qadri

Qadri is a surname and given name used by Muslims in various regions, especially in South Asia and parts of the Middle East. It derives from the Arabic root Q-D-R, meaning able or capable. The given name Abdul Qadir, meaning servant of the capable (God), is the source of the surname in many cases, and shorter forms such as Qadir or Qadri are commonly used as well. The term Qadri is also associated with adherents of the Qadiriyya, one of the oldest Sufi orders.

The Qadiriyya Sufi order was founded by Abdul Qadir Gilani in the 12th century in Baghdad. It emphasizes inward purification, devotional practice, and service to others. Over the centuries it spread across the Islamic world, gaining followers in the Middle East, North Africa, Anatolia, and the Indian subcontinent. In different regions, adherents may be referred to as Qadiris or Qadri, reflecting linguistic and transliteration variations.

As a surname, Qadri is widely found among Muslim communities in South Asia, the Middle East, and the diaspora. Not all individuals bearing the name are linked to the Qadiriyya order; in many cases it is used as a traditional or familial identifier rather than an indicator of religious affiliation. Variants of the name include Qaderi, Qadery, and other transliterations, reflecting differences in languages and alphabets.

Overall, Qadri denotes both a personal name element rooted in a traditional attribute of God’s power and a cultural identifier linked to a historic Sufi lineage, with contemporary usage spanning personal, familial, and regional contexts.