Noble Lineage and Lofty Spiritual Rank
The esteemed Sayyid, descendant of the Prophet Muhammad through both parents, was endowed with manifest miracles, pure spiritual blessings, and an exalted station. He was a gnostic of the Divine, a manifestation of spiritual perfection, a radiant lamp, the source of the circle of sainthood, the reviver of the Sunnah and the religion, the gatherer of secrets and meanings, master of humans and jinn, and the fountainhead of sacred knowledge and gnosis.
Lineage
He is Sayyid Abd al Karim, son of Sayyid Husayn, son of Sayyid Hasan, son of Sayyid Abd al Karim, son of Sayyid Ismail al Waliyani, son of Sayyid Muhammad al Nudahi, son of Baba Ali al Wandareena, son of Sayyid Baba Rasul al Kabir, son of Sayyid Abd al Sayyid, son of Sayyid Abd al Rasul, son of Sayyid Qalandar, son of Sayyid Abd al Sayyid, son of Sayyid Isa al Ahdeb, son of Sayyid Husayn, son of Sayyid Ba Yazid, son of Sayyid Abd al Karim al Awwal, son of Sayyid Isa al Barzanji, son of Sayyid Baba Ali al Hamadani, son of Sayyid Yusuf al Hamadani, son of Sayyid Muhammad al Mansur, son of Sayyid Abd al Aziz, son of Sayyid Abd Allah, son of Sayyid Ismail al Muhaddith, son of Imam Musa al Kazim, son of Imam Jafar al Sadiq, son of Imam Muhammad al Baqir, son of Imam Ali Zayn al Abidin, son of Imam al Husayn, son of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib (may God honor his face) and Lady Fatima al Zahra (peace be upon her), the daughter of the Beloved Chosen One.
Title
His honorary title, Shah al Kasnazan, means “Sultan of the Unseen.”
Birth
He was born in 1235 AH (1819 CE) in the village of Kasnazan, located in the Qaradagh district of Sulaymaniyah Province, in present-day Iraq.
Spiritual Path
He followed the exalted Qadiri Sufi order, which he received through initiation from his maternal uncle, Sayyid Sheikh Abd al Qadir Qazan Qayah. The order later became known as al Kasnazaniyyah in reference to him.
Early Spiritual Discipline
From a young age, signs of his asceticism and devotion became evident. He secluded himself in a retreat on Mount Sirkirma, completely hidden from the sight of people, for four years. During this time, he sustained himself on plant leaves and pure clay. His days were spent in remembrance of God, and his nights in prayer, standing, bowing, and prostrating, his heart trembling in awe before his Lord.
The secret of his seclusion was later unveiled when his brother received a vision revealing his location. Upon finding him, his brother asked how he had survived. The Sheikh gave him a piece of red clay mixed with tree leaves and gestured for him to eat. Upon tasting it, his brother experienced an extraordinary sweetness and remained without hunger for two weeks.
Examples of His Miracles
During a severe drought, when people were suffering from hunger, the Sheikh went with his nephew to a nearby village to purchase barley. His nephew said:
“Uncle, you are one of the great saints of your time. Why not ask God to enrich us during this year of famine?”
The Sheikh struck a large rock with his staff, and it split open to reveal gold coins. When his nephew expressed joy, the Sheikh struck the rock again and the gold disappeared. He then said:
“My son, a measure of barley is enough for us; gold is for those who seek it.”
While visiting Barzinjah to pay respects at the shrines of his ancestors, a scholar present thought to himself: How can this man be a Sheikh without a beard?
After the visit, the Sheikh turned to him and said:
“Mulla, a beard is not the essence of worship; true worship lies in sincerity to God, righteous deeds, piety, and striving in His cause.”
A devoted dervish once asked to see the Messenger of God in a dream. The Sheikh replied:
“Reaching the presence of the Chosen One is not easy.”
He then took him to a mountain cave filled with gold and said:
“You are poor; take this and improve your life.”
The dervish refused, saying: “I have spent twenty years in Sufism and self-discipline; I will not trade the Hereafter for the world.”
The Sheikh replied: “You have passed the test. Sleep here tonight and you will be honored with the presence of the Master of Creation.”
That night, the dervish saw the Prophet in his dream, who said:
“Come closer. My son Karim has chosen you to visit me.”
Passing
Sheikh Abd al Karim al Kasnazan (may God sanctify his secret) passed away in 1317 AH (1899 CE). His blessed tomb is located in Karbejnah, northern Iraq.
Source: Muhammad al Kasnazan, al Tariqah al Qadiriyyah al Kasnazaniyyah, p. 341.
