Naqshbandiya:
The Naqshbandiya tariqah is named after Hadrat Shah Baha al-Din Naqshband Radi Allahu anhu [d.791H / 1389CE] and is a tariqah that is widely active throughout the world today. It is described as the 'Mother of all Tariqah's' by Shaykh Ahmad al-Faruqi al-Sirhindi [d.1034H / 1624CE]( Radi Allahu anhu). There are hundreds of Spiritual Order's which are all on the correct path but the Naqshbandiya, together with the Qadiriya, Chistiya and Suhrawardiya, are considered as the four main Silsila's of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'at.
The designation of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain has changed from century to century. From the time of Hadrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Hadrat Bayazid al-Bistami radi Allahu ta'ala anhu it was called as-Siddiqiyya. From the time of Bayazid al-Bistami [d.261H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Sayyadina Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani [d.575H] radi Allahu anhu it was called at-Tayfuriyya. From the time of Sayyadina 'Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Hadrat Shah Naqshband radi Allahu ta'ala anhu it was called the Khwajaganiyya.
From the time of Hadrat Shah Naqshband [d.791H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu through the time of Sayyadina Ubaidullah al-Ahrar radi Allahu ta'ala anhu and Sayyidina Ahmad Faruqi [d.1034H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu, it was called Naqshbandiyya. Naqshbandiyya means to "tie the Naqsh very well." The Naqsh is the perfect engraving of Allah's Name in the heart of the murid [disciple]. From the time of Sayyadina Ahmad al-Faruqi [d.1034H] radi Allahu anhu to the time of Shaykh Khalid al-Baghdadi [d.1242H] radi Allahu anhu it was called Naqshbandi-Mujaddidiyya. From the time of Sayyidina Khalid al-Baghdadi [d.1242H] radi Allahu anhu until the time of Sayyadina Shaykh Ismail Shirwani radi Allahu anhu it was called the Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya.
Qadiriyyah:
Qadiriyyah (also transliterated Kadri, Elkadry, Kadray, Qadiri or Qadri), is one of the oldest Sufi tariqas. It derives its name from Abdul-Qadir Gilani (radi Allah anhu) (also transliterated as "Jil lani" or "Jailani" and "Jilali" in the Maghreb) AH 470 (1077-1166), a native of the Iranian province of Gilan. In 1134 he was made principal of a Sunni Hanbalite school in Baghdad.
His contribution and renown in the sciences of Sufism and Sharia was so immense that he became known as the spiritual pole of his time, al-Gauth al Azam (the "Supreme Helper" or the "Mightiest Succor"). His writings were similar to those of al-Ghazali in that they dealt with both the fundamentals of Islam and the mystical experience of Sufism.
The Order is the most widespread of the Sufi Orders in the Islamic world and can be found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, the Balkans, China, as well as much of the East and West Africa, like Morocco.[citation needed]
There are even small groups in Europe and the Americas. The famous traveller and writer Isabelle Eberhardt also belonged to the Qadiri order.
Chishtiya:
The Chishti Order is a Sufi order within the mystic branches of Islam which was founded in Chisht, a small town near Herat, about 930 C.E. and continues to this day. The Chishti Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness.
The order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (radi Allah anhu) (“the Syrian”) who belonged to Syria introduced the ideas Sufism in the town of Chisht, some 95 miles east of Herat in present-day western Afghanistan. Before returning to Syria Hazrat Shami(radi Allah anhu) initiated, trained and deputized the son of the local Aamir, Abu Ahmad Abdal (radi Allah anhu) (d. 966). Under the leadership of Abu Ahmad’s (radi Allah anhu) descendants, the Chishtiya as they are also known, flourished as a regional mystical order.
The most famous of the Chishti saints is Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (radi Allah anhu) (popularly known as Gharib Nawaz meaning 'Benefactor of the Poor') who settled in Ajmer, India. He oversaw the growth of the order in the 13th century as Islamic religious laws were canonized. Other famous saints of the Chishti Order are Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (rehmatullah alaih) , Fariduddin Ganjshakar(rehmatullah alaih), Nizamuddin Auliya(rehmatullah alaih), Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari(rehmatullah alaih), Mohammed Badesha Qadri(rehmatullah alaih), and Ashraf Jahangir Semnani(rehmatullah alaih).
