ABSTRACT
Musa bin Mujalla, a Sufi, was said to have recorded as many as forty traditions of the Prophet on the authority of Baba Rattan. However, the role of Baba Rattan as a purveyor of the Prophetic traditions was challenged by Shamsuddin Zahbi, who even wrote a booklet in support of his contentions. Hujwiri felt deeply anguished at the general ignorance and flawed knowledge of Sufism. In fact, the discipline of Sufism had become obsolete, particularly in the Indian subcontinent. The role of poverty in the pursuit of spirituality was often discussed in Sufi circles. Both the Quran and Prophetic traditions accorded unconditional approval to poverty. Made of coarse wool and repaired with patches, the garment conformed to the Sufic principles of detachment, poverty and humility. The torn garment was bestowed on the singer or its pieces were distributed among the listeners who affixed these on their patched frocks as a blessing.
