{{Short description|Sufi order}} [[File:Kasnazani Order(Tareeqah).png|thumb|Kasnazani order(Tariqah)]] alt=Shaikh Muhammad al-Kasnazani|thumb|Shaikh Muhammad al-Kasnazani, the previous leader of the order<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sufi crowds force through Iranian border into Kurdistan Region to attend leader's funeral|url=https://www.kurdistan24.net/en/story/22763-Sufi-crowds-force-through-Iranian-border-into-Kurdistan-Region-to-attend-leader%E2%80%99s-funeral|access-date=2021-03-17|website=www.kurdistan24.net|date=9 July 2020 |language=en}}</ref> At-Tariqah '''Al-Aliyyah Al-Qadiriyyah Al-Kasnazaniyyah''' ({{langx|ar|{{langx|ar|العلية القادرية الكسنزانية}}}}''''', '''''shortly known as ''''' '''''Kasnazani - {{langx|ar|{{langx|ar|كسنزني}}}} and''' '''occasionally as''' '''Al-Kasnazani''' '''{{langx|ar|الكسنزاني}}, {{Langx|ku|کەسنەزانی}}) is a Sufi order popular in Iraq and Iran, and a sub-order of the Qadiri order. It is the largest tariqah in Iraq, and is spread widely across neighbouring countries. Its spiritual lineage to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad passes through his cousin and son-in-law Ali Ibn Abi Talib. The present spiritual master of the Kasnazani order is As Sayyed As Shaikh Nehro Abdul Kareem Al-Kasnazani Al-Qadiri Al-Hussaini, a descendant of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad through the lineage of his grandson Imam Husain ibn Ali. The Kasnazani order makes no distinction between Sunni and Shia followers.
== Etymology == The name of the Al-Qadiriyya Al-Kasnazaniyya Order derives from multiple roots: "Al-'Aliyya" refers to Ali ibn abi talib, while "Qadiriyya" refers to Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Gilani. The term "Kasnazaniyya" is of Kurdish origin and means "no one knows its reality." It was first given as a title to the family of the Order after their ancestor, Abdul Karim, was called by this name due to his seclusion for four years in one of the mountains of Qara Dagh, near the city of Sulaymaniyah. When people asked about him during that time, they were simply told "Kasnazan." After his return, the name remained and became associated with this Sufi path, which was adopted by Abdul Karim, his sons, and their descendants.
The family of Kasnazan belongs to the Barzinji tribe, whose upper lineage goes back to Sheikh Isa al-Barzinji, the first to settle in Barzinjah in northern Iraq.<ref>{{cite book | url = https://ketabonline.com/ar/books/103120/read?page=3&part=1 | title = Encyclopedia of Al-Kasnazani in the Terminology of Sufism and Gnosis | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210103193025/https://ketabonline.com/ar/books/103120/read?page=3&part=1 | archive-date = 3 January 2021 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.kasnazan.com/سؤال-حول-معنى-كلمة-يا-هو-كسنزان/ | title = A Question About the Meaning of the Phrase "Ya Hu Kasnazan" | access-date = 2021-05-06 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180712225907/http://www.kasnazan.com/سؤال-حول-معنى-كلمة-يا-هو-كسنزان/ | archive-date = 12 July 2018 }}</ref>
== Practices == Followers of the order perform certain spiritual practices that are believed to manifest miraculous abilities.<ref>{{cite web |title=Examples of Supernatural Feats in the Kasnazani Order |url=https://www.kasnazan.com/%D9%86%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B0%D8%AC-%D9%85%D9%86-%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B9%D8%A7%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D9%81%D9%8A-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B3/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103193046/https://www.kasnazan.com/نماذج-من-خوارق-العادات-في-الطريقة-الكس/ |archive-date=2021-01-03 }}</ref> These include acts such as walking on fire or piercing various parts of the body—such as the cheeks or arms—with sharp instruments, conducted under the direct supervision and guidance of the order's sheikhs. Adherents believe that these acts are not for public display or spectacle, but are seen as a continuation of prophetic miracles, aiming to affirm the presence and oneness of God and to guide hearts toward faith.<ref>{{cite web |title=Miraculous Acts in the Kasnazani Order |url=https://www.kasnazan.com/%D8%AE%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%82-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B3%D9%86%D9%80%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103190605/https://www.kasnazan.com/خوارق-الطريقة-الكسنـزانية/ |archive-date=2021-01-03 }}</ref>
The sheikhs of the order emphasize that such practices are only carried out under specific conditions and with their explicit permission. They are strictly prohibited for purposes of self-glorification and must only be used in the context of spiritual guidance when deemed necessary. The decision to engage in these practices is either made by the sheikh during his presence or by the disciple himself when he perceives that their use would enhance the impact of the guidance being offered.<ref>{{cite book |title=The High Qadiriyya Kasnazaniyya Sufi Order |author=Sheikh Muhammad al-Kasnazani |language=Arabic |page=166 }}</ref>
