Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi: A Pillar of Kurdish Sufism (1861–1939)
- Kurdish History
- 6 days ago
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Introduction To Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi (1861–1939)
In the rugged mountains of Kurdistan, where ancient spiritual traditions blend with the harsh realities of imperial transitions, few figures embody the enduring power of Sufism like Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi. Born in 1861 in the village of Tawella (near modern Halabja in Iraqi Kurdistan) and passing away in 1939 in Bahakon, this Kurdish Sufi sheikh, scholar, and saint—known variously as Shah Ali Husam al-Din, Hazrat-i Shah, and Baba Ali—served as a beacon of spiritual guidance during a tumultuous era. As a leading figure in the Naqshbandi order's Khalidi branch, he bridged Ottoman loyalty with emerging modern identities, fostering moral excellence, education, and communal harmony amid political upheaval.
Sheikh Ali's life unfolded against the backdrop of the declining Ottoman Empire, the rise of nation-states, and the persistence of tribal and religious networks in Kurdistan. The Naqshbandi order, one of Sunni Islam's most influential Sufi paths, emphasized silent dhikr (remembrance of God), strict adherence to Sharia, and sobriety over ecstasy. In Kurdistan, the Khalidi sub-order—founded by Mawlana Khalid al-Baghdadi—gained prominence in the 19th century, offering spiritual discipline and social stability. Sheikh Ali, part of the illustrious House of Tavil, inherited this legacy and expanded it, becoming one of the most respected Naqshbandi sheikhs in Iraq with thousands of followers across ethnic and national boundaries.
This blog post explores his life, contributions, and enduring legacy, drawing on historical accounts to illuminate how one man's piety shaped an entire region's spiritual landscape.
The Historical Backdrop: Sufism and the Naqshbandi Order in Kurdistan
The Naqshbandi order traces its spiritual lineage (silsila) to Prophet Muhammad through Abu Bakr as-Siddiq and later figures like Baha' al-Din Naqshband (d. 1389). The Khalidi branch, introduced by Mawlana Khalid al-Baghdadi (d. 1827), spread rapidly in the 19th century, emphasizing inner purification, silent invocation (dhikr khafi), and vigilance over one's spiritual state (muraqaba).
In Ottoman Kurdistan, Sufi sheikhs like those of the House of Tavil wielded immense influence. They mediated disputes, educated communities, and sometimes provided military support to the empire. The Tawella region, in Hawraman, was a hub for such activity. The House of Tavil, tracing its roots to the 7th century and formalized in the 18th century, held the title "Sheikh" as community leaders. They maintained relations with Ottoman sultans, sending followers to defend borders during conflicts like the Ottoman-Russian wars.
Sheikh Ali emerged in this milieu, inheriting a tradition of piety and authority. His grandfather, Uthman Siraj-ud-Din Naqshbandi (1781–1867), was the first caliph of Mawlana Khalid in Sulaymaniyah, establishing Tawella as a major center. His father, Muhammad Baha-ad-Din (1836–1881), continued this work, founding the Gulp lodge. When Muhammad Baha-ad-Din died in 1881, the 20-year-old Ali assumed leadership, guiding the community through the empire's decline and the British Mandate's arrival.
Early Life and Family Heritage
Born in 1861 in Tawella, a village nestled in the mountainous Hawraman region, Ali grew up in an environment steeped in Islamic scholarship and Sufi devotion. As a Sayyid (descendant of the Prophet through Imam Husayn), he belonged to the noble House of Tavil, respected for their ethical principles and vast knowledge. His lineage included scholars, saints, and leaders who combined spiritual authority with practical influence.
From childhood, Ali displayed exceptional piety. His grandfather reportedly recognized his spiritual potential early, testifying to his "great power." Raised amid ilm (knowledge), ibada (worship), and moral discipline, he studied Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish dialects, Hawrami, and Zazaki. This linguistic prowess enabled him to guide diverse followers.
At age six, he lost his grandfather Uthman Siraj-ud-Din, a formative loss that deepened his commitment. His father's death in 1881 thrust leadership upon him. Though young, he embraced the role, advising people, teaching, and preserving the family's Naqshbandi traditions.
Spiritual Training and Ascetic Practices
Sheikh Ali's spiritual journey emphasized Naqshbandi principles: sobriety, silent dhikr, and Sharia adherence. He was a caliph of nine orders (Naqshbandiyyah, Qadiriyyah, Rifa'iyya, Suhrawardiyyah, Kubrawiyyah, Badawiyyah, Shadhili, Chishtiya), but prioritized Naqshbandi teachings.
His asceticism was legendary. For 18 years, he never reclined, maintaining kneeling or meditative postures in devotion to "hush dar dam" (awareness in every breath). He rejected ecstatic states, focusing on inner purification and protection from doubts. Disciples described him as an "ocean of knowledge," eloquent, generous, and dignified.
He established lodges: expanding Gulp (his father's), founding Bahakon (where he settled), and Tebekel near the Zalam River. These centers offered communal dhikr, education, and welfare—farms, gardens, and hospitality.
