Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasanzani al-Husseini, the Grand Sheikh of the Qadiri-Kasanzani Sufi Order in the World
The Sayyid Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasanzani al-Husseini
His Lineage
He Is the Sayyid Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru, son of the Sayyid Sheikh Sultan al-Khalifa Muhammad al-Muhammad, son of the Sayyid Abdul Karim, son of the Sayyid Abdul Qadir, son of the Sayyid Abdul Karim Shah al-Kasanzani, son of the Sayyid Hussein, son of the Sayyid Hassan, son of the Sayyid Abdul Karim, son of the Sayyid Ismail al-Walian, son of the Sayyid Muhammad al-Nudhi, son of the Sayyid Baba Ali al-Wondrana, son of the Sayyid Baba Rasul al-Kabir, son of the Sayyid Abdul Sayyid al-Thani, son of the Sayyid Abdul Rasul, son of the Sayyid Qalandar, son of the Sayyid Abdul Sayyid, son of the Sayyid Isa al-Ahadb, son of the Sayyid Hussein, son of the Sayyid Bayazid, son of the Sayyid Abdul Karim al-Awwal, son of the Sayyid Isa al-Barzanji, son of the Sayyid Baba Ali al-Hamdani, son of the Sayyid Yusuf al-Hamdani, son of the Sayyid Muhammad al-Mansur, son of the Sayyid Abdul Aziz, son of the Sayyid Abdullah, son of the Sayyid Ismail al-Muhaddith, son of the Imam Musa al-Kazim, son of the Imam Ja’far al-Sadiq, son of the Imam Muhammad al-Baqir, son of the Imam Ali Zayn al-Abidin, son of the Imam Hussein, son of the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib, may God be pleased with him and the Lady Fatima Zahra, the Lady of the Women of the Worlds (peace be upon her), the daughter of the Messenger of God and the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, our master Muhammad al-Mustafa, peace be upon him and his family.
His Education and Academic Degrees
The Sayyid Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasanzani al-Husseini is married and has several children. He completed his secondary education in Baghdad and obtained a bachelor’s degree in computer science from the University of Baghdad. He also obtained a bachelor’s degree In English language studies from the United Kingdom, and then a master’s degree in history from the Arab Institute of History. He then obtained a PhD in Islamic history, with his dissertation title being “Muhammad the Conqueror: His Life and Conquests.” He also studied English language studies in the United Kingdom, so he speaks three languages: Arabic, Kurdish, and English.
His Spiritual Life
Since the birth of Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan (may God preserve him) and his upbringing, there were signs of and Indications of spiritual succession. In the 1990s, His Holiness Sheikh Sultan Khalifa Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny (may God sanctify his secret) saw the qualifications for It, so he treated him In a special way, assigned him tasks of the way and guidance, and accompanied him on most of the trips and guidance visits. He often recommended him to the caliphs and informed them of his succession after him, saying to them: “It is not permissible for any caliph to open a take or leave a caliph except after informing my successor, Sheikh Nehru.”
He appointed him in 2005 in front of a large gathering of caliphs and followers as his successor after him, saying: “God willing, Sheikh Nehru is the Sheikh of the future, and he is your Sheikh, your brother, your servant, and the servant of the way.”
Then the official announcement came by giving him the absolute agency of the way outwardly and inwardly In 2008 in the Sulaymaniyah was taken, and that any guidance from Sheikh Nehru is a guidance from the Sheikh, and the way Is not represented after the Sheikh by anyone but Sheikh Nehru. Everyone knew that the sheikhs do not put anyone In the place of the sheikh If he is not qualified for the sheikhdom and the professorship, and no one has any choice In this great matter except by a special spiritual guidance from the Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) with that; Becausee he is the greatest professor of the way.
In 2011, he accompanied his brother Sheikh Gandhi to perform the Umrah rituals and visit his grandfather in the blessed holy shrine.
He was awarded the title of “Shams al-Din” on January 9, 2017, by order of the Great Ghawth, His Holiness Sheikh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (may God sanctify his secret) at the celebration of his blessed birthday, and Sheikh Sultan Khalifa Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny (may God sanctify his secret) informed him of it in Amman, Jordan.
In 2019, His Holiness Sheikh Sultan Khalifa Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny (may God sanctify his secret) traveled to the United States of America for guidance, and in the early days of 2020, the Sheikh’s health began to deteriorate gradually, until he met his appointment to meet the Prophetic presence in history on 4/7/2020.
