The spiritual and temporal leader of the Muslims is Huzoor-e-Purnoor Sayyadul Aalameen Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, serving as the primary source from which all channels of guidance and inner inspiration flow in all directions. While the distinguished Companions of Sayyadinah Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam continued to provide external and internal guidance to the Muslim community wherever they were, after the departure of Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam from this world, the primary sources of spiritual inspiration and training were the first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Anhu, and the fourth Caliph Hazrat Ali al-Murtuzaa Radi Allahu Anhu, who has been referred to in a Hadith as the gateway to the "City of Knowledge," with the City being Sayyidinah Huzoor-e-Akram Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam Himself. Knowledge (Ilm) has been associated with inner esoteric knowledge.

 

Hazrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Anhu was succeeded by Hazrat Salman Farsi Radi Allahu Anhu as a Caliph, and the Silsilah Naqshbandiya traces its origins to Hazrat Abu Bakr as-Siddiq Radi Allahu Anhu through Hazrat Salman Farsi Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

The remaining three significant Silsilas originated from the leadership of Hazrat Ali Radi Allahu Anhu in the following manner:

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Hazrat Ali Alaihis 'salam  had four Caliphs:

1. Sayyidinah Hazrat Imam Hasan Alaihis 'salam

2. Sayyidinah Hazrat Imam Hussein Alaihis 'salam

3. Hazrat Khwaja Komyl Ibn Ziyad Radi Allahu Anhu

4. Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu

 

Sayyidinah Hazrat Imam Hasan and Sayyidinah Hazrat Imam Hussein Alaihis 'salam were succeeded by their sons and the sons of their sons, all known as Aima-Ahl-Bait, who continued to guide the Muslims throughout the centuries.

 

Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu had several Caliphs, two of whom were prominent:

1. Hazrat Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu

2. Hazrat Habib Ajami Radi Allahu Anhu

The caliphs of Khwaja Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu increased in number during the first and second centuries of the Islamic era. Eventually, they were organized into fourteen distinct orders or schools, each named after their respective leaders.

 

Hazrat Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu served as the caliph of Hazrat Khwaja Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu, and from him, five silsilas (khanwadas) originated.

 

Silsila-e-Zaidia: This spiritual chain is named after Khwaja Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the caliph of Hazrat Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu. There is a belief that Sheikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu (d. 794 CE) received the Kharqa (robe) of Khilafat from Sheikh Kumyl bin Ziyad Radi Allahu Anhu (622 CE - 703 CE) as well. However, this does not seem to be accurate. Abū Ḥāmid bin Abū Bakr Ibrāhīm mentions Sheikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu to be a contemporary of Yusuf bin Husayn al-Razi (d. 304 AH/916 AD) and states that he repented in his assembly, this does not seem to be true. Additionally, five descendants of Hazrat Abdullah bin Auf Radi Allahu Anhu, a renowned companion of Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, joined this Silsila. In the later years of his life, Sheikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu selected two prominent disciples as his caliphs to guide others. They were Shaikh Fuzail Ibn Ayaz Radi Allahu Anhu and Shaikh Yaqub as-Susi Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Ayaziya: This spiritual chain is named after Shaikh Fuzail Ibn Ayaz Radi Allahu Anhu. He received spiritual guidance from other Mashaikh (spiritual masters) of his time, including members of the blessed family of Rasool Allah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, the Aima Ahl Bait. He was also guided by the Tabiyin, the Companions of the Companions of Rasool Allah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam, who resided in prominent places in Arabia and provided guidance in the esoteric sciences of Islam.

 

Silsila-e-Adhmiya: This spiritual chain is named after its leader, Shaikh Ibrahim bin Adham Radi Allahu Anhu (718 – 782 AD). He received spiritual guidance and Khilafat from Shaikh Fuzail Ibn Ayaz Radi Allahu Anhu and Sayyidinah Imam Baqir Alaihis 'salam (676 – 732 AD). According to a belief, he abdicated the throne at the age of 20. Based on this account, it seems unlikely that he could have received the Khilafat from Imam Baqir Alaihis 'salam. This Silsila traces its connection to Sayyidinah Hazrat Ali Alaihis 'salam through Sayyidinah Hazrat Imam Hussein Alaihis 'salam as well as Shaikh Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Hubairiya: This spiritual chain is named after Khwaja Abu Hubaira Aminuddin Radi Allahu Anhu of Basra, who was a Khalifa of Khwaja Huzaifa Marashi Radi Allahu Anhu, the Khalifa of Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham Radi Allahu Anhu, who in turn was a Khalifa of Shaikh Fuzail Ibn Ayaz Radi Allahu Anhu, the Khalifa of Shaikh Abdul Wahid bin Zaid Radi Allahu Anhu, who was a Khalifa of Shaikh Hasan Basri Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Chishtiya: The Silsila-e-Chishtiya is led by Khwaja Mamshad Alwi Dainuri Radi Allahu Anhu, who served as the Khalifa of Khwaja Abu Hubaira Aminuddin Basri Radi Allahu Anhu. Following Khwaja Mamshad Alwi Dainuri Radi Allahu Anhu, Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami Radi Allahu Anhu was appointed by the Shaikh to establish a settlement in Chist, a region near Herat in Afghanistan. Shaikh Abu Ishaq Shami Radi Allahu Anhu was the first Shaikh to be known as Abu Ishaq Chisti Radi Allahu Anhu. Consequently, the esteemed Silsila-e-Chishtiya was established. Khwaja Abu Ahmad Abdal Radi Allahu Anhu, a respected figure from Chist, succeeded Khwaja Abu Ishaq Shami Radi Allahu Anhu, followed by Khwaja Abu Muhammad Chishti Radi Allahu Anhu, Khwaja Abu Yusuf Chishti Radi Allahu Anhu, and finally Khwaja Qutubuddin Maudud Chishti Radi Allahu Anhu. These five Shaikhs are revered as the pillars of the Silsila Chishtiya and are laid to rest in Chist.

