The Shajara (Lineage Tree)

The Shajarahs (Lineage Trees) of the Mujaddidi, Naqshbandi, Qadiri, Chishti, and Shadhili Orders. Document of the lines of teachers through whom Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid’s predeccessors trace their spiritual descent from the Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him).

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Hazrat Abdul Bari Shah (1859-1900 A.D.)

Hazrat Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was a great saint and a truly universal being (insan-i-kamil). Over time, his importance and his contribution to Sufic thought and action is being more and more recognized throughout the world. Hazrat Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was born in 1859 A.D. in Balgadhi (a village in India in the of Bengal). His father was an expert in both theology and spiritual sciences, and was a master of alchemy, that is the ability to transform materials from one substance to another. When Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was only six years old, his father passed away, and his mother had to shoulder the full responsibility of raising the child. In accordance with the will of her husband, she moved from Balgadhi to Hoogli, near Calcutta. She spun thread to earn a livelihood. Her life was a model of patience and gratitude. Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was so considerate that despite his early age, he tried to contribute to the family’s income by doing minor work to help his mother. After some time, at the request of a relative, the family moved from Hoogli to Naldanga. Here Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah’s mother would stay until her last breath, and here the holy tomb of Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) would eventually be situated. Once, when Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was a child, some boys asked came to him and asked to accompany them in stealing coconuts. Initially he refused to go, but when they insisted, he agreed to join them. They reached the trees, and the other boys started picking coconuts. They asked Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) to stand watch nearby, ready to inform them if anyone approached. It happened that the coconut trees were near a graveyard. Suddenly, Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) saw a dead person coming towards him. This person said: ”Good boy, you were not born for this purpose.” Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) left his comrades there and returned home. Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) received no formal education. He was admitted to a school, but he did not like this type of education, and so he left school and engaged himself in various jobs. At last he got a position with a good salary at the railway. He could now have a better life, and also be in the company of friends. One night, Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) saw his father in a dream. He told him that he didn’t approve of the job at the railway because of corruption in the workplace. In his heart, Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) had remained detached from that employment, and when he got up in the morning, he decided to resign. His Arabic teacher and some of his friends tried to prevent him from resigning, warning him that it would be very difficult to get this kind of work again. He didn’t accept their advice, and left the railway. Shortly thereafter, he suffered from dysentery, so acute that people though he might not survive. Again he saw his father in a dream. He gave him something to eat, and he ate his fill. When he awoke, he felt better, and within a few days he was completely cured. By now, Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) was quite a changed person, devoting most of his time to spiritual pursuits. He was also searching for a Shaykh who could guide him in this path. He was first initiated by a great Chishti Shaykh, Hazrat Karim Bakhsh (r.a.), (the father of our Grand Shaykh), who happened to pass through Balgadhi. When Sayyid Abdul Bari Shah (r.a.) started observing pas-an-fas (awareness of breath) according to the instructions of his Shaykh, his heart was opened. He was very happy with the experience and began to take even more interest and to devote himself enthusiastically to this pursuit. But he was sorry that he could not see the Shaykh again. Read more

Falling in love…

Falling in love is one beautiful realities of Sufism and there are many ‘love stories’ among the shuyukh. Four of my personal experiences with this unique and pure love involve, of course, my beloved Shaykh Hazrat Azad Rasool of N.Delhi.   The story of our meeting and our 30+ years together will be the subject and foundation of an upcoming publication (book).  Another story is about my relationship with Shaykh Ahmed Kuftaro , the Grand Mufti of Syria; which, insh’Allah will be detailed at a later time; Dede Effendim Sulieman Loras Chelbi, the shaykh of the Mevlevi in Konya , a man of such sweetness and simple love that I found myself always with tears in my eyes when in his presence. His words to me and his adab remains a daily guide to a character one aspires to have. Finally is a simple but beautiful story about the honor I had to sit at the feet of Hazrati Shaykh Osaman Sirrajuddin,  a Naqshbandi who held me in the firm grip of love and blessed me with the strength to rise to new challenges. Read more

Shaykh Muhammad Osman Sirajadiin

In remembrance of Shaykh Osman ( may Allah protect his secrets) “I had the honor to sit at the feet of  Hazrati Shaykh Osman Sirrajuddin,  a Naqshbandi who held me in the firm grip of love and blessed me with the strength to rise to new challenges.” Shaykh Osman with Shaykh Abdur Rashid 1992, Turkey

Tomb of Abul Hassan ash Shadhili

Rare photos from the  tomb of Imam Abul Hassan ash- Shadhili  أبي الحسن الشاذلي‎ ( 656 AH/1258 CE)

View of  Humaythra Valley, on Egypt ’s Red Sea coast.

 Sheikh Abul Hassan Al Shazali village in the heart of the East Desert

 Overview from Humaythraa mountain. 

Shaykh Abu’l-Hassan ash-Shadhili died in the south of Egypt near the Red Sea while he was on his way to the pilgrimage in Mecca in 1258.

 His shrine, which appears to be nowhere, in the middle of the desert, stands to the present day and is highly venerated. Near his tomb are two wells, one containing bitter water, the other containing sweet water.

Historic stone

 Maqam of Abul Hassan ash-Shadhali

 Thank you for photos Abdul Haqq Godlas