Qadiriyya

Qadiriyya is a Sufi order (tariqa) within Sunni Islam named after Abdul-Qadir Gilani, a prominent Islamic scholar and mystic who lived in Baghdad in the 11th and 12th centuries. Emerging in the medieval Islamic world, it became one of the oldest and most influential Sufi lineages. The order teaches a synthesis of rigorous adherence to Islamic law (sharia) with inward mystical practice, emphasizing personal purification, devotion to God, charity, and service to others. Spiritual authority is transmitted through a silsila, a chain of transmission linking contemporary sheikhs to Gilani and to earlier authorities.

Practices of the Qadiriyya typically center on dhikr, the remembrance of God, along with regular gatherings led by a trusted sheikh. Communities often maintain lodges or zawiyas where disciples receive instruction, guidance, and moral training. Charitable activities, hospitality, and care for the needy are commonly associated with its ethos. In some regions, pilgrimages to the tombs of saints and the celebration of religious occasions are observed as expressions of reverence and communal cohesion. Practices and emphasis can vary by locality, reflecting regional spiritual cultures while maintaining core principles.

Geographically, the Qadiriyya originated in Baghdad and later spread widely across the Islamic world. It has maintained a substantial presence in parts of the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and beyond, influencing religious life, education, and social networks in many communities. The order is often described as foundational in the landscape of Sufism, contributing to the development and adaptation of later Sufi lineages while promoting a balance of inner spirituality and outward piety.