Leadership of Tawella Madrasah and Broader Influence
Tawella Madrasah, under Sheikh Ali, became one of Iraq's most effective Naqshbandi centers. It educated students in hadith, tafsir, fiqh, and Sufi ethics. His scholarship earned him recognition as the era's greatest scholar.
With approximately 24,000 followers—including 9,000 dervishes—his influence spanned Iraq, Iran, Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond. Followers included Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Persians, and even Europeans. He mediated tribal issues, promoted law and order, and supported moral causes like planting trees and banning deforestation.
British observer Cecil J. Edmonds (1921) noted his moral authority: "For the former I conceived great respect, for his moral authority was invariably exercised actively in the interests of law and order."
Challenges and Adaptations in a Changing World
The late Ottoman period brought challenges: centralization reforms, wars, and the empire's collapse. Sheikh Ali navigated pragmatically, maintaining ties with authorities while preserving autonomy. During the British Mandate and early Iraqi state, he focused on spiritual guidance.
He supported patriotic causes, including correspondence during the Turkish War of Independence. His family aided Sheikh Mahmud Barzanji's 1919 revolt and later influenced the 1946 Kurdistan Democratic Party formation.
Despite political shifts, his emphasis on piety transcended borders. He integrated Qadiri elements and emphasized direct spiritual encounter through the sheikh.
Legacy and Descendants
Sheikh Ali died in 1939 and was buried in Bahakon, now a shrine. His legacy endures through the Siraj al-Dini branch's strength in Hawraman and beyond. Descendants continued leadership, with figures like his brother Jafar Muhammad Uthman (1863–1927) and later relatives maintaining influence.
He symbolized Kurdish resilience, blending Sufi spirituality with social responsibility. His lodges fostered education and community, while his asceticism inspired devotion. Today, in Kurdistan's spiritual landscape, he remains a model of ethical leadership.
Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi's life reminds us that true influence stems from inner light, not worldly power. In an era of change, he offered stability through faith, knowledge, and compassion— a legacy that continues to illuminate the path for seekers across generations.
Key Events and Timeline
To better appreciate the arc of Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi's life, here is a chronological timeline of key events, drawn from historical records. This timeline highlights his personal milestones, spiritual roles, and the broader historical context that shaped his career.
1861: Born in Tawella village, Ottoman Empire (now in Halabja, Iraq), to Muhammed Bahaeddin al-Tavili. Raised in a family of prominent Sufi scholars belonging to the House of Tavil.
1867 (age 6): Death of grandfather Uthman Sirâj-ud-Dîn Naqshbandi, the first caliph of Mawlânâ Khâlid al-Baghdadî in Sulaymaniyah. Grandfather recognizes young Ali's spiritual potential early on.
1881 (age 20): Death of father Muhammed Bahâ-ad-Dîn. Assumes leadership duties, beginning his role in advising, guiding people, and preserving the Naqshbandi traditions.
Post-1881: Masters Islamic sciences including hadith, tafsir, and fiqh; becomes recognized as the greatest scholar of his time. Learns multiple languages: Turkish, Arabic, Persian, Hawrami, Zazaki, and regional dialects to better serve diverse followers.
Throughout career (1880s–1930s): Serves as sheikh of Tawella Madrasah, a major Naqshbandi center in Iraq. Establishes and expands Sufi lodges including Gulp (expanded from his father's), Bahakon in Bahakon village, and Tebekel near the Zalam River. Acts as caliph for nine tariqahs: Naqshbandiyyah, Qadiriyyah, Rifa'iyya, Suhrawardiyya, Kubrawiyya, Badawiyya, Shadhili, and Chishtiya.
Throughout career (1880s–1930s): Spreads the Naqshbandi order across Iraq, Iran, Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond, amassing approximately 24,000 followers, including 9,000 dervishes and murids from various ethnic groups (Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Persians, and others).
Family historical context (inherited legacy): Through his grandfather, the family supports the Ottoman Empire by sending thousands of followers to defend borders during Ottoman-Russian wars.
Throughout life: Promotes moral excellence, compassion, and environmental stewardship; plants hundreds of trees, cultivates gardens, and bans tree-cutting in his regions of influence.
1921: British observer Cecil J. Edmonds notes his moral authority, exercised in the interests of law and order during the British Mandate period.
Later years: Moves to Bahakon village, continuing his teaching and guidance from Bahakon Lodge while maintaining connections to Tawella.
1939 (age 77–78): Dies in Bahakon village, Iraq; buried there, with his grave becoming a site of pilgrimage.
Q&A Section
Here are some frequently asked questions about Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi, based on historical accounts, to provide deeper insights into his life and legacy.
Q: Who was Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi? A: Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi (also known as Baba Ali, Shah Ali Husam al-Din, or Hazrat-i Shah) was a prominent Kurdish Sufi sheikh, scholar, and saint in the Naqshbandi order's Khalidi branch. He was a key spiritual leader in Iraqi Kurdistan, guiding thousands of followers with teachings emphasizing moral excellence, Sharia adherence, and inner purification.
