From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
Not to be confused with Qadariyah, an early Islamic theological movement emphasizing free will.
"Qadri" redirects here. For other uses, see Qaderi (disambiguation).

The Qadiriyya (Arabic: القادريه‎‎, Persian: قادریه‎‎, also transliterated Qadri, Qadriya, Kadri, Elkadri, Elkadry, Aladray, Alkadrie, Adray, Kadray, Qadiri,"Quadri" or Qadri), are members of the Qadiri tariqa (Sufi order). This derives its name from Abdul-Qadir Gilani (1077–1166, also transliterated Jilani) who was from Gilan. The order relies strongly upon adherence to the fundamentals of Islam.



The founder of the Qadiriyya, Abdul-Qadir Gilani, was a respected scholar and preacher.[3] Having been a pupil at the madrasa of Abu Sa'id al-Mubarak he became leader of this school after his death in 1119. Being the new sheikh, he and his large family lived comfortably in the madrasa until his death in 1166, when his son, Abdul Razzaq, succeeded his father as sheikh. Gilani's son, Abdul-Razzaq Gilani, published a hagiography of his father, emphasizing his reputation as founder of a distinct and prestigious Sufi order.[4]




Sultan Bahu contributed to the spread of Qadiriyya in western India. His method of spreading the teachings of the Sufi doctrine of Faqr through his Punjabi couplets and through his writings which exceeded to more than 140. He granted the method of dhikr and stressed that the way to reach Divinity is not through asceticism or excessive or lengthy prayers but it is selfless love carved out of annihilation in God called fana.


The Qadiriyya Zawiya (Sufi lodge) in the medina of Libya's capital Tripoli.
  • The symbol of the order is the rose. A rose of green, and white cloth, with a six-pointed star in the middle, is traditionally worn in the cap of Qadiri dervishes. Robes of black felt are also customary.[6]
  • Names of God are prescribed as chants for repetition by initiates (dhikr). Formerly several hundred thousand repetitions were required, and obligatory for those who hold the office of sheikh.[6]
  • Celibacy, poverty, meditation, and mysticism within an ascetic context along with worship centered on saint's tombs were promoted by the Qadiriyya among the Hui in China.[7][8] In China, unlike other Muslim sects, the leaders (Shaikhs) of the Qadiriyya Sufi order are celibate.[9][10][11][12][13] Unlike other Sufi orders in China, the leadership within the order is not a hereditary position, rather, one of the disciples of the celibate Shaikh is chosen by the Shaikh to succeed him. The 92-year-old celibate Shaikh Yang Shijun was the leader of the Qadiriya order in China as of 1998.[14]

Spiritual chain[edit]

The spiritual chain (silsila) is listed as follows:

Another version is as follows:


Halisa - Halisiyya[edit]

The Halisa offshoot was founded by Abdurrahman Halis Talabani (1212 - 1275 Hijra), Kerkuk, Iraq. He kept short while making dhikr of "La ilahe İllallah" then followers called as Halisa. He was a clean-hearted, thin-minded honourable people who has been the leader of the Qadiri Tariqah. By deeply grasping the mystic of the Sheikh al-Din, it was deemed worthy of a high authority who had declared the true qualities of Muslims to declare that his dervish was to escape from the path and keep the right way. The objects that the people donated to the Tekke shared among the poor of the country. Hungry and miserable people were fed all day in his Tekke without regard for religion. Dawlati Osmaniyya donated money and gift to his Tekke in Kerkuk. Sultan AbdulMajid Khan's (Khalife Of İslam, Sultan of Ottoman Empire) wife Sultana Hatun sent many gifts and donates to his Tekke as a follower. There were many leaders, ruling men and military and government peoples among followers. It was known to everyone that he lived in complete conviction. Because of this reason, the people's ties were solid and strong. [15]

After his death, his branch was populated in Turkey, and followed by Sheikh Dede Osman Avni Baba, Sheikh Al-Haj Ömer Hüdai Baba, Sheikh Al-Haj Muhammed Baba, Sheikh Al-Haj Mustafa Hayri Baba, Sheikh Al-Haj Mehmet Baba. [16]

Qadri Noshahi[edit]

The Qadri Noshahi[17] silsila/offshoot was established by Syed Muhammad Naushah Ganj Bakhsh of Gujrat,Punjab, Pakistan in the late 16th century. Notable Sufi in this order are Sayeen Shams Ali Qalandar[18] of Shamsabad, Hujra Shah Muqeem, Pakistan.


The Qadri-Qadeeri order was founded by Muhammad Abdul Qadeer Siddiqi Qadri (1870–1962), the former dean and professor of Theology at the Osmania University, Hyderabad. He was a southern Indian Sufi widely known as Bahr-ul-Uloom (Ocean of Knowledge). Siddiqi's spiritual chain can be traced back to Abdul Qadir Gilani.[citation needed]

Sarwari Qadiri[edit]

Also known as Qadiriya Sultaniya, the order was started by Sultan Bahu in the 17th century and spread in the western part of Indian Subcontinent. Hence, it follows most of the Qadiriyya approach; in contrast, however, it does not follow a specific dress code, seclusion, or other lengthy exercises. Its mainstream philosophy is contemplation of belovedness towards God.[19]

The Qadiriyya-Mukhtariyya Brotherhood[edit]

This branch of the Qadiriyya came into being in the eighteenth century resulting from a revivalist movement led by Sidi Al-Mukhtar al-Kunti, a Sufi of the western Sahara who wished to establish Qadiri Sufism as the dominant religion in the region. In contrast to other branches of the Qadiriyya that do not have a centralized authority, the Mukhtariyya brotherhood was highly centralized. Its leaders focused on economic prosperity as well as spiritual well-being, sending their disciples on trade caravans as far as Europe.[20]


  4. ^ a b c d e Tarin
  6. ^ a b c John Porter Brown, The Dervishes, OUP, 1927, pp.100-110
  15. ^
  16. ^
  17. ^ Burkurdari, Hafiz Muhammad Hayat. Tazkirah Noshahia. 

Further reading[edit]

  • Chopra, R. M., "SUFISM", 2016, Anuradha Prakashan, New Delhi. ISBN 978-93-85083-52-5.
  • "Halisa and Distinguisheds", Mehmet ALBAYRAK, Ankara, 1993, Turkey