Sufi, the word originates from an Arabic word, which means pure.
Sufi music is a sort of devotional music performed by Sufis to realize a divine reference to God and strengthen their bonds.
Sufi love songs are represented as Ghazals and Kafi, collectively called, Sufism.
Sufis, in contrast, place music at the heart of the Sama, a ceremony of spiritual song and singing. The purpose of the Sama is to make the conditions during which the human soul can experience divine love.
Transcendental and ecstatic, the music produces in the listener an intense devotion for God.
Soulful and dulcet Sufi numbers have enriched our cultural heritage for ages. One of the simplest brands in music today,
Sufi music is subtle to the ears and has the right capacity to possess us hooked.
If you are looking for the best Sufi songs, which purifies your soul with spiritual ecstasy, here I have prepared a list of the best Bollywood Sufi songs which will awaken a spiritual side of you.
1. KUN FAYA KUN - ROCKSTAR
This beautiful Sufi song is from the movie rockstar, sung by Mohit Chauhan, Javed Ali, and AR Rahman, whereas the lyrics are by Irshaad Kamil.
Kun Faya Kun's meaning, the origin is from the Arabic words, 'Kun' which means 'to be' or 'to exist, and 'Faya Kun' means ‘it is'.
So, the translation of Kun Faya Kun is Be, And It Is, simply means, accepts the way things or situations are.
2. ARZIYAN - DELHI 6
They say good songs have no expiry date and, one such track is this Sufi song, Arziyan.
Arziyan is a song from Delhi 6 and was composed by AR Rahaman. It is one of the fantastic songs which heals if you are stressed or depressed.
This song gives a feeling of divinity. The power of the lyrics is such that you start shedding tears unknowingly.
3. SHUKRAN ALLAH - KURBAAN
Shukran Allah, is sung by Sonu Nigam, Shreya, and Salim Merchant in the movie Kurbaan.
When you have two musical stalwarts like Shreya Ghoshal and Sonu Nigam teaming up for a duet, it's sure to be successful.
From the coy romance to the delectable Sufi flavor, 'Shukran Allah' was eminent. It is no doubt one of the best romantic Sufi songs.
4. EK DIL EK JAAN - PADMAVAT
This song is a masterpiece from the movie Padmavat.
This beautiful classical number is full of tablas and other instruments that set the proper tone.
Shivam Pathak's voice adds more flavor to the song. Overall, lyricist who flawlessly weaved the words and crafted a masterpiece.
5. BULLEYA - SULTAN
Bulleya, a song from the movie Sultan, sung by Papon, has one of the best lyrics, and soothing music with the soulful song.
This song touches the souls of all true lovers. Try this song as it gives a heavenly feeling.
"Maana apna ishq adhura, Dil na ispe sharminda hai,
Poora hoke khatam hua sab, Jo hai aadha wo hi zinda ha"
6. MERA YAAR - BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG
Mera yaar is a romantic Sufi song from the movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and is sung by Javed Bashir.
In this classic song, every lyric relates to God and, the track starts with vibrant beats and then moves into the Sufi zone.
7. ALLAH WAARIYAN - YAARIYAN
"Apne roothein, paraaye roothein, Yaar roothe naa;
Khwaab tootein, waade tootein, Dil ye toote naa;"
This song makes us emotional and reminds us of our best friends.
Shafqat Amanat Ali sang it beautifully for the movie Yaariyan and gave justice to every word of the song.
Allah Waariyan is one of the best songs to play when you are depressed and want to recollect the past days.
8. MAULA - JISM 2
Maula is a song from the movie, Jism 2. This song makes us very emotional and gives us goosebumps every time we listen to it.
This song's lyrics are brilliant and, every word has so deep meaning, that it gives a Godly feeling.
Ali Azmat's unique voice did justice to the song. The music is stunning as well.
9. HOOR - HINDI MEDIUM
This wonderful Sufi song is from Irfan Khan's and Saba Qamar's movie, Hindi Medium sung by Atif Aslam.
