Sufi orders, known as tariqas, have long played a vital role in Muslim communities worldwide, blending spirituality with a deeply rooted ethical code that impacts both individuals and society at large. Today, these orders are experiencing renewed interest as people seek spiritual connection, ethical guidance, and communal solidarity amid rising global uncertainties.
Sufi orders trace their origins to the early followers of Islam who sought to achieve closeness to God through a life of piety, self-discipline, and inner purification. Through centuries, these groups have provided a structured spiritual path, where adherents follow a shaykh or spiritual guide. Unlike many religious institutions, the tariqas emphasize a direct, personal relationship with the Divine, often through practices like meditation, chanting (dhikr), and poetry. This spiritual focus offers solace for those looking beyond ritualistic religion for a more experiential connection.
In the history of Islam the movement of ‘spiritual orders’ proved to be the most powerful, honorable, long lasting and successful among all others. The reason behind its success is closeness and gnosis of Allah which occupies one’s inward completely. Islam has its esoteric and exoteric perspectives. The exoteric aspect of Islam is sharia and esoteric is Sufism which leads to the reality and gnosis.
Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani says:
One must know that exalted stations (of gnosis of Allah) cannot be gained without absolute repentance and persuasion by the perfect spiritual guide. Allah says:
Meaning: And made them firm on the word of piety. (48:26)
‘Word of piety’ is in fact shahada which is inculcated by the perfect spiritual guide whose inward is purified of everything other than Allah. It is not merely a verbal recitation, although the words are same but there is a clear difference in meaning. If the seed of Oneness of Allah is obtained from an immortal spiritual guide then one’s inward becomes alive as this seed is the best and perfect. On the contrary the inferior seed does not have the capacity to grow (give life). That is why shahada is revealed twice in the Quran
First of all Ali ibn Abi Talib requested Prophet Mohammad for gnosis of Allah. In this regard Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani says:
First of all Ali ibn Abi Talib sought the easiest and the quickest way of reaching Allah from the Holy Prophet. He waited for the revelation so Angel Gabriel came and taught shahada thrice. The Holy Prophet repeated after him in the same way. Then Prophet Mohammad taught shahada to Ali ibn Abi Talib and then to all of his Companions and said, “We return towards the greater jihad from the minor one.” Greater jihad is a fight against one’s innerself. Once the Holy Prophet said to some of his Companions, “Your biggest enemy is your innerself (nafs) which lies between your two sides.” One cannot win love of Allah unless he defeats his esoteric enemies that are inciting innerself, repenting innerself and the inspiring innerself. (Moreover one cannot achieve closeness of Allah) unless he is purified of all the undesirable traits like gluttony, undue sleep, absurd talk and bestial habits like fighting, abusing, aggression, and satanic attributes like ignorance, vanity, jealousy, enmity and other such exoteric and esoteric evils. When a person gets rid of all these vices then roots of sin are eliminated from his being and he is counted among the purified and sanctified ones
SPIRITUAL SUCCESSORS OF ALI IBN ABI TALIB
Ali ibn Abi Talib had four spiritual successors; Hasan ibn Ali, Husayn ibn Ali, Shaikh Hasan of Basra and Kumayl ibn Ziyad. In Sufism, they are known as the four righteous leaders or the four Mystic Caliphs. From these four Imams, fourteen mystic orders initiated.
SPIRITUAL SUCCESSORS OF HASSAN OF BASRA
Shaikh Hasan of Basra had many successors but two of them are more prominent i.e. Shaikh Habib Ajmi and Abdul Wahid ibn Zaid. Fourteen mystic chains started from them, five from Abdul Wahid ibn Zaid and nine from Shaikh Habib Ajmi
SHIEKH ABDUL QADIR JILLANI
Before Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani the Islamic world was severely entangled in chaos and disintegration. Muslim rule faced downfall in many countries. The remaining Muslim rulers were either facing internal conspiracies or tyrannies from outside. Besides the political crises, Muslims were also divided religiously. False sects like Moutzillah, Shia, Marjiyya and movements like Kharijites etc. had created factions and anxiety among common Muslims. They were indulged in useless discussions and controversial dialogues about the religion. Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani has mentioned seventy-three Muslim sects in his book Ghunyat al-Talibeen. According to him, only one of them was on the right path and all the others were strayed
The spiritual beneficence of Shaikh Abdul Qadir is infinite as he says:
اَفَلَت شُمُوسُ الْاَوَّلِیْنَ وَ شَمْسُنَا
اَبَدًا عَلٰی فَلَلکِ الْعُلٰی لَا تَغْرُب
Explanation: The suns of earlier ones have set but ours will keep shining brightly forever on the sky of supremacy.
GRANDEUR OF SHAIKH ABDUL QADIR JILANI AND PROMINENCE OF QADRI ORDER
Sultan Bahoo explains the prominence of the Qadri order in these words:
If you are clever and wise then listen! If you are oblivious then come out of oblivion! If you are practical then believe me! If you are accomplished then always remember these words! The Qadri way belongs to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani who is the bestower of treasures of Divine secrets and absolves his imperfect disciples from the pain of mystic hardships. His Qadri order is like a sharp sword. It beheads the one who keeps enmity against his disciples and seekers. If the disciple and seeker is virtuous, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani keeps him under his shelter but if he is a sinner 797 then he keeps him under his scrutiny. If anyone tries to harm them, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani ruins him in both the worlds. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
Know that when the Holy Prophet set for the night journey of Miraj, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani put his neck under the Holy Prophet’s sacred feet. On this the Holy Prophet declared that Abdul Qadir’s foot is upon the neck of all the Saints. (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
For more information about Sufi Order please Read the book: Sufism the Soul of Islam