The silsila sabiriiya, Nizamiya and Ashrafiya is the branch of Chistiya Silsila.
Chishti master Hazrat Inayat Khan (rehmatullah alaih) (1882–1927) was the first to bring the Sufi path to the West, arriving in America in 1910 and later settling near Paris, France. His approach exemplified the tolerance and openness of the Chishti Order, following a custom began by Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (rehmatullah alaih) of initiating and training disciples regardless of religious affiliation and which continued through Nizamuddin Auliya (rehmatullah alaih) and Shaykh ul-Masha”ikh Kalimullah Jehanabadi (rehmatullah alaih) (d. 1720). All his teaching was given in English, and 12 volumes of his discourses on topics related to the spiritual path are still available from American, European, and Indian sources. Initiates of his form of Sufi practice now number in the several thousands all over the world.
A number of Chishti family members are now living in Pakpattan and Bahawal Nagar, North of Punjab, Pakistan.
Qalandariyah:
Qalandar is a title given to Sufi mystics,
The Qalandariyah, Qalandaris or "kalandars" are wanderering Sufi dervishes. The term covers a variety of sects, not centrally organized. One was founded by Qalandar Yusuf al-Andalusi of Andalusia, Spain.
Starting in the early 12th century, the movement gained popularity in Greater Khorasan and neighbouring regions. The first references are found in 11th century prose text Qalandarname (The Tale of the Kalandar) attributed to Ansari Harawi. The term Qalandariyyat (the Qalandar condition) appears to be first applied by Sanai Ghaznavi (d 1131) in seminal poetic works where diverse practices are described. Particular to the qalandar genre of poetry are terms that refer to gambling, games, intoxicants and Nazar ila'l-murd - themes commonly referred to as kufriyyat or kharabat.
The term remains in popular culture. Sufi qawwali singers the Sabri brothers and international Qawwali star Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan favoured the chant dam a dam masta qalandar (Oh go, go, crazy Qalandar!),
Some famous Sufis called Qalandar include Dada Hayat Qalandar, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalander and Bu Ali Shah Qalandar, Hazrat Zhul Al Nun Misri, Rabia Basri Qalandar.
Today, the term qalanders in South Asia often refers to roaming Muslim teachers who may be spiritually associated with the above mentioned saints.
Rifaiya:
The Founder of this silsila is Hazrath Syedna Ahmed Kabir Rifayee Razi Allahu Taala Anhu
His full name was Abdul Abbas Mohiuddin Syed Ahmed Kabir Rifayee (Razi Allahu Taala anhu). One of his forefather's name was 'Rifaah' and so he became very popular with the name of Rifayee. Having born as 15th descendant of Hazrath Syedna Imam Hussain Razi Allahu Taala anhu, he was called 'Hussaini'. He belonged to the 'Shaafayee' Maslak. Even before his birth itself Huzur Akram Sallallahu Alaih Wasallam prophesied about him to his maternal uncle Hazrath Baz'as'hab Mansoor Bataahi (R.A.). He asked him to name the boy Ahmed. He said that he would be the leader of saints (Auliya Allah) and advised him to send the boy to Shaik Ali Qadiri Wasthi (R.A.) for education and training.
The order has a marked presence in Syria and Egypt and plays a noticeable role in Kosovo and Albania. The Rifa'i Tariqa has a notable tendency to blend worship styles or ideas with those of other orders that predominate in the local area. For example, the group established by Ken'an Rifa'i in Istanbul reflects elements of the Mevlevi Order, while more rural Turkish Rifa'is have sometimes absorbed significant influence from the Alevi/Bektashi tradition.
The order spread into Anatolia during the 14th and 15th Centuries and ibn Battuta makes note of Rifa'i 'tekkes' in central Anatolia. The order however, began to make ground in Turkey during the 17th to 19th centuries when tekkes began to be found in Istanbul the imperial capital of the Ottoman Empire, from here the order spread into the Balkans (especially Bosnia (where they are still present), modern day Albania and Kosovo. During the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II the Rifa'i order gained even more popularity in Istanbul ranking alongside the Khalwati, Qadiri and Naqshbandi orders as 'orthodox' Sufi orders.
Current manifestations of the order in the United States include the tekkes (lodges) in Staten Island and Toronto that were under the guidance of the late Shaykh Xhemali Shehu (d.2004) of Prizren, Kosovo. Each of these orders is ultimately Turkish in origin.
