Sacred journeys, worship and reverence

At present, some South Asian Muslims oppose the legitimacy of the pious visit to a Sufi saint's grave (ziyārat), although many studies testify that it is common practice, and a significant element of the Muslim culture of the Subcontinent. ¹ On the one hand, numerous Muslim scholars and activists that embraced reformist types of Islam criticize the ziyārat as a reprehensible religious innovation (bid‘at) and an obstacle to the social reform of Muslim society. ² On the other hand, Sufis continue to uphold the legitimacy of the beliefs and practices related to the ziyārat through ritual performances, and occasionally through speeches and writings.