As I’m sure you’ll have understood from the Introduction to Sufism the path towards Allah (swt) is based upon a purification process.

There are, as one might expect, many different types of purification processes. All based upon the Remembrance of Allah (swt), Sharia, Sunnah, Discipline & Love.

Some of these purification methods became very popular and were replicated from generation to generation of Sufi Masters which continue to this day.

These purification methods are known as Sufi Orders. There are four famous Sufi Orders around the world and they were all named
after the Sheikh who founded the purification process.

The four famous Sufi Orders are:

  • Qadiri: named after Hadhrat Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani
    al-Hasanii al-Husainii
  • Chisti: named after Hadhrat Khwaja Abu Ishaq Chisti made famous
    by Khwaja Muinuddeen Chisti (Khwaja Gareeb Nawaaz)
  • Soharwardi: named after Hadhrat Sheikh Umar Suharwardi
    &
  • Naqshabandi: named after Hadhrat Bahawudeen Naqshabandi

The first three sufi orders, Qadiri, Chisti, Soharwardi
trace their root back to Hadhrat Ali (r.a) whilst the Naqshbandi Chain
traces its root back to Hadhrat Abu bakr Siddiq (r.a).

There are other numerous Sufi orders which are also valid and trace their
way back to the Holy Prophet (saw) but these four represent the most popular
and the most well known. It should be noted that all Sufi Orders, along
with their respective Sheikh’s who represent them, should be respected
and revered at all times..

We at Zikr.co.uk follow the Naqshbandi Sufi Order.

For informational purposes one should note that:

  • From the time of Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq to the time of Hazrat Bayazid
    Bustami this chain was known as as-Siddiqia.
  • From Hazrat Bayazid to the time of Syedina Abdul Khaliq it was called
    at-Tayfuria
    .
  • From the time of Syedina Abdul Khaliq to the time of Hazrat Syedina
    Shah Naqshband it was called the Khwajagaania.
  • From the time of Syedina Shah Naqshband till now it is known as Naqshbandia.

The Naqshbandi Order pays close attention to observing
the Sunnah and conforming to the Sharia and lays a special emphasis on
Silent Zikr, Meditation and Companionship of one’s Sheikh.