Suhrawardiyya:
Suhrawardiyya is the name of a Sufi order founded by Iranian Sufi Diya al-din Abu 'n-Najib as-Suhrawardi (RA) (1097 – 1168).
He was a murid of Ahmad al-Ghazali(RA), who was a brother of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.c. 545 A.H. he was teaching Shafi'i fiqh at Al-Nizamiyya of Baghdad Academy. His surviving work is called Kitab Adab Al-Muridin.
Many Sufis from all over the Islamic world joined the order under the founder's nephew Hazrat Shihab ad-din Abu Hafs 'Umar(RA) (1145-1234), who was sent as emissary to the court of Khwarezm Shah in Bukhara by the Khalifa in Baghdad. His son is buried in Tashkent. Later the Order spread into India through Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari(RA) and Hazrat Baha-ud-din Zakariya(RA).
The principal role in the formation of a conservative ‘new piety’ and in the initiation of urban commercial and vocational groups into mysticism was played by the Suhrawardiyya silsila. Suhrawardiyya originated in Iraq but succeeded only in India to take shape as a fraternity with its infrastructure, internal hierarchy of members and cloisters and a single centre in Multan and Uchch. The Suhrawardiyya is a strictly Sunni order, guided by Shafi`i madhab. The Suhrawardiyya trace their spiritual genealogy to Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.)through Junayd Baghdadi and al-Ghazali(RDA).
Shaikh Shihab ad-din Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi(RA), took recourse to active life, renounced reclusion and excessive fasting, maintained close contacts with the authorities, and undertook diplomatic missions and political settlement of conflicts. His luxurious cloister in Baghdad, with gardens and bath houses, was specially built for him by Caliph an-Nasir, on whose behalf Abu Hafs travelled as an ambassador to the Ayyubid Sultan Malik al-Adil I of Egypt, to Khwarezm-Shah Muhammad of Bukhara and to Kaiqubad I, the Seljuk ruler of Konya.
Shaikh Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi(RDA), the author of “Awarif al-Ma’arif”, directed his disciples Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari & Shaikh Baha-ud-din Zakariya of Multan (1182-1262 AD) to make Multan the center of his activity. Iltutmish appointed him as "Shaikhul Islam" after the invasion of Multan and topple its ruler, Qabacha. During the Mongol invasion he became the peace negotiotor between invaders and muslim army.
Another Suharwardi, Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) buried at Konya, Turkey, received formal initiation into the Sufi way under Shaykh Baha'uddin Zakariya (RA), Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) lived in Multan for 25 years as one of the Suhrawardis, composing poetry. As Shaykh Baha'uddin(RA) was dying, he named Hazrat Fakhruddin 'Iraqi (RA ) to be his successor.
When it became known that Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) had been named head of the Suhrawardi Order, some in the order became jealous and denounced him to the Sultan who sought to have 'Iraqi arrested.
Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) fled the area with a few close companions, and they eventually made their way to Makkah and Medina. Later they moved north to Konya in Turkey. This was Konya at the time of Rumi. 'Iraqi often listened to Rumi teach and recite poetry, and later attended Rumi's funeral.
Although Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) was nominally the head (in exile) of a large and respected Sufi order, he humbly became the disciple of another Sufi master—Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA), who also lived in Konya at the time. Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) was the son-in-law of the recently deceased Sufi philosopher Shaikh Ibn 'Arabi(RA). Although less known in the West today Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) was perhaps the pre-eminent Sufi teacher in Konya at the time, even better known than his neighbor Rumi.
Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) was deeply devoted Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) and to the teachings of Ibn 'Arabi(RA). It was a series of speeches Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) delivered on the esoteric meaning of Ibn 'Arabi's great works that inspired Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) to compose his own masterpiece of commentary and poetry named the Lama'at or Divine Flashes.
When Fakhruddin 'Iraqi died he was buried near Ibn 'Arabi's (RA)tomb.
Baha-ud-din Zakariya’s(RA) successor then was his son Shaikh Sadruddin ‘Arif(RA). His disciple, Amir Husayn(RA)., the author of “Zad- al-Musafirin”, wrote several works on the doctrine Wahdat al-Wujud. Shaikh Arif’s(RA). son and caliph, Shaikh Ruknuddin (RA). was highly respected by the Delhi Sultans from ‘Alauddin Khilji to Muhammad Ibn Tughlaq.