The order also maintains its own set of spiritual litanies (awrad) and distinctive forms of dhikr (remembrance), which, like in other Sufi traditions, are intended for inner purification and spiritual striving.<ref>{{cite web |title=Al-Awrad |url=https://www.kasnazan.com/%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%a7%d9%88%d8%b1%d8%a7%d8%af/ |date=2018-05-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922104459/https://www.kasnazan.com/ |archive-date=2021-09-22 |access-date=2021-10-07 }}</ref> Public demonstrations of extraordinary feats have been officially suspended by order of the current sheikh, Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad al-Kasnazani, who emphasized that in the current era, spiritual guidance is better delivered through kind words and gentle admonition.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sufi Practices Between Parapsychology and Ritual |url=https://www.kasnazan.com/%D9%81%D8%B9%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%8A%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%B4%D8%A9-%D8%A8%D9%8A%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%8A%D9%83%D9%88%D9%84%D9%88%D8%AC%D9%8A%D8%A7/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210103215059/https://www.kasnazan.com/فعاليات-الدروشة-بين-الباراسيكولوجيا/ |archive-date=2021-01-03 }}</ref>
== Spiritual hierarchy of the Kasnazani Order == In the Kasnazani order, the highest rank is the ''Sheikh of the Order'', currently held by Sheikh Nehru Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani who succeeded his father, Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani, after his death. Below him is the rank of the general deputy (''al-Wakeel al-'Aam''). Following that is the rank of ''Khalifa''. The Khulafa are murids (disciples) who have been authorized to establish and manage tekke (houses of remembrance). After them is the rank of ''Murshid'', whose role is to go outside the tekke and guide people toward the spiritual centers (''tekaya'').<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.arap-culture.com/%D8%A8%D8%B9%D8%AF42-%D9%83%D8%B1%D8%A6%D9%8A%D8%B3-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D9%82%D8%A9-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%83%D8%B3%D9%86%D8%B2%D8%A7%D9%86%D9%8A%D8%A9%D8%8C-%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%B4%D9%8A%D8%AE-%D9%85/ | title = After 42 Years as Head of the Kasnazani Order, Sheikh Muhammad Passes Away | date = 6 April 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201029052430/https://www.arap-culture.com/بعد42-كرئيس-الطريقة-الكسنزانية،-الشيخ-م/ | archive-date = 2020-10-29 }}</ref>
== The spiritual lineage of the Kasnazani Sufi Order == {{Plain image with caption|image=حضرة الشيخ شمس الدين محمد نهرو الكسنزان.jpg|caption=The current Sheikh of the order is Sheikh Nehro Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani.}} According to their beliefs, this spiritual path was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, then passed to Imam Ali<ref>{{Cite book | title = The Book of the Supreme Qadiriyya Kasnazaniyya Order |author=Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani | page = 392 | language = ar }}</ref> based on the Prophet's saying : "Whoever I am his master, Ali is his master. O Allah, befriend whoever befriends him and oppose whoever opposes him."<ref>{{Cite book | title = Al-Mustadrak 'ala al-Sahihayn |author=Abu Abdullah Muhammad bin Abdullah | year = 1990 | volume =3 | language = ar | page = 419 | location = Nishapur, Iran }}</ref> And the saying: "I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate."<ref>{{Cite book | title = Al-Bidaya wa'l-Nihaya |author=Ibn Kathir | year = | volume =11 | language = ar | page = 96 }}</ref> From him, the lineage of the spiritual chain branches into two wings.<ref>{{Cite book | title = Encyclopedia of Kasnazani Terms in Sufism and Mysticism | date = 2005 |author=Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani | page = The lineage of the Sheikhs of the Supreme Qadiriyya Kasnazaniyya Order }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.kasnazan.com/%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%b3%d9%84%d8%a9-%d9%85%d8%b4%d8%a7%d9%8a%d8%ae-%d8%a7%d9%84%d8%b7%d8%b1%d9%8a%d9%82%d8%a9-%d8%a7%d9%84%d9%83%d8%b3%d9%86%d9%80%d8%b2%d8%a7%d9%86%d9%8a%d8%a9/ | title = Chain of Sheikhs of the Kasnazaniyya Order {{!}} | date = 2018-05-29 | access-date = 2022-01-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190826023751/https://www.kasnazan.com/سلسلة-مشايخ-الطريقة-الكسنـزانية/ | archive-date = 26 August 2019 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |+ !First Wing (The Golden Chain) |- |Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib |- |Imam Husayn ibn Ali |- |Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin |- |Imam Muhammad al-Baqir |- |Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq |- |Imam Musa al-Kadhim |- |Imam Ali al-Ridha |- |Sheikh Ma'ruf al-Karkhi |}
To the second wing:
{| class="wikitable" |+ !Second Wing |- |Sheikh Hasan al-Basri |- |Sheikh Habib al-Ajami |- |Sheikh Dawud al-Tai |- |Sheikh Ma'ruf al-Karkhi |- |Sheikh Sari al-Saqati |- |Sheikh Junayd of Baghdad |- |Sheikh Abu Bakr al-Shibli |- |Sheikh Abdul Wahid al-Yamani |- |Sheikh Abu Faraj al-Tartusi |- |Sheikh Ali al-Hakkari |- |Sheikh Abu Sa'id al-Makhzumi |- |Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Gilani |- |Sheikh Abdul Razzaq al-Gilani |- |Sheikh Dawud II |- |Sheikh Muhammad Gharib II |- |Sheikh Abdul Fattah al-Sayyah |- |Sheikh Muhammad Qasim |- |Sheikh Muhammad Sadiq |- |Sheikh Hussein al-Basra'i |- |Sheikh Ahmad al-Ahsa'i |- |Sheikh Ismail al-Wiliani |- |Sheikh Muhyiddin of Kirkuk |- |Sheikh Abdul Samad Kalleh Zardeh |- |Sheikh Hussein Kazan Qaya |- |Sheikh Abdul Qadir Kazan Qaya |- |Sheikh Abdul Karim Shah al-Kasnazani |- |Sheikh Sultan Hussein al-Kasnazan |- |Sheikh Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani |- |Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazani |- |Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.qadiri-kasnazani.com Official Qadiri Kasnazani Website] * [http://www.kasnazan.com/ Kasnazani Order website] (Arabic)
Category:Islam in Iraq Category:Kurdish culture Category:Qadiri order
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