SPIRITUAL MUSIC

Afghanistan has been a key hub of Islamic thought for centuries, with cities like Herat and Balkh being important centers of Islamic knowledge and culture. The founder of the Chishti order of Sufism, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, was from a village just outside of Herat, and Chishti Sufism has had a longstanding influence on Islamic practice and culture in Afghanistan, in particular with regards to music. Sufism is a mystical branch of Islam that embraces a oneness with God, which they achieve through attaining spiritual ecstasy, known as vajd. Popular forms of expression in Sufism include different forms of poetry, chanting (which can sometime be set to music accompaniment), and whirling dervishes. 

Several types of spiritual and devotional music are played in Afghanistan that bear influences from Chishti Sufism. Spiritual music is often played in accordance to the Islamic calendar, meaning that certain songs and chants are only done during specific times of the year, such as during Ramadan or Muharram. As well, music is typically performed in a khanaqah, a congregation house for worship and rituals, during a sama, "audition" or spiritual program. During these programs, religious songs are sung to the accompaniment of music that is played by the harmonium, rubab, tabla, tanbur, stone clappers known as qairaq, and jingles known as chimta.

Na'at is a form of chant that originally was chanted without music, but has been adapted to have musical accompaniment. Na'at are spiritual poems that praise the prophet Mohammad. In Kabul, na'at are performed commonly in Chishti khanaqahs, where professional and amateur musicians alike sing. Additionally, ghazals with spiritual themes and overtones are performed in these khanaqahs by musicians from the kharabat. Zikr, also spelled Dhikr, is another form of chanting that involves the collective recitation of names of God. Chanting zikr is a very rhythmic exercise that requires a sense of breath control on the part of the participant. It can also include the playing of the daireh, a frame drum, to coordinate the rhythm of the chanting. While zikr may have elements of music such as rhythm and melody, it is important to note that zikr is not considered "music." Rather, it is form of religious devotion performed by Sufis.