After the death of Shaikh Ruknuddin(RA) the Suhrawardiyya silsila declined in Multan but became popular in other provinces like Uch, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir and even Delhi. Suharawardiyya order of Sufism became popular in Bengal (Contemporary Relevance of Sufism, 1993, published by Indian Council for Cultural relations).
It was popularised and revitalized by Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari(RA) known as Makhdum Jahaniyan, the world traveler. He was puritan and strongly objected the Hindu influences to Muslim social and religious practices.
Another contemporary mystic who is worthy of mention was Shaikh Sharfuddin Yahya Manairi (RA). (d. 1380 AD). He belonged to the Firdausia order, a branch of Suhrawardiyya. He compiled several books, i.e. “Fawaid al-Muridin”, “Irshadat al-Talibin”,”Rahat al-Qulub”, etc
Owaisiya:
Owaisiya is the name of a Sufi order founded by Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu)
Hazrat Owais Qarni(radi Allah anhu) was born in the village of "Qaran" in Yemen. River "showor" flowed through the city of Zubaida.
The family was so poor that there was no money to send him to Maktab or a teacher. The miracle here is that Hazrat Rasule Karim (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) became the spiritual guardian of this child and though they never met, Hazrat Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) guided him at all times - such was their bondage. This is the reason why Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) would often look toward Yemen, and say : "I am getting the beautiful fragrance Allah's blessings in the breeze. It is for Owais Qarni." Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) could never meet Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam), primarily because he used to take care of his sick mother. She would not allow him to go anywhere. After the battle of Uhud, when Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) came to know that the Prophet had lost a few teeth during the encounter, he broke all his teeth one by one till none was left - as he did not know exactly how many or which ones were lost by the prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). Such was the bondage of divine love between the two men, who never met each other. Once he went to Madina but failed to meet his most loved guardian. It is on record that on that day the Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) suddenly left home to say prayers in the mosque, leaving hurried instructions that a great saint was coming to visit him shortly and that it was predestined that they shall never meet in this world Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) knocked the Prophet's door minutes after the Prophet had left. When he was told that the Prophet had just left for a nearby mosque, he only smiled, cried for a while and then left. Years after the Prophet's demise, on repeated requests from Khalifa Hazrat Umar (radi Allah anhu), Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) visited Madina where his most admired lay buried. He asked Umar (radi Allah anhu) to come just outside the border of Madina to meet him. Umar (radi Allah anhu) did what the great saint had bid, but asked why he ordered him to meet him outside Madina? Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) said, "Omar, how can you walk so close over the soil under which lay buried the body of Muhammad (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) I cannot even set my foot on the city where he lies buried." Such was the depth of his love for the Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). At last, only after the passing away of his mother, he could pay respects to Rasullullah's (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) holy grave. Such was pre-ordained for the greatest lover of Allah and his Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). But it illustrated the pedestal of mothers. Serving them would take precedence over visiting even the Prophet(sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam).Hazrat Owais Qarni(radi Allah anhu) used to avoid meeting people who called on him, observing that the Day of Judgement was near and he could not afford to waste his time in earthly gossips.Qarni taught := He who recognises God as a friend makes friendship with no other creature= Consider the Quran like Khidr, thy guide, in the path and never forget death. Pray regularly and always.= Remember night is meant for worship not sleep.
The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam told on the day of judgment that Allah will create 70,000 angels same as Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhuand when Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhu will come there in between them and will proceed to the heaven, no one will recognize him except Allah, because in the world he used to worship away from the mankind and so he will be kept away from the mankind on the day of judgment.
In his last days he met Ali Ibn Taleb alayhis 'salam and participated in the war of Seffin and was martyred there. There is a group of people who consider themselves as Owaisia. For them there is no need of teacher and they do not have any source with them like Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhu, but they are on the right path of religion due to the Grace of Allah.
His Radi Allahu anhu grave is in a small village of Yemen, which is far away from capital Sana.
The Naqshbandiya tariqah is named after Hadrat Shah Baha al-Din Naqshband Radi Allahu anhu [d.791H / 1389CE] and is a tariqah that is widely active throughout the world today. It is described as the 'Mother of all Tariqah's' by Shaykh Ahmad al-Faruqi al-Sirhindi [d.1034H / 1624CE]( Radi Allahu anhu). There are hundreds of Spiritual Order's which are all on the correct path but the Naqshbandiya, together with the Qadiriya, Chistiya and Suhrawardiya, are considered as the four main Silsila's of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa'l Jama'at.