The mirthful background music, including Atif Aslam's voice, is what causes you to keep eager to hear it again and again.
10. SAINYA VE - JAIL
If you want to listen to some rocking and beautiful Sufi song, then you try this song.
Sainya Ve is from the movie jail. Toshi Sabri is another generous Sufi singer, which makes it unique.
11. LAAL ISHQ - GOLIYON KI RAASLEELA RAM-LEELA
One of the foremost awaited beautiful, heart-touching songs, "Laal Ishq" from Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, is a treat for ears with a soothing feel,
Laal Ishq is for the ones in love. This song takes us into the semi-classical model with Arijit Singh. Possibly this is often the simple song I ever heard that blows you off.
Arijit Singh is making it a habit to urge the simple tunes.
12. SUN LE RE - MADRAS CAFE
This song is from the movie Madras Cafe. It is one of the best soulful songs I have ever heard, and the lyrics, music, and baritone voice of Papon, make it so deep and mesmerizing.
"Mera Kaun hai tere Siva, Maula Tu hi toh hai bas Mera" means when you realize no one is permanent in your life other than just the one thing, that God is always with you.
13. AFREEN
Afreen is one of the Sufi songs sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Momina Mustehsan, and lyrics by Javed Akhtar.
This song gives you peace of mind whenever you feel sad and rejected. Just plug in your earphones, close your eyes, and listen to this masterpiece.
This song will take you back to the happy days once you accidentally discovered this beautiful pearl in an ocean of mediocrity.
14. ALLAH KE BANDE
Allah Ke Bande means People of God.
This song makes exceptional with Kailash Kher's euphonious voice, meaningful lyrics with classical music.
Allah Ke Band is such a masterpiece that it gives them hope and strength to fight back the problems.
We can categorize it as a type of motivational song.
“Kho ke apne parr hi to, tha udna usne seekha!”
15. TERI DIWANI
Teri Diwani is another dulcet Sufi song from Kailash Kher and was released in the year 2009.
'eri Deewani is a love song mixing themes of love and devotion. This soulful gives a feeling of peace and a soothing effect to your ears.
“Tune kya kar dala, marr gayi mai, mitt gayi mai”
16. PIYA MILENGA - RAANJHANAA
Piya Milenge from Raanjhanaa is a spiritual ballet by Irshad Kamil that flows kind of a river, with rhythm clutching the word-play and meanings playing hide and seek.
The song is about looking for a beloved which is seen as futile as love can only reside altogether in things immaterial. Through tricky phrase rhythms set to music maestro A R Rahman’s music.
At a deeper level, Piya Milenge is a sort of meta-song that speaks to itself.
17. SANU EK PAL CHAIN NA AAWE
Sanu Ek Pal Chain Na Aawe will be the iconic song by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from the album Essential Sufi meditations, released in 2014.
This song was released in various languages like Punjabi and seen in the movie RAID as well.
18. TERE BINA - GURU
Tere Bina is arguably AR Rahman's mellow offering in Guru and, Gulzar Saab's lyrics are limited but beautiful nonetheless.
Legend A R Rahman again impresses tremendously with his vocal prowess and, the mesmerizing classical music was the perfect combination.
19. SAJDA - MY NAME IS KHAN
Sajda from My Name Is Khan is a beautiful song crammed with emotions of happiness and love.
When you mention Sufi numbers, the primary name that strikes the mind is Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
And who better than him to lend voice to a pleasant and splendid song like this one!
20. IKTARA - WAKE UP SID
Iktara is a song from the movie wake up sid with soulful lyrics.
The award-winning Sufi singer Kavita Seth has perfect vocals for this song.
She felt Bollywood has opened up a new avenue for her to popularise her style of Sufi singing.
“Sunn rahi ho sudbudh khoke, koi main kahani, poori kahani hai kya kisi hai pata!”
