Praise be to God, and may the most perfect and complete prayers and peace be upon his beloved and chosen one, the description and revelation, the message and wisdom, and upon his family and companions and those who follow him.
Now, Sayyid Sheikh Muhammad al-Kisanzani al-Husayni (may God sanctify his secret) is the Sheikh of the noble Qadiriyyah al-Kisanzani order in the world.
Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan Hosseini, (God bless him) He is the Sheikh (head) of the Tariqat Alia Qadiriya Kasnazani (the Qadiriya Kasnazani’s great path) in the world. He is one of the flag bearers of Iraq and the Islamic world and a great thinker and scientist. Not only because he is a sheikh of a Sufi sect, but also because of his merits, he is ready to advance in religious, political, social, and scientific fields. Mr. Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazani is from the Hosseini Hashemi family, which is a branch of the holy family tree of the prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), whose roots are strong and whose branches are in the sky.
He is Sayyed Sheikh Sultan Khalifa Mohammad al-Mohammad, son of Seyyed Abdulkarim, son of Seyyed Abdulqadir, son of Sayyed Abdulkarim Shah Kasnazan, son of Sayyed Hossein, son of Sayyed Hasan, son of Sayed Abdulkarim, son of Sayyed Ismail Al-Woliani, son of Sayyed Mohammad al-Noudhi, son of Sayyed Baba Ali al-Nodrina, son of Sayyed Baba Rasool Kabir, son of Sayyed Abdul Sayed II. Seyyed Abdul Rasool, son of Seyed Qalandar, son of Sayyed Abdul Sayyed, son of Sayyed Isa Al-Ahdab, son of Sayyed Hossein, son of Sayyed Bayazid, son of Sayyed Abdulkarim I, son of Sayyed Isa al-Barzanji, son of Sayyed Baba Ali Hamadani, son of Sayyed Yousef Hamadani, son of Sayyed Mohammad Mansour, son of Sayyed Abdul Aziz, son of Sayyed Abdullah, son of Sayyed Ismail Al-Muhaddith, the son of Imam Musa Kazim, the son of Imam Jafar Sadiq, the son of Imam Mohammad Baqir, the son of Imam Ali Zain Al-Abedin, the son of Imam Hussein, the son of Imam Ali Ibn Abi Talib ( God grant him peace) and Fatima Zahra, the lady of the worldly women (peace be upon him), the daughter of the Messenger of God and the seal of the prophets, Mohammad Mustafa (peace be upon him). The title of Kasnazan, which was applied to the family of Sayyyed Sheikh (God bless him), is a title that was given to their ancestor, the righteous, pious and ascetic Sayyed Abdulkarim I (God bless him). The word (Kasnazan) is a Kurdish word and it means a person whose true identity no one knows The reason for giving this title to him is that he was separated from the people for four years and he was alone with his Lord in one of the mountains Qaradagh and benefited from his closeness and became familiar with his worship ,and when one of the people was asked about the Sheikh, he said: kas nazan (That means no one knows). This word was used as a nickname for Sayyed Sheikh and then for his children and descendants, as well as this nickname was given in the language of the people as a flag and sign to the Tariqat Aliia Qadiriyeh Kasanzani, which was accepted by the Sheikh and his children and descendants. The name Kasnazan is a family name and the name of a religion and has an idiomatic meaning. The name of the clan to which the family of Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad (God bless him) belongs is Sadat Barzanji clan. The great ancestor of this clan, Sheikh Isa Al-Barzanji, was the first person who lived in Barzanjeh in northern Iraq. God bless his children in terms of number and reputation in this world and the hereafter. Today, Sadat Barzanji is the largest Sadat tribe in northern Iraq.