The designation of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain has changed from century to century. From the time of Hadrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Hadrat Bayazid al-Bistami radi Allahu ta'ala anhu it was called as-Siddiqiyya. From the time of Bayazid al-Bistami [d.261H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Sayyadina Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani [d.575H] radi Allahu anhu it was called at-Tayfuriyya. From the time of Sayyadina 'Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani radi Allahu ta'ala anhu to the time of Hadrat Shah Naqshband radi Allahu ta'ala anhu it was called the Khwajaganiyya.
From the time of Hadrat Shah Naqshband [d.791H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu through the time of Sayyadina Ubaidullah al-Ahrar radi Allahu ta'ala anhu and Sayyidina Ahmad Faruqi [d.1034H] radi Allahu ta'ala anhu, it was called Naqshbandiyya. Naqshbandiyya means to "tie the Naqsh very well." The Naqsh is the perfect engraving of Allah's Name in the heart of the murid [disciple]. From the time of Sayyadina Ahmad al-Faruqi [d.1034H] radi Allahu anhu to the time of Shaykh Khalid al-Baghdadi [d.1242H] radi Allahu anhu it was called Naqshbandi-Mujaddidiyya. From the time of Sayyidina Khalid al-Baghdadi [d.1242H] radi Allahu anhu until the time of Sayyadina Shaykh Ismail Shirwani radi Allahu anhu it was called the Naqshbandiyya-Khalidiyya.
Qadiriyyah:
Qadiriyyah (also transliterated Kadri, Elkadry, Kadray, Qadiri or Qadri), is one of the oldest Sufi tariqas. It derives its name from Abdul-Qadir Gilani (radi Allah anhu) (also transliterated as "Jil lani" or "Jailani" and "Jilali" in the Maghreb) AH 470 (1077-1166), a native of the Iranian province of Gilan. In 1134 he was made principal of a Sunni Hanbalite school in Baghdad.
His contribution and renown in the sciences of Sufism and Sharia was so immense that he became known as the spiritual pole of his time, al-Gauth al Azam (the "Supreme Helper" or the "Mightiest Succor"). His writings were similar to those of al-Ghazali in that they dealt with both the fundamentals of Islam and the mystical experience of Sufism.
The Order is the most widespread of the Sufi Orders in the Islamic world and can be found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, the Balkans, China, as well as much of the East and West Africa, like Morocco.[citation needed]
There are even small groups in Europe and the Americas. The famous traveller and writer Isabelle Eberhardt also belonged to the Qadiri order.
Chishtiya:
The Chishti Order is a Sufi order within the mystic branches of Islam which was founded in Chisht, a small town near Herat, about 930 C.E. and continues to this day. The Chishti Order is known for its emphasis on love, tolerance, and openness.
The order was founded by Abu Ishaq Shami (radi Allah anhu) (“the Syrian”) who belonged to Syria introduced the ideas Sufism in the town of Chisht, some 95 miles east of Herat in present-day western Afghanistan. Before returning to Syria Hazrat Shami(radi Allah anhu) initiated, trained and deputized the son of the local Aamir, Abu Ahmad Abdal (radi Allah anhu) (d. 966). Under the leadership of Abu Ahmad’s (radi Allah anhu) descendants, the Chishtiya as they are also known, flourished as a regional mystical order.
The most famous of the Chishti saints is Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (radi Allah anhu) (popularly known as Gharib Nawaz meaning 'Benefactor of the Poor') who settled in Ajmer, India. He oversaw the growth of the order in the 13th century as Islamic religious laws were canonized. Other famous saints of the Chishti Order are Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (rehmatullah alaih) , Fariduddin Ganjshakar(rehmatullah alaih), Nizamuddin Auliya(rehmatullah alaih), Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari(rehmatullah alaih), Mohammed Badesha Qadri(rehmatullah alaih), and Ashraf Jahangir Semnani(rehmatullah alaih).
The silsila sabiriiya, Nizamiya and Ashrafiya is the branch of Chistiya Silsila.
