The Sufis – UGC NET History – Practice Questions

1. The term ‘Sufi’ is derived from the Arabic word ‘suf’, meaning:
A. Purity
B. Wool
C. Devotion
D. Asceticism
Correct Option: B

2. Sufism is best understood as:
A. A political ideology of Islam
B. A legal school of Islam
C. A mystical and spiritual dimension of Islam
D. A sect opposed to Quranic teachings
Correct Option: C

3. Which among the following concepts is central to Sufi philosophy?
A. Jizya
B. Khalisa
C. Mansabdari
D. Fana
Correct Option: D

4. The idea of ‘Ishq’ in Sufism refers to:
A. Divine love
B. Repentance
C. Spiritual poverty
D. Religious law
Correct Option: A

5. Which term in Sufism refers to ‘self-annihilation’?
A. Zikr
B. Fana
C. Sama
D. Qurbat
Correct Option: B

6. Which among the following terms denotes ‘divine proximity’?
A. Hulul
B. Qurbat
C. Ruh
D. Fakr
Correct Option: B

7. The Sufis believed that service to humanity was equivalent to:
A. Service to the Sultan
B. Service to God
C. Service to Khanqah
D. Service to Murshid
Correct Option: B

8. Which among the following was stressed more by Sufis than orthodox Muslims?
A. External conduct
B. Political authority
C. Inner purity
D. Military expansion
Correct Option: C

9. Islam entered India through Arab merchants primarily in the:
A. 5th century CE
B. 6th century CE
C. 7th century CE
D. 9th century CE
Correct Option: C

10. Muhammad Bin Qasim conquered Sind and Multan in the:
A. 6th century CE
B. 7th century CE
C. 8th century CE
D. 10th century CE
Correct Option: C

11. Which among the following was one of the earliest known Sufis?
A. Nizamuddin Auliya
B. Rabia al-Adawiya
C. Muinuddin Chishti
D. Ahmad Sirhindi
Correct Option: B

12. Sufism evolved into a well-developed movement in India by the end of the:
A. 8th century
B. 9th century
C. 10th century
D. 11th century
Correct Option: D

13. Al-Hujwiri, regarded as one of the oldest Sufis in the subcontinent, is buried in:
A. Delhi
B. Ajmer
C. Lahore
D. Multan
Correct Option: C

14. The Sufi orders came to be known as:
A. Iqtas
B. Khanqahs
C. Silsilahs
D. Madrasas
Correct Option: C

15. Which of the following represented an unbreakable chain between Pir and disciples?
A. Tariqa
B. Silsilah
C. Ziyarat
D. Wilaya
Correct Option: B

16. Which among the following was NOT among the four major Silsilahs?
A. Chisti
B. Suhrawardi
C. Qadri
D. Firdausi
Correct Option: D

17. The hospice of Sufi saints was called:
A. Dargah
B. Khanqah
C. Madrasa
D. Jamaat
Correct Option: B

18. The tomb or shrine of a Sufi saint is known as:
A. Sama
B. Murid
C. Dargah
D. Khalifa
Correct Option: C

19. The process through which disciples passed different spiritual stages was known as:
A. Maqamat
B. Ikhlas
C. Hal
D. Tauba
Correct Option: A

20. Qawwali developed mainly in connection with:
A. Military camps
B. Royal courts only
C. Musical congregations of Sufis
D. Temple rituals
Correct Option: C

21. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
D. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: A

22. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
B. A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3
C. A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1
D. A-4, B-3, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: A

23. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
B. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
C. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
D. A-4, B-3, C-2, D-1
Correct Option: A

24. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer.
A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
B. A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
C. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
D. A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
Correct Option: A

25. Assertion (A): Sufism emphasised inner purity over outward conduct.
Reason (R): Orthodox Islam focused mainly on external conduct.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false but (R) is true.
Correct Option: A

26. Assertion (A): Sufi saints completely rejected prayers and fasting.
Reason (R): Sufis stressed meditation, repentance, fasting, and prayers.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is false but (R) is true.
D. (A) is false and (R) is false.
Correct Option: C

27. Assertion (A): Sufism represented the inward mystical dimension of Islam.
Reason (R): Sufism stressed spiritual communion with God through asceticism.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false but (R) is true.
Correct Option: A

28. Assertion (A): Qawwali developed in relation to Sufi sama gatherings.
Reason (R): Sufi khanqahs encouraged devotional musical traditions.

A. Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
B. Both (A) and (R) are true but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
C. (A) is true but (R) is false.
D. (A) is false but (R) is true.
Correct Option: A

29. The concept of ‘Mashuq’ in Sufi philosophy refers to:
A. Lover
B. Disciple
C. God as Beloved
D. Spiritual poverty
Correct Option: C

30. In Sufi understanding, the Sufis are considered:
A. Khalifas
B. Ashiqs (Lovers)
C. Ulema
D. Mujahids
Correct Option: B

31. The term ‘Faqir’ in Sufi tradition refers to:
A. Sultan
B. Muslim saint/ascetic
C. Warrior
D. Tax collector
Correct Option: B

32. Which among the following is associated with remembrance of God in Sufism?
A. Zikr
B. Fakr
C. Riza
D. Hal
Correct Option: A

33. ‘Tauba’ in Sufism refers to:
A. Spiritual poverty
B. Pilgrimage
C. Repentance for sins
D. Fear of God
Correct Option: C