“Naqshbandia ajab qafila sa laaranand, ke barandaaz rahe panhaan baharam qaafila raa.”
“The Naqshbandiya lead an extraordinary caravan,
for they take their students to the Haram via a secret, hidden route.”
Mawlana Jaami (RA)
Historically speaking, the Naqshbandi tariqat can be traced back to the first of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, who succeeds the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam in his knowledge and in his role of guiding the Muslim community. Allah said in the Holy Qur’an “He was the second of two in the cave, and he said to his friend: ‘do not be sad, for God is with us’” [9:40]. Of him the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “If I had taken to myself a beloved friend, I would have taken Abu Bakr as my beloved friend; but he is my brother and my companion.”
What distinguishes the Naqshbandi school from other Sufi orders was the fact that it took its foundations and principles from the teachings and example of six bright stars in the firmament of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam. These great figures were: Abu Bakr as-Siddiq, Salman al-Farisi, Jafar as-Sadiq, Bayazid Tayfur al-Bistami, Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawani, and Muhammad Baha’uddin Uwaysi al-Bukhari, known as Shah Naqshband–the eponymous Imam of the tariqat – May Allah be pleased with them.
Behind the word “Naqshband” stand two ideas: naqsh which means “engraving” and suggests engraving the name of Allah in the heart, and band which means “bond” and indicates the link between the individual and his Creator. This means that the Naqshbandi follower has to practice his prayers and obligations according to the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and to keep the presence and love of Allah alive in his heart through a personal experience of the link between himself and his Lord.
A Summary of the Naqshbandi Chain Over History
For informational purposes one should note that:
From the time of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq RA to the time of Hadhrat Bayazid Bustami RA this chain was known as as-Siddiqia.
From Hazrat Bayazid RA to the time of Syedina Abdul Khaliq Khajdwani RA it was called at-Tayfuria.
From the time of Syedina Abdul Khaliq RA to the time of Hazrat Syedina Shah Bahauddin Naqshband RA it was called the Khwajagaania.
From the time of Syedina Shah Naqshband RA till now it is known as Naqshbandia.
The Naqshbandi Order pays close attention to observing the Sunnah and conforming to the Shariah and lays a special emphasis on Silent Zikr, Meditation and Companionship of one’s Shaykh.