 

Hazrat Habib Ajami Radi Allahu Anhu, the second Persian after Hazrat Salman Farsi Radi Allahu Anhu, carried the spiritual torch of Sufism to his homeland, Iran. He imparted training to numerous Arab and non-Arab Shayukh (plural of Shaikh), resulting in the establishment of nine silsilas (khanwadas) originating from him.

 

Silsila-e-Ajamiya: This Silsila is named after Khwaja Habib Ajami Radi Allahu Anhu, who served as the Khalifa of Shaikh Hasan of Basri. The fact that they were included in the chains of great orders such as the Naqshbandi, Qadiri, and Mawlawi enabled their legends to reach the present day.

 

Silsila-e-Taifuriya: The Silsila-e-Taifuriya is named after Shaikh Sultan-al-Arifin, Khwaja Abu Yazid Bistami Radi Allahu Anhu, originally known as Taifur. In Tazkarat-ul-Awliya by Shaikh Fariduddin Attar Radi Allahu Anhu, it is mentioned that Shaikh Abu Yazid Radi Allahu Anhu received spiritual enlightenment from 116 Shaikhs. Shaikh Abu Yazid Radi Allahu Anhu (804 - 874 AD) spent twelve years in the company of Sayyidina Imam Jafar as-Sadiq Radi Allahu Anhu (702 – 765 AD) and gained spiritual blessings and benefits which does not seem correct with respect to their timelines.

 

Some believe that he received inspiration from Sayyidina Imam Jafar as-Sadiq Radi Allahu Anhu through Uwaisiya (i.e. after the latter's passing through spiritual presence). Both of these methods are recognized by spiritualists as effective. It is said that in Lataif Ashrafi, he also received Khilafat from Khwaja Habib Ajami Radi Allahu Anhu (d. 738 AD) which does not seem correct with respect to their timelines. Hazrat Badiuddin Zinda Shah Madar Radi Allahu Anhu (1315 -1435 AD) received khilafat from Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yazid Bistami Radi Allahu Anhu, leading to the establishment of Silsila-E-Madariya, which does not seem correct with respect to their timelines.

 

Silsila-e-Karkhiya: The Silsila-e-Karkhiya is named after Khwaja Maaruf Karkhi Radi Allahu Anhu, who received Khilafat from Sayyidinah Imam Musa Kazim Alahissalam, the seventh Imam of the Blessed Family of Sayyidinah Rasoolullah Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam. He also received another robe of Khilafat from Khwaja Daud Taiy Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the Khalifa of Shaikh Habib Ajami Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Saqtiya: The Silsila-e-Saqatiya is led by Shaikh Khwaja Sirri Sakati Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the Khalifa of Shaikh Ma'ruf Karkhi Radi Allahu Anhu. He was one of the most influential students of Maruf Karkhi Radi Allahu Anhu and one of the first to present Sufism in a systematic way. He was also a friend of Bishr al-Hafi Radi Allahu Anhu. He was the maternal uncle and spiritual master of Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Junaidiya: This Silsila is named after Khwaja Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu, who was a Mureed and Khalifa of Khwaja Sirri Saqati Radi Allahu Anhu. Regardless of the spiritual sorrow of divine separation, he was known for his quick understanding and discipline when Sirri Saqti accepted him. These esteemed Shaikhs were of such great stature that the various branches and offshoots of the Silsila were named after them separately. Even the Silsila-e-Qadriya is an offshoot of the Silsila-e-Junaidiya.