21. MERE RASHKE QAMAR - BAADSHAHO
Mere Rashke Qamar was recreated for the movie Baadshaho.
Originally it was ghazal-qawwali written by Urdu poet Fana Buland Shehri.
The vocals for this song are Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan with the mesmerizing voice in the background and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, whose combination was perfect.
22. AAS PAAS HAI KHUDA - ANJAANA ANJAANI
'Teri Kismat Tu Badal De, Rakh Himmat Bus Chal De' means to change your luck, keep the courage and, go on.
Aas Paas Khuda is a song sung by iconic singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.
These meaningful lyrics tell us so much that you can take this song as a motivational song.
23. ZINDAGI KUCH TOH BATA(REPRISE) - BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN
This song is one of the simplest creations by Jubin Nautiyal. It has the magical touch of classic melodies.
The lyrics are so heart-touching then very pure. The vocals by Jubin Nautiyal and Pritam are also praise-worthy.
The soft and pleasant music fetches you into a peaceful and enchanted environment.
24 . YEH JO HALKA HALKA SUROOR HAI
Yeh Jo Halka Halka Suroor Hai, is a legendary song sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, but initially, the vocal was given by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan has taken a crack at recreating his famous uncle's song again, Halka Halka, released in 2016.
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan manages to form the track differently from the first but still making it more pleasing to the ears.
25 . PIYA HAJI ALI - FIZA
Piya Haji Ali is a Sufi song composed for the movie from Fiza.
This masterpiece track has been sung by AR Rahaman, who himself was a devotee and cherishes Sufi music.
This song was composed in Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai, where we can see the sea, giving the illusion of a floating mosque.
“Tum smandar ke Wali, Baba Haji Ali”
26. O RANGREZ - BHAAG MILKHA BHAAG
O Rangrez is a semi-classical love song with spiritual essence attached to its music.
Javed Bashir and Shreya Ghoshal gave vocals for this song, and the music was composed by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy.
This song is a very classy and heart-touching song and, surely it can cure up any wound of your heart.
27. KHWAJA MERE KHWAJA - JODHAA AKBAR
Khwaja Mere Khwaja a song that was more Sufi than most others, with its reverence for the upper powers and a wish to assimilate oneself with them.
AR Rahman's other original soundtrack that won accolades and awards was the 2008 period romance, Jodhaa Akbar.
This Sufi number was sensational at that time and is now as well.
28. MAULA MERA MAULA - ANWAR
This romantic song twisted with Sufi elements comes from the movie Anwar, released in 2007.
Roop Kumar Rathod gave vocal to this masterpiece song, lyrics were set by Sayeed Quadri, and the music was by Mithoon.
Whenever you listen to this song, you can experience a soothing feel which takes time to absorb one in, but as it does, the essence is irrefutable.
29. DAMA DAM MAST QALANDAR
Dama Dam Mast Qalandar is one of those songs which will bring goosebumps whenever you listen.
This poem was initially written by the 13th-century Sufi poet Amir Khusrow.
Then it was modified in honor of the most revered Sufi saint of Sindh, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar of Sehwan Sharif.
You can listen to the track of the Nooran Sisters – Jyoti Nooran and Sultana Nooran, a Sufi singing duo from Jalandhar, India.
30. TU JANA NA - AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI
Tu Jaane Na is a masterpiece from the movie Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani.
This song is one of the best creations by Atif Aslam and, it has the magical touch of the old classic melodies.
The lyrics are so heart-touching and so very pure, which makes you emotional sometimes.
“Milke bhi, Ham naa mile, Tumse na jaane kyu!”
So, these are some Sufi songs that can help you connect with divine love.
Lyrics of Sufi music have changed in Bollywood, replacing the spiritual love of divinity with romantic love at the center of the songs but, it has given film music a sweeter note.
I always get goosebumps while listening to these classical tracks. Hope you liked them.
Do like and share it with your playlist partners. Happy listening.
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