Shadhili

The Shadhili Order (Arabic: الطريقة الشاذلية) is a tariqah or Sufi order. The Shadhili order was[1] founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili in the 13th century [2] and is followed by millions of people around the world. Many followers (Arabic murids, "seekers") of the Shadhili Order are known as Shadhilis, and a single follower is known as Shadhili.

It has historically been of importance and influence in the Maghreb and Egypt with many contributions to Islamic literature. Among the figures most known for their literary and intellectual contributions are ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari, author of the Hikam, and Ahmad Zarruq, author of numerous commentaries and works, and Ahmad ibn Ajiba who also wrote numerous commentaries and works.

In poetry expressing love of Muhammad, there have been the notable contributions of Muhammad al-Jazuli, author of the Dala'il al-Khayrat, and al-Busiri, author of the famous poem, the Al-Burda or "The Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation". Many of the head lecturers of al-Azhar University in Cairo have also been followers of this tariqa.

Of the various branches of the Shadhili are the Fassiyatush of Imam Fassi,[3] found largely in India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The Darqawiyya of Muhammad al-Arabi al-Darqawi is found mostly in Morocco and the Alawi-Darqawiyya of Ahmad al-Alawi originated in Algeria is now found the world over, particularly in Syria, Jordan, France, and among many English-speaking communities. British scholar Martin Lings wrote an extensive biography of Ahmad al-Alawi entitled A Moslem Saint of the Twentieth Century.[4]

The anniversary of al-Shadhili is held on 12th of Shawwal (the tenth month of lunar calendar) at Humaithara in Egypt.

  1. ^ al-Ṣabbāgh, M.A.Q.I.; Douglas, E.H.; Abu-Rabiʻ, I.M. (1993). The Mystical Teachings of al-Shadhili: Including His Life, Prayers, Letters, and Followers. A Translation from the Arabic of Ibn al-Sabbagh's Durrat al-Asrar wa Tuhfat al-Abrar. State University of New York Press. ISBN 9780791416136. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  2. ^ "Sufis & Shaykhs [3] – World of Tasawwuf". spiritualfoundation.net. Archived from the original on 2012-09-11. Retrieved 2015-02-26.
  3. ^ "Fassiyathush Shazuliya Tariqa | Madurai -Tamil Nadu-India". February 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Martin Lings (2021). A Moslem Saint of the Twentieth Century: Shaikh Ahmad Al-'Alawī His Spiritual Heritage and Legacy. Routledge. ISBN 978-1-00-048334-5.