ordersQadiriyya

OrdersQadiriyya refers to the Qadiriyya, one of the oldest Sufi orders in Islam. Founded in the 12th century by Abdul-Qadir Gilani in Baghdad, the order emphasizes theological orthodoxy, personal piety, and service to others. After Gilani, his teachings were transmitted through a chain of successors (sil­sila) and spread along caravan routes to North Africa, the Horn of Africa, South Asia, and beyond.

Central practices include dhikr, liturgical remembrance, and, in some communities, spontaneous singing and recitation; adherence to the Sharia; moral reform; charitable works; and the use of zawiyas or lodges as centers for teaching and hospitality. The order is marked by a flexible, decentralized structure with many khalifas and local lineages rather than a single universal hierarchy.

In West Africa, the Qadiriyya became a major Sufi force and played a role in the spread of Islam and intercultural exchange; similar networks developed in the Maghreb, Egypt, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. The exact practices and liturgy vary by region, but common themes include humility, generosity, and spiritual guidance through a living master or shaykh.

Today, the Qadiriyya exists as a family of related tariqas (Sufi orders) linked to Abdul-Qadir Gilani, with numerous mosques, zawiyas, and charitable organizations that continue to practice dhikr, teaching, and social service. It remains one of the most widespread Sufi traditions in the Muslim world.