Naqshbandi Tariqa Sufi Way | Know Your Prophet

The Naqshbandiyya Aliyya Sufi Way

There are 42 Sufi Tariqas (ways). The Naqshbandiyya Tariqa is one of the major Sufi paths leading the seeker to become a true servant of Allah, and to reach His eternal pleasure. Naqshbandiyya means to “tie the Naqsh very well.” The Naqsh is the perfect engraving of Allah’s Name in the heart of the follower. Naqsh which means “engraving” and suggests engraving the name of Allah in the heart, and band which means “bond” and indicates the link between the individual and his Creator.

Naqshbandiyya is a major Tariqa (way) of Sunni Islam. The meaning of "Tariqa" is the Muslim spiritual path towards direct knowledge of God or Reality. In the 9th and 10th centuries, tariqa meant the spiritual path of individual Sufis (mystics). After the 12th century, as communities of followers gathered around Shaykhs (teachers), tariqa came to designate the Shaykh’s entire ritual system, which was followed by the community or mystic order. Eventually tariqa came to mean the order itself.

What distinguishes the Naqshbandi school from other Sufi orders is the fact that it takes its foundations and principles from the teachings and example of the six bright stars in the firmament of the Prophet (s). These great figures were: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Salman al-Farisi, Ja'far as-Sadiq, Bayazid Tayfur al- Bistami, 'Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani, and Muhammad Baha’uddin Uwaysi al- Bukhari, known as Shah Naqshband–the eponymous Imam of the tariqa.

The Naqshbandiyya Aliyya Sufi Order traces back a lineage of Sufi masters - this lineage is referred to as The Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

Our Teachers

Shaykh Nazim Adil

21 April 1922 - 7 May 2014

Shaykh Nazim was born in Larnaca, Cyprus, on the 23rd of April 1922, a Sunday, the 26th of Sha'ban, 1340 H. His lineage from his father’s side traces its roots to Sayiddina `Abdul Qadir Jilani, founder of the Qadiri Order. His lineage from his mother goes back to Sayiddina Jalaluddin Rumi, founder of the Mevlevi Order. He is Hassani-Hussaini, related to the Prophet through the lineages of his grandfathers to the family of the Prophet (PBUH). From his father’s side he received the Qadiri Tariqah. From his mother’s, the Mevlevi Tariqah...

Shaykh Muhammad Adil

29 March 1957

Shaykh Muhammad Mehmet Adil was born on 29 March 1957 in Damascus, Syria. He is the oldest son of Shaykh Nazim Adil and of Hajja Amina Adil Sultan Hanim. As Mawlana Shaykh Nazim’s successor, Shaykh Muhammad is now the 41st Shaykh of the Golden Chain of the Naqshbandiyya Aliyya Tariqa.

Shaykh Muhammed Adil spent his youth in Syria’s capital, Damascus, under the guidance of both Shaykh Abdullah Fa’iz ad-Daghestani (QS) and Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil, training in the manner and discipline of the Naqshbandi Tariqa. He received his madrasa Islamic education from the Ahle Sunnah scholars of Damascus...

Shaykh Ali Elsayed

Our Founder

Shaykh Ali Elsayed is the appointed representative of Shaykh Muhammad Adil in the United States and Canada, and he is also a member of the Canadian Council of Imams. He teaches Islamic spirituality on behalf of his shaykh, and conducts weekly dhikr circles. Shaykh Ali is also an author, an accomplished nasheed artist, vocalist, and writer of devotional poetry - having produced multiple Arabic and English Nasheed Albums.

Shaykh Ali was born and raised in Lebanon. He moved to the US in the early nineties where he met his spiritual master in the Sufi Naqshbandi path, Shaykh Nazim Adil, and his deputy in North America, Shaykh Hisham Kabbani. He spent over 20 years under the tutelage of such great teachers in Tasawuff (Sufism). For over 20 years Shaykh Ali accompanied them on their travels all over the world, spreading the teachings of the classical Islam of Ahle Sunnah wal Jama'ah, leading and conducting dhikr circles all over the world and singing the love poetry of Sufism.

Shaykh Ali is also an author of Islamic poetry, Islamic children's books and has translated Mawlid Ad-Daybaee and Dala’il Al-khayrat from Arabic into English. During his travels, shaykh Ali Elsayed took part in many interfaith gatherings and meetings. He wrote nasheed which highlights what is common between the monotheistic faith, and the common truths all human beings share.

Shaykh Ali currently resides in Toronto, Canada, and has been appointed to travel and spread the teachings of Islamic spirituality, love, and tolerance in the US and Canada.