 

Silsila-e-Gazruniya: The Silsila-e-Gazruniya is named after Khwaja Abu Ishaq Gazruni Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the king of Gazrun. He relinquished his kingdom and became a mureed of Khwaja Abdullah Khafif Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the Khalifa of Khwaja Muhammad Roem Radi Allahu Anhu, the Khalifa of Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu, whose lineage can be traced back to Hazrat Ali Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Tusiya: The head of this Silsila was Shaikh Alauddin Tusi Radi Allahu Anhu, the Khalifa of Khwaja Wajhuddin Abu Hafs Radi Allahu Anhu, who had a connection with Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu through intermediary Shaikhs. Shaikh Alauddin Tusi Radi Allahu Anhu was a friend of Shaikh Najmuddin Kubra of Firdaus Radi Allahu Anhu. Shaikh Najmuddin Kubra Radi Allahu Anhu was a Khalifa of Shaikh Abu Najib Suharwardi Radi Allahu Anhu.

 

Silsila-e-Suharwardiya: The Suhrawardi tariqah was initiated by Shaikh Abdul Qahir Abu Najib Radi Allahu Anhu during the 12th century. He was a disciple of Ahmad Ghazali Radi Allahu Anhu, the younger brother of Imam al-Ghazali Radi Allahu Anhu, and authored one of the most widely read sufi educational guides for disciples, “Adab al-Muridin”. This work has been translated into numerous languages and adopted by many Sufi orders.

 

After the passing of Abdul Qahir Abu Najib Radi Allahu Anhu, the tariqa was significantly developed by his nephew, Shahabuddin Abu Hafs Umar ibn Abd'allah Suhrawardi Radi Allahu Anhu, who is often regarded as the true founder of the order. Shahabuddin Abu Hafs Radi Allahu Anhu studied under Abdul Qahir Abu Najib Radi Allahu Anhu and authored the treatise “Awaarif al-Maarif”, which further increased the influence of the Suhrawardiyya in the subcontinent. The Awaarif al-Maarif is considered one of the enduring classics of tasawwuf (Sufism) today. He was highly respected by the rulers of Persia/Iran, and the Persian poet Shaih Sa'di was also his disciple (mureed).

 

Silsila-e-Firdausiya: The head of the Silsila-e-Firdausiya is Shaikh Najmuddin Kubra Radi Allahu Anhu, a respected figure from Firdaus who was a disciple (Mureed) and Khalifa of Shaikh Abu Najib Suharwardi Radi Allahu Anhu. It is believed that Shaikh Najmuddin Radi Allahu Anhu received the kharqa (robe) of Khilafat from Shaikh Ziauddin Ammar Radi Allahu Anhu also. Shaikh Ziauddin Ammar Radi Allahu Anhu was one of the prominent Khalifas of Shaikh Abu Najib Suharwardi Radi Allahu Anhu, and their lineage connects back to Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu through six intermediary Shaikhs.

 

Thus, the four Silsilas - Firdausiya, Suharwardiya, Tusiya, and Gazruniya - converge with Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi Radi Allahu Anhu, whose spiritual lineage can be traced back to Imam Ali Raza Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Imam Musa Kazim Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Imam Jafar Sadiq Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Imam Baqir Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Imam Zainul Abidin Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Amir ul-Mumineen Sayyidinah Imam Hussein Radi Allahu Anhu, son of Amir ul-Mumineen Sayyidinah Hazrat Ali Radi Allahu Anhu, the fourth Khalifa of Aaqaa-e-Do Jahan Sayyidinah Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam. According to a tradition, Amir-ul-Mumineen Sayyidinah Imam Hasan Radi Allahu Anhu is also included in these four Silsilas, as Abdul Qahir Abu Najib Radi Allahu Anhu was born in Sohrevard in the Zanjan province (Iran). Abdul Qahir Abu Najib Radi Allahu Anhu was a disciple.

 

It is mentioned in Nafahat al-Uns that Shaikh Abu Najib Suharwardi Radi Allahu Anhu also received Khilafat from Shaikh Kumyl bin Ziyad Radi Allahu Anhu, who was a Khalifa of Hazrat Ali, through the following lineage:

 

Shaikh Abu Najib, Shaikh Ismail Misri, Shaikh Muhammad bin Maukil, Shaikh Muhammad bin Daud, Shaikh Abdul Abbas bin Idriss, Shaikh Abdul Qasim bin Ramdhan, Shaikh Abu Yaqub Rabri, Shaikh Abu Abdullah Usman al Makki, Shaikh Abu Yaqub Nahrjori, Shaikh Yaqub as-Suhi, Shaikh Kumyl Ibn Ziyad Radi Allahu Anhu, who was the Khalifa of Hazrat Ali.

 

It is stated that Shaikh Najmuddin Kubra Radi Allahu Anhu had as many as seventy caliphs of similar status. His followers are divided into two Silsilas: Firdausia and Kibroya.