Chishti master Hazrat Inayat Khan (rehmatullah alaih) (1882–1927) was the first to bring the Sufi path to the West, arriving in America in 1910 and later settling near Paris, France. His approach exemplified the tolerance and openness of the Chishti Order, following a custom began by Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (rehmatullah alaih) of initiating and training disciples regardless of religious affiliation and which continued through Nizamuddin Auliya (rehmatullah alaih) and Shaykh ul-Masha”ikh Kalimullah Jehanabadi (rehmatullah alaih) (d. 1720). All his teaching was given in English, and 12 volumes of his discourses on topics related to the spiritual path are still available from American, European, and Indian sources. Initiates of his form of Sufi practice now number in the several thousands all over the world.
A number of Chishti family members are now living in Pakpattan and Bahawal Nagar, North of Punjab, Pakistan.
Qalandariyah:
Qalandar is a title given to Sufi mystics,
The Qalandariyah, Qalandaris or "kalandars" are wanderering Sufi dervishes. The term covers a variety of sects, not centrally organized. One was founded by Qalandar Yusuf al-Andalusi of Andalusia, Spain.
Starting in the early 12th century, the movement gained popularity in Greater Khorasan and neighbouring regions. The first references are found in 11th century prose text Qalandarname (The Tale of the Kalandar) attributed to Ansari Harawi. The term Qalandariyyat (the Qalandar condition) appears to be first applied by Sanai Ghaznavi (d 1131) in seminal poetic works where diverse practices are described. Particular to the qalandar genre of poetry are terms that refer to gambling, games, intoxicants and Nazar ila'l-murd - themes commonly referred to as kufriyyat or kharabat.
The term remains in popular culture. Sufi qawwali singers the Sabri brothers and international Qawwali star Nustrat Fateh Ali Khan favoured the chant dam a dam masta qalandar (Oh go, go, crazy Qalandar!),
Some famous Sufis called Qalandar include Dada Hayat Qalandar, Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalander and Bu Ali Shah Qalandar, Hazrat Zhul Al Nun Misri, Rabia Basri Qalandar.
Today, the term qalanders in South Asia often refers to roaming Muslim teachers who may be spiritually associated with the above mentioned saints.
Rifaiya:
The Founder of this silsila is Hazrath Syedna Ahmed Kabir Rifayee Razi Allahu Taala Anhu
His full name was Abdul Abbas Mohiuddin Syed Ahmed Kabir Rifayee (Razi Allahu Taala anhu). One of his forefather's name was 'Rifaah' and so he became very popular with the name of Rifayee. Having born as 15th descendant of Hazrath Syedna Imam Hussain Razi Allahu Taala anhu, he was called 'Hussaini'. He belonged to the 'Shaafayee' Maslak. Even before his birth itself Huzur Akram Sallallahu Alaih Wasallam prophesied about him to his maternal uncle Hazrath Baz'as'hab Mansoor Bataahi (R.A.). He asked him to name the boy Ahmed. He said that he would be the leader of saints (Auliya Allah) and advised him to send the boy to Shaik Ali Qadiri Wasthi (R.A.) for education and training.
The order has a marked presence in Syria and Egypt and plays a noticeable role in Kosovo and Albania. The Rifa'i Tariqa has a notable tendency to blend worship styles or ideas with those of other orders that predominate in the local area. For example, the group established by Ken'an Rifa'i in Istanbul reflects elements of the Mevlevi Order, while more rural Turkish Rifa'is have sometimes absorbed significant influence from the Alevi/Bektashi tradition.
The order spread into Anatolia during the 14th and 15th Centuries and ibn Battuta makes note of Rifa'i 'tekkes' in central Anatolia. The order however, began to make ground in Turkey during the 17th to 19th centuries when tekkes began to be found in Istanbul the imperial capital of the Ottoman Empire, from here the order spread into the Balkans (especially Bosnia (where they are still present), modern day Albania and Kosovo. During the reign of Sultan Abdul Hamid II the Rifa'i order gained even more popularity in Istanbul ranking alongside the Khalwati, Qadiri and Naqshbandi orders as 'orthodox' Sufi orders.
Current manifestations of the order in the United States include the tekkes (lodges) in Staten Island and Toronto that were under the guidance of the late Shaykh Xhemali Shehu (d.2004) of Prizren, Kosovo. Each of these orders is ultimately Turkish in origin.
