The sama was often a spiritual concert, which included a vocalist, and instrumentalists. The use of music as a spiritual force was discussed in great length by al-Gazali (1085-1111).īy the end of the 11th century, there arose the tradition of the sama. The qawwali may be viewed as an extension of the vocal form of this remembrance. This remembrance, known as dhikr, may be either silent of vocal. The Koran instructs man to remember God. To this end there are a number of different techniques and methods. 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. All Muslims believe that man is on a path to God (tariqah). The difference between Sufism and mainstream Islam is simple. In Arabic, this mysticism is known as tasawwuf. The qawwali 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. The Qawwali is closely linked to the spiritual and artistic life of northern India and Pakistan. A Qawwal is one who sings qawwali, or the dictums of the prophets and praises of God. The word qawwali is derived from the Arabic word Qaol which means “axiom” or “dictum”. Qawwali is the traditional form of Islamic song found in India and Pakistan.