ireland, Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and (1896). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain & Ireland. Cambridge University Press for the Royal Asiatic Society. p. 328.
- ↑ "Teachings of Hafiz". www.sacred-texts.com.
- ↑ "Biography of Hafiz". www.hafizonlove.com.
- ↑ "Persian Language & Literature: Hafez Shirazi". www.iranchamber.com.
Bibliography
- Dehlvi, Sadia (5 September 2012). Sufism: Heart of Islam. HarperCollins Publishers. ISBN 978-93-5029-448-2.
- Landolt, Hermann; Lawson, Todd (2005). Reason and Inspiration in Islam: Theology, Philosophy and Mysticism in Muslim Thought. I.B.Tauris. ISBN 978-1-85043-470-2.