“La ilaha illalla... Mohammed-ur-rasoolulla..” Amidst the resounding chant you hear ‘Al-Madad,’ Ya Ghousal Azam Dastagir...’ These words are part of a tradition spanning centuries. These words are said by Fakirs while piercing their bodies with sharp metal pieces or weapons in an astonishing manner.

Sharp weapons pierce through different parts of the body including tongue, arms, cheeks, throat and even the head. However, not a single drop of blood is shed. The Fakirs credit their saints’ greatness for their feats.

Sufism is a rebel offshoot of Islam, that protested rigid practices. Here, there is no distinction of faith, religion, or sex. The Almighty is worshipped fervently; the faith believes in worshipping Him without any expectation.

According to Sufi philosophy, a devotee should love the Almighty as though He was a lover. A Sufi saint spends his time searching for his lover (God), yearns to have a glimpse; he will not be aware of hunger, thirst, attire etc. In the midst of this search, if the saint dies, then it is known as Sama, where the lovers are united.

Part of this unique faith is piercing the body, which is nothing but a manifestation of extreme and fervent worship of their Peer (Guru).

The Fakirs have a special place in the cultural landscape. Also known as dervishes, these Fakirs have to beg for their livelihood. Only those who beg food are considered to be Fakirs. Shedding thought about the body, about the future and concentrating on providing food barely enough to live is the motive behind this vocation of the Fakirs.

However, the piercing of parts of the body is seen during urs of dargahs or the sandalwood procession. The Fakirs perform the sandalwood pooja to the tombs of Sufi saints in all the dargahs of the world. Then they proceed to pierce their bodies.

Before commencing, all the implements and metal pieces are placed before their (Guru) in a bamboo reed. Later, the tempo of the dera (a small drum in the hands of the Fakirs) gradually increases. Everyone begins to hail ‘Ya Ghous’ ( Hazrat Mehboobe Subhani, the foremost proponent of Sufism; his tomb is in Baghdad) and ‘Al Madad’ (O Lord, Help Us).

When the tempo reaches the crescendo, the Guru gives the implements and pieces to a follower. Those who are about to be pierced are already naked. Amidst the chanting and drum beats, the sharp weapons are pierced into the various parts of the Fakirs’ bodies. These pieces remain in the body for a long time and are removed later following the Guru’s orders.

This practice has a tradition of several centuries and is likely to continue further.