The Naqshbandi Haqqani Tariqah
The Way
A path of the heart: keeping the company of the shaykhs, remembering Allah, and polishing our character until it reflects the beauty of the Prophet ﷺ.
What is the Tariqah?
The Naqshbandi Tariqah is one of the great spiritual paths of Islam. It takes its name from Shah Bahauddin Naqshband of Bukhara, and it traces its chain of masters back to the Prophet ﷺ through Sayyiduna Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (r), the closest of his companions.
The Haqqani branch is the Way as it came to us through Maulana Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani (q), who carried it from Damascus and Cyprus to the West. Today it is guided by his son and successor, Maulana Shaykh Mehmet Adil.
The Tariqah is not something added to Islam. It is the inner life of the Shari‘ah: the same prayer, fasting and good character, lived with presence and love. The outward law is the lamp, and the Way is learning to keep its light burning in the heart.
“Our way is companionship, and all goodness lies in the gathering.”
Written over the doors of the Ottoman dergahs
Edeb Yâ Hû
Adab, O He! These words greeted everyone who stepped into a dergah. They remind the one who enters that they now stand in the presence of Allah, among His friends, and must carry themselves with courtesy inside and out.
Our shaykhs teach that the Way begins and ends with adab. Adab with Allah is to obey Him and be content with Him. Adab with the Prophet ﷺ is to follow and love him. Adab with the shaykh is to trust and serve. Adab with people is to honour them, serve them, and think well of them.
What the Way asks of us
Pillars of the Path
None of these are learnt from books alone. They are caught, like light from a lamp, by keeping the company of those who live them.
Adab
Courtesy of the heart
Right conduct with Allah, with the Prophet ﷺ, with the shaykh and with every creature. The masters say the whole of the Way is adab: without it nothing opens, and with it everything does.
Ikhlas
Sincerity
Doing everything for the sake of Allah alone, not for praise or position. Sincerity is the secret that makes a small deed weigh heavily and a long practice bear fruit.
Muhabbah
Love
The Way is travelled on love: love of Allah, of His Beloved ﷺ, of the shaykhs and of one another. The Prophet ﷺ said that a person will be with those they love.
Sohbet
Companionship
Sitting in the company of the shaykh and the brothers and sisters of the path. Shah Naqshband said: our way is companionship, and goodness lies in the gathering.
Dhikr
Remembrance
The remembrance of Allah, silently in the heart and together in the circles of the Khwajagan. Through dhikr the rust of the heart is polished until it can reflect the light.
Khidmah
Service
Serving the creation for the sake of the Creator. Maulana Shaykh Nazim taught that the best of services to Allah is to be in the service of humanity.
The Khwajagan
The Eleven Principles
Eight were taught by Khwaja Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani (q) and three were added by Shah Naqshband (q). Together they describe how the seeker keeps the heart awake.
- 1
Hush dar dam
Awareness in every breath, that none passes in heedlessness.
- 2
Nazar bar qadam
Watching one's step, keeping the gaze from what distracts.
- 3
Safar dar watan
Journeying within, from blameworthy traits to praiseworthy ones.
- 4
Khalwat dar anjuman
Solitude in the crowd: with people outwardly, with Allah inwardly.
- 5
Yad kard
Remembrance, by tongue and by heart.
- 6
Baz gasht
Returning, turning back to Allah with every remembrance.
- 7
Nigah dasht
Watchfulness over the thoughts that enter the heart.
- 8
Yad dasht
Recollection, holding to the presence of Allah.
- 9
Wuquf-i zamani
Awareness of time, taking account of one's states.
- 10
Wuquf-i adadi
Awareness of number in the dhikr.
- 11
Wuquf-i qalbi
Awareness of the heart, turned always towards its Lord.
Come and sit with us
You do not need to know anything to begin. Come to a gathering, sit in the circle, and taste it for yourself. If you would like to learn more or ask about taking bay'ah, speak to us at the dergah or get in touch.
Naqshbandi · Haqqani
A living tradition of love & remembrance
“Our way is the way of the heart.”