The different Sufi orders or brotherhoods (Tariqas) represent the two major streams of Sufism: the path of passionate love (mysticism of love) and the path of discernment and lucidity (mysticism of emptiness).
- The Qadiriya, founded by Abd al-Qadir (1078-1166). Its principal work: al-Ghunya.
- The Suhrawardiya, founded by Shihab al-din Suhrawardi (1144-1234). Its principal work: Awārif al-Ma’ārif.
- The Rifaiya, founded by Ahmed ar-Rifai (1106-1182).
- The Kubrawiya, founded by Najm al-din Kubra (1145-1221). One of its notable members was the poet Rumi.
- The Shadhiliya, founded by Abu’l Hassan ash-Shadhili (1196-1258). One of its notable members was Ibn Arabi. Branches of this order include Madaniya, Isawiya, Darqawiya, and Alawiya.
- The Mawlawiya, founded by Jalal al-din Rumi (1207-1273). Their distinctive practice is the “cosmic dance,” which earned them the name “whirling dervishes.”
- The Naqshbandiya, named after Bahauddin Naqshband (1340-1413), traces its origins back to the 12th century when the order was created under the influence of al-Hamadani (1084-1140) and primarily Abd al-Khaliq Ghujdawani (died in 1220).
- The Khalwatiya, founded by al-Khalwati (died in 1397).
- The Chishtiyya, developed in Pakistan, India, and Malaysia.
- The Rahmaniya, founded around 1750 by Sheikh Kabir, popular in the early 20th century.
- The Darqawiya, founded by Abu Hamid al-Darqawi (1760-1823), a branch of the Shadhiliya.
- The Idrisiya, founded by Ibn Idris (1760-1837). From this order emerged the Sanusiya, founded in 1840 by As-Sanusi. Both are affiliated with the Qadiriya.
- The Alawiya, founded more recently by the Algerian Sheikh Al-Alawi, considered a branch of the Shadhiliya.
Source: Shiva Shambho
External Links: Tariqa / Sufi orders / List of Sufi orders
Qadiriyya / Suhrawardiyya / Rifaʽi / Kubrawiya / Shadhili / Mevlevi Order / Naqshbandi / Khalwati order / Chishti Order / Rahmaniyya / Darqawiyya / Idrisiyya / Alawiya