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Shah Nakshbandi

The Most Distinguished Osmanli • Nakshibendi • Hakkani Sufi Order is an authentic spiritual path (tarikat) that is deeply rooted in Islam and in the Traditions of the Seal of the Prophets, the Beloved of Allah, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). It is the only Sufi path that traces its spiritual lineage back to the closest companion of the Prophet (p), Abu Bakr Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him), 'the second of the two' in the Cave. According to the Prophet (p), all the secret knowledge that Allah put in the heart of the Prophet (p) was poured into the heart of Abu Bakr. This secret knowledge, which is the Prophetic knowledge of Sufism, was then transmitted from heart to heart, from one grandsheykh to another. This order later received its name from Shah Bahauddin Nakshibend of Bukhara, the 19th Grandsheykh who lived in Central Asia.

Its purpose is a Prophetic purpose, to turn mankind away from this lower world (dunya) and our lower selves (nafs) to a higher existence (maula) and a higher self (ruh), ultimately to experientially realize the truth of the testimony of faith, that there is no God but God – “la ilaha illallah”. This is achieved by understanding and adhering through practical living the lifestyle of the Prophet (p), the most perfect model for all of humanity and for all times, thus realizing the second phrase of the testimony of faith, “Muhammedan Abduhu wa Rasuluhu”- that Muhammed is the Servant and Messenger of God. The actualization of the second phrase is realized through initiation (bayat) and association (sohbet) with the inheritors of the Prophet (p), the living Saints (awliya) and Sheyhks. Just as the companions of the Prophet (p) achieved spiritual perfection through association with the Prophet (p), so the followers (murids) of this Sufi order realize their spiritual potential through associations with the Sheykh.


Grandsheykh Abdullah Daghestani
Tarikatuna Sohbah wal hayri fi jamiyah

The main concern of the Nakshibendi Sufi Order is with the Greater Struggle (jihad-ul akbar), the spiritual struggle with the ego (nafs) and the other enemies of Man- shaytan, dunya, and hawa. In order to engage in this Holy Struggle, the murid must be in constant association with the Sheykh and he would then apply the teachings into his daily life. Shah Nakshibend said “Tarikatuna Sohbah wal hayri fi jamiyah”- this Way is based on association and goodness comes through association. Just as a patient submits to a doctor, so the murid learns to submit to the Sheykh, who is a Spiritual Physician of the Heart. Through the cleansing of the heart from all idols and desires, the murid will then be able to transform his heart into the Throne of God, inviting Him to reside therein. Other spiritual practices include the remembrance of God (zikir), chanting the divine names of Allah and praising His Holy Prophet (p).


Prophetic Tradition The Most Beautiful Names of Allah




Sheykh Nazim Adil al-Hakkani al-Kibrisi "Do you think we came from the Divine Presence with our whole originality, our whole personality? Never. We are like one ray of the sun. We are, in our originality, in reality, still in Divine Presence. Not moving, out of time and space there is no movement. We are continuously worshipping, always in the Divine Presence for service. Here, in this life, there is only one ray from that timeless 'sun' for us. We are here for a little time only."
-Grandsheykh Mevlana Nazim al-Hakkani al-Kibrisi









The people of God do not admire what they are doing,
they act only out of the love of God.

-Shah Bahauddin Nakshibendi



Dervishes in Chille (a training for the ego)






If you are irritated by every rub,
how will your mirror be polished?
-Rumi