So his eldest son, His Holiness Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny, took over the tasks of leading the way in the world, and sat on his chair, following in the footsteps of his sheikh and father in absorbing all sects, religions, and nationalities in Iraq, because the Al-Kasanzani Qadiri Sufi Order transcends the limits of all these names, it has friends, lovers, and those influenced by it even from other heavenly religions, as its religious theses, thought, and creed are not distinguished by fanaticism and extremism of thought. These these are acceptable to everyone; Because they are considered the common denominator that everyone agrees on.
In the fortieth session of the Muhammadi Noor Council that he held In the transfer of his father, Sheikh Sultan Khalifa Muhammad al-Muhammad al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny (may God sanctify his secret), the Sheikh honored him with a precious and blessed gift in the world of spirit by order and permission from the Great Prophet (peace be upon him and his family) with the prayers of the pearl, the wording of which is: “O Allah, bless our master Muhammad, the pearl of the light, the brilliant ruby, the light of Allah the shining, and the secret of Allah the greatest, according to the number of what is In your knowledge of the number, with every blink of an eye, from eternity to eternity, and upon his family and companions, and peace be upon him.” And In the same council, Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan launched a global dialogue initiative, to hold a global Sufi conference that brings together all spectrums; For understanding and achieving peace in the whole world.
Political Activity
Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny is a prominent national figure and an Iraqi political leader with a keen political vision for the current events. He has a vision for the future of Iraq as a democratic, free, and united state.
He Is originally from a well-known religious and political family in Iraq and the region as a whole. The previous regime was hostile to him and imprisoned him along with a number of his family members. Despite all this hostility, he and his family refused to leave Iraq, but rather continued to struggle within his country in the hope of contributing to the construction of a new Iraq that enjoys freedom and prosperity. In 1991, he founded a party called the Iraqi National Unity Gathering in Iraq/Baghdad to promote this great national project. Many of Its members have made great sacrifices, with the number of its martyrs reaching nearly 50.
He played a prominent role in the struggle as an Iraqi politician and president of a struggling Iraqi party. His life was In danger in Baghdad, but he continued his struggle in the northern region after his release until the fall of the regime. After the fall of the regime, he preferred to distance himself from the interferences and tensions of the heated political conflict, and from the disadvantages of the political game In seizing positions and chairs under the banner of sectarianism. His only choice was for the homeland to be united, away from sectarian affiliations. Accordingly, he took cautious positions on the nature of the formation of the Governing Council according to the principle of sectarianism, which would have crystallized and entrenched ethnic, sectarian, and sectarian conflicts between the sons of the same people.
He believes that It is essential for political forces to open up to the people and work for them and among their ranks. He says: “The criterion for the national character of the political forces operating in Iraq today Is related to the extent to which they approach or move away from the meaning of their existence and their ability to implement the goals that they should have set for themselves in the crucible of struggle to save the people of Iraq and build a true democratic political process.”
He alwayss calls on these forces to be active and to leave the image of the spectator to the active system in building the homeland and achieving its security and prosperity; because the people, as he says, need a stable present that rules itself in a true democratic atmosphere led by a government that they choose or represent, which rules in accordance with a permanent constitution that runs the affairs of the country that elects Its representatives in a council or parliament or any formula that stems from the people’s satisfaction.
He participated In many conferences, including:
The Reform Conference In 2005.
The Defense Conference (defense conference) held in Dubai in 2008.
Media Activity
Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan al-Husseiny believes that the media has a very Important role in instilling basic ideas and principles that lead to the elevation and happiness of society, In the midst of Intellectual, scientific, and technological development. Therefore, he translated this interest by establishing media and cultural institutions, including:
Al-Mashriq Media and Cultural Foundation, which publishes Al-Mashriq newspaper, which is widely circulated in Iraq.
Al-Mashriq Press, which is concerned with printing newspapers and cultural books.
Al-Ufuq newspaper, which is an Independent political newspaper that deals with Iraqi affairs In all its political, social, and cultural aspects.
Al-Iraq newspaper, which is an Iraqi political and cultural newspaper.
Al-Mashriq satellite channel, which is an independent channel.
Al-Mashriq terrestrial channel in Baghdad.
Opening a website called the Al-Kasanzani Sufi Order www.kasnazan.com.
Opening a website called Islamic Sufism www.islamic-sufism.net.
Launching the Dialogue Initiative, which aims to bridge the gap between people, promote cooperation, and cultivate trust and respect between global communities.