birth and upbringing
Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan Hosseini, (God bless him) was born at dawn on Friday in Kirbchna village of Sangaw in Kirkuk province in northern Iraq on the 14th month of Safar (1358 AH) corresponding to the 15th of April (1938 AD). Since the village of Kirbchna is the birthplace of the Sheikh of the Kasnazani order, the sheikh followed the path and tariqat of his father Sayyed Sheikh Abdulkarim Kasnazan (God bless him) from his early years, who was also in charge of the position of Sheikh on behalf of his elder brother, Sheik Sayyed Hasan Kasanzan (God bless him). Sayyed Sheikh Hossein Kasnazan (God bless him) has been and still is nicknamed Sultan. Sultan Hussain (God bless him) is the one who named the newborn Sheikh Abdulkarim, Mohammad and gave the good news and said: He would be the guardian of his time and would be in the Tariqat with extensive spiritual authority and dignity. The sheikh (God bless him) grew up in this spiritual atmosphere, in this peace and among the great saints whom he saw only bowing, prostrating, glorifying, thinking and pondering. Sultan Hussain (may God be pleased with him) was also one of the tribal leaders, despite the influential national positions they held in all fields. He and other sheikhs and well-known tribes led by Sayyed Sheikh Mahmoud Al-Hafid resisted the British during the occupation of Iraq. Sultan Hossein (God bless him) led the Kirbchna War with the British, which later resulted in the war Darband Bazyan. In that war, the British were defeated and the commander of the army, Captain Mar, was captured. In these battles, Sultan Hussain (God bless him) acted like a hero, although this issue was not new at that time, because Sultan Hussain was the eldest son of Sheikh Abdul Qadir (God bless him). Sheikh Abdul Qadir, a devotee, ascetic, hero, and mujahid, was the one who led the anti-Russian battles on the border of Iran in the Bana region and participated in the Battle of Maidan along with the heads of the Kurdish tribes and Sadat Barzanji. And as for the Sheikh’s father, Sheikh Abdulkarim (God bless him), the one who took over the leadership of the sheikhs of the Tariqat, he was one of the great religious and social figures, who increased the number of disciples, and the horizon of guidance, education, and conduct became wider. Our sheik (God bless him) grew up in this atmosphere full of spirituality, morals, and ideals. He drank a blessed drink from this pure spring so that he was raised in virtue.
education
Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) inherited the Tariqat and the sciences of Sufism from his father with a large encyclopedia. He had an intellectual and spiritual power that was perfected in cultivation. He learned Islamic and Arabic sciences from the great scholars of his time and Egyptian jurists in his grandfather’s school (Kirbchna). She studied Arabic and Islamic sciences with the greatest scholars, including Mullah Kaka Hama Saifuddin, Mullah Ali Mustafa, nicknamed Ali Lilan, and Mullah Abdullah Aziz Kirbchnani. Sheikh (God bless him) was not satisfied with that, but by studying a lot, he developed this store of knowledge, which is considered his main concern. Sheikh has a rare scientific library containing thousands of books and manuscripts which he collected with difficulty. For seventeen years, he constantly browsed the house of manuscripts, the public endowment library, and the library of Qadiriyeh Sharifah, and entered the library at the beginning of the official time and did not leave the library except at the end of it. Therefore, his knowledge of Sufi and his spiritual powers, in addition to being a divine grace, Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) did many years of Sacrifices and training. Regarding the Sufism sciences, he studied and researched with commitment. The biggest proof of this is what is included in his great success (Kasnazan Encyclopaedia as the people of Sufism and mysticism agree on it), which is considered unique.
Taking over the post of sheikh
According to the people of Tariqat, becoming a sheikh is done by the selection and appointment of the Almighty God and Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), and whoever is chosen for this holy mission will always be desired and favored by God. Then every light that falls will fall on him. Therefore, whatever help the Sheik wants, ( Because of his merit and fulfilling his duties in guiding people to the path of truth and faith, calling to God Almighty with wisdom and good sermons, spreading goodness, light and peace among people and carrying out the missions of enjoining good and forbidding evil and the tasks of spiritual education for Followers and subordinates.) it will be given to him by the Lord. The situation with Sheikh (God bless him) was like this; In the last pilgrimage, when Hazrat Sayyed Sheikh Abdulkarim Kasnazan (God bless him) visited the shrines of the sheikhs in the village of Kirbchna, Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad (God bless him) was with him, and in that meeting, a large number of caliphs, dervishes, companions and Disciples were present. After Sheikh Abdulkarim (may God have mercy on him) finished the rituals of pilgrimage, he sat down with signs of happiness on his generous face and said: O my dervish children, from today Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad will be your Sheikh, and this is the matter of our teachers, whoever obeys him has obeyed us, and whoever deviates from his command has deviated from our command. Then he looked at the shrines of the sheikhs and said: I will say goodbye to you now and this will be our last meeting. He (his son Sheikh Mohammad) is your representative that you trusted him and accepted his representation. This event marked the transfer of the position of Sheikh Tariqat from Sheikh Abdulkarim (God bless him) to Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him). As the sheikh had informed, this was his last visit to his ancestors. He passed away in the year (1398 AH) corresponding to (1978 AD) shortly after his last pilgrimage. His death was narrated by Sheikh Mohammad Omar Qaradaghi (God have mercy on him), the head of Sulaymaniyah Ulama in his obituary and said:
Your death is sad for Abdulkarim Your history is eternal in heaven
The death of Sheikh (may God bless him and grant him peace) was a tragedy for his loved ones, caliphs, disciples, and all Muslims because he had a personality that could show the character of leadership in the spiritual and physical dimensions. Scholars, poets, and writers rushed to lament and praise his successors, and his son Sayyed Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (may Allah be pleased with him) took his place. We select verses from a poem in the obituary of Sheikh Abdulkarim (may his soul rest in peace) that Sheikh Allamah Abdulmajeed Qutb (may God bless him and grant him peace) is one of the standard-bearers of Iraqi scholars and the head of Kirkuk scholars, in praise of Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) wrote:
He disappeared from the Loyalty Master’s sight
Guidance from the Mustafa family
All that Sadat, All of them achieved honor and a high position of honor
Sheikh passed away and left great pain and regret in our hearts
Yes, the Sheik left
But, he left a lion boy and then left
Sheikh left and left a gem behind him that only gemologists know him
A sheikh who leaves behind a son to follow his father’s example is not dead
In this way, Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) accepted the position of his father Sheik Abdulkarim (God bless him) after his death and took over the affairs of guidance and guidance. Caliphs and dervishes pledged allegiance to him as a teacher and spiritual father in the year (1398 AH) corresponding to (1978 AD). The fame and reputation of Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) spread from the very early years when he attained the position of Sheikh. Sheikh’s sincerity and honesty, along with his charming family personality and his patience in calling to God Almighty, caused a huge number of students of religious sciences and others such as doctors, engineers and specialists in all kinds of sciences to be attracted to him. Kasnazani Tariqat has spread all over Iraq so that you can hardly find a city or a village where Sheik Mohammad Kasnazani (may God bless him and grant him peace) does not have a Tekyeh and is not visited by his disciples. Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him) has many virtues and clear revelations, but he is not pleased to mention them and does not allow anyone to talk about them. He warns the disciples against relying on discovery and dignity and considers Sufism to have two characteristics: perseverance and stillness. He states that the greatest virtue is perseverance in the law of God Almighty.
the solitudes
Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Kasnazan (God bless him and grant him peace) had many retreats during his father’s lifetime. His first solitude (Itikaf) was six months after taking over the duties of Tariqat, which was on the 20th of Sha’ban of the year 1398 AH corresponding to 1978 AD. He was accompanied by several dervishes and caliphs, each of whom, after learning the system and manners of seclusion from their master, sat in his seclusion with pure intention following the speech of the Sheik (God bless him) before entering it. In 1399 A.H. according to 1979 AD, he entered his second solitude and twice the number of dervishes who entered with him in the first retreat joined him. The system of solitude was fully applied to them and each of those people left the solitude with their share.
Scientific and mystical achievements
He has many Sufi books, some of which he published:
Merciful lights in Qadiriya Kasenzani’s tariqat
Cleansing the Mind quoted by Sheik Abdulqadir
Great Tariqat of Qadiriya Kasenzani
Kasnazan encyclopedia in what the people of Sufism and mystics agree on
He has several other books and letters under the title of print, including:
Dignity in a new stage
Kasnazan and humans
Sufism… the first law of heaven
Dua is the principle of worship
Long hair in Islam
Rosary in Islam
The Solitude of Islam
The Tekyehs are the houses of God
The birth of the Prophet and its importance in the modern era
Allegiance and covenant with Sofia
Other scientific achievements
His Scientific and Sufi Achievements:
In the field of research, writing, and Sufi publications, he has numerous works, including:
1. “The Rahmani Lights in the Exalted Qadiri Kasnazan Way.”
2. Publishing the book: “Clarification of the Heart from the Words of Sheikh Abdul Qadir.”
3. “The Exalted Qadiri Kasnazan Way.”
4. “The Kasnazan Encyclopedia on the Terminologies of the People of Sufism and Gnosis.”
He, may God sanctify his secret, has other books and treatises under publication, including:
• “Miracles in a New Phase.”
• “Kasnazan and Humanity.”
• “Sufism… The First Law of Heaven.”
• “Supplication: The Essence of Worship.”
• “Growing Hair in Islam.”
• “The Rosary in Islam.”
• “Retreat in Islam.”
• “Tekkes: The Houses of God.”
• “The Prophet’s Birthday and Its Importance in the Modern Era.”
• “The Allegiance and the Covenant among Sufis.”
Other Scientific Achievements:
Modern teaching methods sometimes appear as mere texts devoid of their literary and moral substance. When this happens, knowledge loses its splendor, beauty, and impact. If knowledge is separated from literature, no matter the intellectual wealth, there will be a severe deficiency in the influence of knowledge on morals, behavior, the refinement of souls, and the righteousness of hearts. There is no benefit in knowledge that does not cultivate etiquette and morality.