Suhrawardiyya:
Suhrawardiyya is the name of a Sufi order founded by Iranian Sufi Diya al-din Abu 'n-Najib as-Suhrawardi (RA) (1097 – 1168).
He was a murid of Ahmad al-Ghazali(RA), who was a brother of Imam Abu Hamid al-Ghazali.c. 545 A.H. he was teaching Shafi'i fiqh at Al-Nizamiyya of Baghdad Academy. His surviving work is called Kitab Adab Al-Muridin.
Many Sufis from all over the Islamic world joined the order under the founder's nephew Hazrat Shihab ad-din Abu Hafs 'Umar(RA) (1145-1234), who was sent as emissary to the court of Khwarezm Shah in Bukhara by the Khalifa in Baghdad. His son is buried in Tashkent. Later the Order spread into India through Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari(RA) and Hazrat Baha-ud-din Zakariya(RA).
The principal role in the formation of a conservative ‘new piety’ and in the initiation of urban commercial and vocational groups into mysticism was played by the Suhrawardiyya silsila. Suhrawardiyya originated in Iraq but succeeded only in India to take shape as a fraternity with its infrastructure, internal hierarchy of members and cloisters and a single centre in Multan and Uchch. The Suhrawardiyya is a strictly Sunni order, guided by Shafi`i madhab. The Suhrawardiyya trace their spiritual genealogy to Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib (A.S.)through Junayd Baghdadi and al-Ghazali(RDA).
Shaikh Shihab ad-din Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi(RA), took recourse to active life, renounced reclusion and excessive fasting, maintained close contacts with the authorities, and undertook diplomatic missions and political settlement of conflicts. His luxurious cloister in Baghdad, with gardens and bath houses, was specially built for him by Caliph an-Nasir, on whose behalf Abu Hafs travelled as an ambassador to the Ayyubid Sultan Malik al-Adil I of Egypt, to Khwarezm-Shah Muhammad of Bukhara and to Kaiqubad I, the Seljuk ruler of Konya.
Shaikh Abu Hafs Umar al-Suhrawardi(RDA), the author of “Awarif al-Ma’arif”, directed his disciples Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari & Shaikh Baha-ud-din Zakariya of Multan (1182-1262 AD) to make Multan the center of his activity. Iltutmish appointed him as "Shaikhul Islam" after the invasion of Multan and topple its ruler, Qabacha. During the Mongol invasion he became the peace negotiotor between invaders and muslim army.
Another Suharwardi, Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) buried at Konya, Turkey, received formal initiation into the Sufi way under Shaykh Baha'uddin Zakariya (RA), Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) lived in Multan for 25 years as one of the Suhrawardis, composing poetry. As Shaykh Baha'uddin(RA) was dying, he named Hazrat Fakhruddin 'Iraqi (RA ) to be his successor.
When it became known that Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) had been named head of the Suhrawardi Order, some in the order became jealous and denounced him to the Sultan who sought to have 'Iraqi arrested.
Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) fled the area with a few close companions, and they eventually made their way to Makkah and Medina. Later they moved north to Konya in Turkey. This was Konya at the time of Rumi. 'Iraqi often listened to Rumi teach and recite poetry, and later attended Rumi's funeral.
Although Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) was nominally the head (in exile) of a large and respected Sufi order, he humbly became the disciple of another Sufi master—Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA), who also lived in Konya at the time. Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) was the son-in-law of the recently deceased Sufi philosopher Shaikh Ibn 'Arabi(RA). Although less known in the West today Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) was perhaps the pre-eminent Sufi teacher in Konya at the time, even better known than his neighbor Rumi.
Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) was deeply devoted Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) and to the teachings of Ibn 'Arabi(RA). It was a series of speeches Hazrat Sadruddin Qunawi(RA) delivered on the esoteric meaning of Ibn 'Arabi's great works that inspired Hazrat Fakharuddin Iraqi (RA) to compose his own masterpiece of commentary and poetry named the Lama'at or Divine Flashes.
When Fakhruddin 'Iraqi died he was buried near Ibn 'Arabi's (RA)tomb.
Baha-ud-din Zakariya’s(RA) successor then was his son Shaikh Sadruddin ‘Arif(RA). His disciple, Amir Husayn(RA)., the author of “Zad- al-Musafirin”, wrote several works on the doctrine Wahdat al-Wujud. Shaikh Arif’s(RA). son and caliph, Shaikh Ruknuddin (RA). was highly respected by the Delhi Sultans from ‘Alauddin Khilji to Muhammad Ibn Tughlaq.