Founding the Al-Kasanzani Cultural Council under his presidency and supervision, which includes thirteen committees. It is a non-governmental, global, civil, cultural council with an independent moral personality that expresses the identity of the Al-Kasanzani Sufi Order. It is for the sons of the Al-Kasanzani Sufi Order everywhere, and Its headquarters is in Sulaymaniyah. It expresses the general orientations of the Al-Kasanzani Order. Its goal is to spread cultural and intellectual awareness and enrich it In the spiritual, cultural, literary, legal, scientific, and various aspects of life. Work to correct the wrong paths and ethics In societies, as well as to work to achieve social justice, to combat deviated and extremist ideas
Academic Institutions
The Sheikh believes that academic knowledge is the foundation of a prosperous and progressive society. In 2004, he founded the Al-Salaam University in Baghdad, which offers the following programs:
Islamic Studies and Interfaith Dialogue1-
English Language2-
Computer Science and Applied Mathematics3-
Law4-
Computer Engineering5-
The Sheikh hopes to expand the university to include new departments in the coming years, such as engineering, medicine, pharmacy, and business administration.
Cultural Institutions
The Sheikh also believes that cultural activities are essential for building a strong and united society. He has founded a number of cultural institutions, including:
The World Center for Sufism and Spiritual Studies (1994)1-
The Scientific Complex of the Noble Sayyids (2004)2-
The Central Council of Sufi Orders (2004)3-
The Sheikh has also authored and published a number of books and4- articles, including:
Clusters of Visions (2006)
The Encyclopedia of Remembrance and Rememberers (2008)
The Cultivation of Islamic Manners in the Al-Kasnazaniyyah Sufi Order (2007)
Miraculous Sufi Healing and Modern Medicine (2007)
Visions and Dreams In the Sufi Perspective (2007)
Sultan Mehmed the Conqueror: His Life and Conquests (2013)
Iraq: Steps on the Path of Correcting the Course (2006)
Al-Kasnazan Magazine (2006)
Charitable Projects
The Sheikh Is also a strong advocate for charity and humanitarian work. He founded the Iraqi Relief Society In 2004, which provides aid to people in need In Iraq. The society has provided food, shelter, and medical care to millions of people.
Conclusion
Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan is a prominent national and political figure in Iraq. He Is the Sheikh of the Al-Qadiriyyah al-Kasnazaniyyah Sufi Order and the founder of Al-Salaam University.
The Sheikh is a strong advocate for academic knowledge, cultural activities, and charitable work. He believes that these are essential for building a prosperous and united Iraq.
Recommendations
In order to be more influential in the future, Sheikh Shams al-Din Muhammad Nehru al-Kasnazan should focus on the following:
Building a broad popular base for his ideas
Collaborating with other political and social forces in Iraq
Focusing on issues that are of widespread concern in Iraqi society, such as unemployment, poverty, and corruption
If he is successful In achieving these goals, he will play a significant role in shaping the future of Iraq.
Charitable Projects
Establishment of the Iraqi Relief Society
The Sheikh established a charitable association named the Sheikh Dr. Nehru Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Kasnazan al-Husseini Association, which has carried out many charitable projects and provided assistance to Iraqis inside and outside the country until now, serving this great people.
Through his conscious and responsible human interaction with the suffering of the Iraqi people and the fierce attack they were subjected to by blind extremism and terrorism, he played a major role and made an effective contribution to providing humanitarian services to the poor and displaced families of our patient Iraqi people. He also opened camps for the displaced, including:
The Kasnazan camp In the Dawra area In Baghdad, which is the largest camp for the displaced in Baghdad, according to the recognition of international and Iraqi government organizations.
He also opened camps for the displaced in the governorates of Sulaymaniyah and Kirkuk.
He also opened all the Kasnazan lodges in Iraq to shelter the displaced and provide all humanitarian assistance, both in physical and material, due to the difficult economic and social conditions that many families of the Iraqi people have begun to suffer, regardless of their sectarian and ethnic affiliations. Under the slogan (Support all poor families in Iraq regardless of religion, sect, or race). The goal Is to compensate and assist those poor families from a humanitarian point of view and to save them from the deterioration of the severe economic and social conditions, as well as to help their children continue their scientific and educational journey by establishing a number of primary, intermediate, and secondary schools In the camps of the displaced. He also exempted a large number of the children of displaced families who are affiliated with Al-Salaam University from annual fees. He also opened medical clinics In the camps of the displaced to treat patients and provide them with medicines. He had a human stance In treating a large number of patients in hospitals outside Iraq.
Economic and Commercial Institutions
Dr. Nehru al-Kasnazan owns a group of commercial companies operating in various economic fields, especially oil investments, industry, and facility protection. These commercial companies are managed by a group of the brightest economic minds under his supervision.