Q: When and where was Sheikh Ali born and died? A: He was born in 1861 in Tawella village (near Halabja, Ottoman Empire, now in Iraq) and died in 1939 in Bahakon village, Iraq, where he is buried and his grave serves as a pilgrimage site.
Q: What was his family background and early life like? A: Born into the noble House of Tavil as a Sayyid (descendant of the Prophet), his grandfather was Uthman Siraj-ud-Din Naqshbandi (d. 1867), a major caliph of Mawlana Khalid al-Baghdadi, and his father was Muhammad Baha-ad-Din (d. 1881). From a young age, he showed exceptional piety, mastering Islamic sciences and multiple languages including Arabic, Persian, Turkish, and Kurdish dialects.
Q: What spiritual roles did he hold? A: He served as sheikh of Tawella Madrasah and was a caliph in nine Sufi orders, primarily the Naqshbandi. He expanded Sufi lodges like Gulp, Bahakon, and Tebekel, focusing on silent dhikr, ascetic practices, and community education in hadith, tafsir, and fiqh.
Q: How extensive was his influence and following? A: His influence spanned Iraq, Iran, Anatolia, Syria, Lebanon, and beyond, with about 24,000 followers, including 9,000 dervishes from diverse ethnic groups such as Kurds, Turks, Arabs, and Persians. He mediated tribal disputes, promoted law and order, and supported environmental efforts like tree planting.
Q: What challenges did he face during his lifetime? A: He navigated the decline of the Ottoman Empire, World War I, the British Mandate in Iraq, and emerging nation-states. Despite political upheavals, he maintained spiritual focus, earning respect from observers like British official Cecil J. Edmonds in 1921 for his role in promoting stability.
Q: What is Sheikh Ali's legacy? A: His legacy endures through the Siraj al-Dini branch of the Naqshbandi order in Hawraman and his family's continued influence in Kurdish Sufism. He symbolized resilience, blending spirituality with social responsibility, and his lodges remain centers for education and devotion.
References
Here is a list of key references and sources used or relevant to the life and history of Sheikh Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi (1861–1939), drawn from historical accounts, academic works, and online resources. These provide the foundation for understanding his role as a Kurdish Sufi sheikh in the Naqshbandi order.
"Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi." Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ali_Hisam-ad-Din_Naqshbandi. Accessed January 21, 2026. This entry details his biography, family lineage, spiritual roles, and influence as a Naqshbandi leader.
"Ali Hisam-ad-Din Naqshbandi." Grokipedia. https://grokipedia.com/page/ali_hisam_ad_din_naqshbandi. Accessed January 21, 2026. Provides insights into his early life, initiation into the Naqshbandi order, and the Siraj al-Dini branch in Hawraman.
"Biography of Shaykh Naqshbandi leader." Facebook Group: THE SUFI MYSTICS OF ISLAM. https://www.facebook.com/groups/684113735615017/posts/911338659559189. Accessed January 21, 2026. Discusses his birth in Bayara near Halabja and his leadership in Naqshbandi and Qadiri orders.
Nawid, Senzil K. "Religious Response to Social Change in Afghanistan, 1919–29." Referenced in Brill publication: From Yarkand to Sindh via Kabul. https://brill.com/downloadpdf/book/9789004387287/BP000012.pdf. Accessed January 21, 2026. Offers context on the early history of the Naqshbandi lineage in Afghanistan and surrounding regions.
Shikhaliev, Shamil. "Biographies of Three Naqshbandi Shaykhs from Daghestan [Part 2/4]." Hypotheses.org. https://redgold.hypotheses.org/785. Published February 10, 2022. Accessed January 21, 2026. Includes biographical elements and commentary on Naqshbandi shaykhs, with parallels to Sheikh Ali's life.
Hourani, Albert. "Shaikh Khalid and the Naqshbandi Order." In Islamic Philosophy and the Classical Tradition: Essays Presented to Richard Walzer. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1972. (Referenced in JSTOR article: The Naqshbandiyya-Mujaddidiyya in the Ottoman Lands). https://www.jstor.org/stable/1569796. Accessed January 21, 2026. Explores the formative years and spread of the Naqshbandi order in Ottoman lands.
"Naqshbandia Chain." Peer Dilber. http://www.peerdilbar.com/english/naqshbandia_karamaia/Naqshbandia_Chain.htm. Accessed January 21, 2026. Traces the spiritual lineage of the Naqshbandi tariqat, including figures connected to Sheikh Ali's heritage.
"The Naqshbandi Sufi Order: Historical Development, Spiritual Principles, and Global Influence." Ghayb.com. https://ghayb.com/the-naqshbandi-order. Published May 12, 2025. Accessed January 21, 2026. Covers the order's origins, principles, and key figures like Baha-ud-Din Naqshband, providing broader context for Sheikh Ali's branch.
These sources offer a mix of primary and secondary historical insights. For further reading, academic databases like JSTOR or books on Sufism in Kurdistan are recommended.
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