محکمہ اوقاف کے زیرِ تحویل خانقاہوں کے نظم و انصرام کی نسبت، نجی خانقاہ صوفی محمد برکت علی لدھیانوی رحمہ اللہ کے اصلاحی و روحانی اقدامات کا تقابلی مطالعہ

A Comparative Study of the Administrative Systems of Government-Auqaaf Controlled Khanqahs and the Reformative and Spiritual Initiatives of the Private Khanqah of Ṣūfī Muḥammad Barkat ʿAlī Ludhiyānwī (R.A.)

Abstract

This research explores the contrast between state-administered Sufi khanqahs, managed by the Department of Auqaaf, and the privately managed khanqah established by Ṣūfī Muḥammad Barkat ʿAlī Ludhiyānwī (R.A.) near Faisalabad, Pakistan. The study focuses on the unique reformative, educational, and spiritual initiatives introduced by Ṣūfī Barkat ʿAlī, which include regular dhikr gatherings, educational programs, social welfare projects, and an environment dedicated to spiritual discipline and service. Unlike the standardized and often bureaucratic management under Auqaaf, his khanqah maintained a dynamic connection with the local community and followers, allowing adaptive practices rooted in living Sufi traditions. The paper examines how the private model preserved authentic spiritual practices, personal mentorship, and local engagement, creating a vibrant center of Islamic learning and moral reform. In contrast, state-controlled khanqahs, while ensuring financial accountability and structural maintenance, sometimes struggle to keep alive the intimate spiritual relationship between the murshid (spiritual guide) and murīd (disciple). The research argues that integrating accountability with flexibility, and spirituality with administration, is essential for the continued relevance of Sufi institutions in contemporary society. Through this comparative study, the paper seeks to highlight the strengths and challenges of both models and suggest practical ways to harmonize administrative efficiency with the preservation of Sufi ethos.