From this, the relationship between science and Sufism seems almost a fixed reality in Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan’s essence and the core of his Sufi path. There is no visible separation or distance between scientific research and Sufi experience with him, as if he balances them with his noble hands without favoring one over the other. This is clearly evident in all the achievements that Sheikh, may God sanctify his secret, presents or seeks to present, such as:
• Establishing (Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan University College), which includes, alongside the departments of Sharia sciences, Sufism, and interfaith dialogue, other departments in economics, politics, law, language, computer sciences, and applied mathematics. This achievement shows the extent of Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan’s interaction with the demands of his time and his engagement with modern methods suitable for it. This college serves as a nucleus for a larger university with branches in all civilized countries of the world, as Sheikh, may God sanctify his secret, hopes.
• His achievement of a pioneering Islamic calendar, which we hope will be accepted and spread due to its precise scientific calculations based on astronomy. This calendar is called (The Muhammadi Calendar), which dates events in relation to the birth of the Prophet, peace be upon him, as a perpetual commemoration of his glorious appearance. It not only honors and venerates the Prophet but also offers significant benefits to Islamic history scholars, as it dates events in relation to the true beginning of Islamic history. It provides an ideal solution to many challenges in studying this history. This blessed calendar does not cancel the Hijri calendar but rather extends it.
• Establishing (The Central Council for Sufi Orders in Iraq) at a time when signs of disunity in Iraq were emerging, and the unity of Muslims was being fragmented. This council came to unite the words of the Sufis in Iraq, to fulfill their duties towards their Lord, religion, and nation in the best possible manner. This council also aims to open channels of dialogue and acquaintance with other Sufi gatherings, councils, orders, and individuals worldwide to fulfill the same duty towards the global community. It aims to unite against anyone who tries to violate the sanctity of Muslim shrines, especially those of the Sufis.
Sheikh Muhammad Kasnazan, may God sanctify his secret, aspires for this council to resonate in the hearts and minds of Sufis worldwide, so they may come together to form a global central council for Islamic Sufism, with main branches in all countries of the world, to fulfill their essential roles as spiritual preachers in response to global changes in the most complete and honorable manner, carrying the banner of goodness, peace, and love among the peoples of the world.
• The website of Islamic Sufism (www.islamic-sufism.com) is a modern window through which the attention of Sayyid Sheikh Muhammad al-Kasnazani, may God sanctify his secret, is directed toward the world in a contemporary and unprecedented Sufi style. It reflects the bright and open aspects of Islamic Sufism to others. In this website, the most up-to-date electronic programs and the most beautiful designs were considered, while maintaining the element of authenticity. From a technical perspective, and from an intellectual perspective, the website has adopted a comprehensive approach and a civilized language of dialogue as a fundamental step in this era to bridge the gap and bring closer the distance with others. The website has opened its doors to all contributions, opinions, and acquaintance among all Sufis, despite the differences in their orders and the diversity of their schools. It has also opened its doors to all Islamic thinkers who aim to elevate Islamic thought to the level of civilization it should be in, through publication, commentary, and the exchange of ideas and visions. It is hoped that the website will open its doors to the major languages of the world and welcome research, studies, and articles that deepen and strengthen the intellectual, cultural, and scientific relationship between Muslims and others.
• The website of the Al-Qadiriyya Al-Kasnazaniyya Order is a specialized website in the methodology, style, and principles of the Al-Qadiriyya Al-Kasnazaniyya Order. It serves as its voice to the world, and as an expression of its essence and content.
• The establishment of the “World Center for Sufism and Spiritual Studies” was directed by Sayyid Sheikh Muhammad al-Kasnazani, may God sanctify his secret, in the year 1415 AH (1994 CE). This center specializes in researching cases of immediate healing related to the supernatural miracles and wonders of the order, which prove the existence of the divine essence, comparing these miracles to parapsychological phenomena and proving the failure of the latter in the face of the miracles of the order. Additionally, other studies are conducted in this center by specialized researchers.
Sheikh Dr. Shams al-Din Muhammad Nahro al-Kasnazani al-Hasani, the eldest son of the Sheikh of the order.
Footnotes:
1. Qaradagh: Meaning the “Black Mountain,” it is an area located on the outskirts of Sulaymaniyah.
2. Darband Bazian: A mountainous region with dense forests located between Sulaymaniyah province and Kirkuk province.
3. Battle of Maydan: Named after the Maydan area, located in northeastern Iraq near the Iraqi-Iranian border.
4. For insights into the benefits of this calendar in studying Islamic history, one can refer to the dedicated study on this matter.