After the death of Shaikh Ruknuddin(RA) the Suhrawardiyya silsila declined in Multan but became popular in other provinces like Uch, Gujarat, Punjab, Kashmir and even Delhi. Suharawardiyya order of Sufism became popular in Bengal (Contemporary Relevance of Sufism, 1993, published by Indian Council for Cultural relations).
It was popularised and revitalized by Hazrat Jalaluddin Surkh-Posh Bukhari(RA) known as Makhdum Jahaniyan, the world traveler. He was puritan and strongly objected the Hindu influences to Muslim social and religious practices.
Another contemporary mystic who is worthy of mention was Shaikh Sharfuddin Yahya Manairi (RA). (d. 1380 AD). He belonged to the Firdausia order, a branch of Suhrawardiyya. He compiled several books, i.e. “Fawaid al-Muridin”, “Irshadat al-Talibin”,”Rahat al-Qulub”, etc
Owaisiya:
Owaisiya is the name of a Sufi order founded by Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu)
Hazrat Owais Qarni(radi Allah anhu) was born in the village of "Qaran" in Yemen. River "showor" flowed through the city of Zubaida.
The family was so poor that there was no money to send him to Maktab or a teacher. The miracle here is that Hazrat Rasule Karim (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) became the spiritual guardian of this child and though they never met, Hazrat Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) guided him at all times - such was their bondage. This is the reason why Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) would often look toward Yemen, and say : "I am getting the beautiful fragrance Allah's blessings in the breeze. It is for Owais Qarni." Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) could never meet Rasullullah (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam), primarily because he used to take care of his sick mother. She would not allow him to go anywhere. After the battle of Uhud, when Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) came to know that the Prophet had lost a few teeth during the encounter, he broke all his teeth one by one till none was left - as he did not know exactly how many or which ones were lost by the prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). Such was the bondage of divine love between the two men, who never met each other. Once he went to Madina but failed to meet his most loved guardian. It is on record that on that day the Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) suddenly left home to say prayers in the mosque, leaving hurried instructions that a great saint was coming to visit him shortly and that it was predestined that they shall never meet in this world Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) knocked the Prophet's door minutes after the Prophet had left. When he was told that the Prophet had just left for a nearby mosque, he only smiled, cried for a while and then left. Years after the Prophet's demise, on repeated requests from Khalifa Hazrat Umar (radi Allah anhu), Hazrat Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) visited Madina where his most admired lay buried. He asked Umar (radi Allah anhu) to come just outside the border of Madina to meet him. Umar (radi Allah anhu) did what the great saint had bid, but asked why he ordered him to meet him outside Madina? Owais Qarni (radi Allah anhu) said, "Omar, how can you walk so close over the soil under which lay buried the body of Muhammad (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) I cannot even set my foot on the city where he lies buried." Such was the depth of his love for the Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). At last, only after the passing away of his mother, he could pay respects to Rasullullah's (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam) holy grave. Such was pre-ordained for the greatest lover of Allah and his Prophet (sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam). But it illustrated the pedestal of mothers. Serving them would take precedence over visiting even the Prophet(sal lal laho tala alaihi wasalam).Hazrat Owais Qarni(radi Allah anhu) used to avoid meeting people who called on him, observing that the Day of Judgement was near and he could not afford to waste his time in earthly gossips.Qarni taught := He who recognises God as a friend makes friendship with no other creature= Consider the Quran like Khidr, thy guide, in the path and never forget death. Pray regularly and always.= Remember night is meant for worship not sleep.
The Prophet Salla Allahu 'alayhi wa Sallam told on the day of judgment that Allah will create 70,000 angels same as Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhuand when Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhu will come there in between them and will proceed to the heaven, no one will recognize him except Allah, because in the world he used to worship away from the mankind and so he will be kept away from the mankind on the day of judgment.
In his last days he met Ali Ibn Taleb alayhis 'salam and participated in the war of Seffin and was martyred there. There is a group of people who consider themselves as Owaisia. For them there is no need of teacher and they do not have any source with them like Owaise of Qarni Radi Allahu anhu, but they are on the right path of religion due to the Grace of Allah.
His Radi Allahu anhu grave is in a small village of Yemen, which is far away from capital Sana.