Uwaisi
Encyclopedia
Uwaisyaan refers to those Sufis
who have gained the spiritual chain from another Sufi without physically meeting them in this world. Usually "Uwaisyan" are known as a school in Tasawwuf, and the word Uwaisi is its singular form.
The term Uwaisi is derived from the name of Uwais al-Qarani
, who never met the Islamic prophet Muhammad
physically, yet was fully aware of his spiritual presence at all times of his life.
It is stated in Classical Islam and the Naqshandi Sufi Tradition, by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
that:
"The sign of the Favor of Allah Almighty and Exalted on his servant is to authorize one of His saints to uplift that servant to the Divine Presence. That is why many saints who came in previous times were guides for those who came after through this spiritual (Uwaisi) connection. It is known that many saints have been under the guidance and training of prophets and other saints that lifted them up."
's Department of Religion, a Sufi Order or tariqa
known as the Uwaysi is "very active", having been introduced in the West by the 20th century Sufi, Shah Maghsoud Angha. The Uwaysi Order is a Shi'i branch of the Kubrawiya
. Dr. Godlas writes that there are two recent and distinct contemporary branches of the Uwaysi Order in the West:
Dr. Angha and Dr. Kianfar went on to found another organization, the International Association of Sufism
which operates in California and organizes international Sufi symposia.
Sufism
Sufism or ' is defined by its adherents as the inner, mystical dimension of Islam. A practitioner of this tradition is generally known as a '...
who have gained the spiritual chain from another Sufi without physically meeting them in this world. Usually "Uwaisyan" are known as a school in Tasawwuf, and the word Uwaisi is its singular form.
Background
In the science of spirituality of Islam (Tasawwuf) the Uwaisi Transmission occurs when the spirits of righteous believers (saliheen, awliya) meet in the world called `alam al-arwaah (the world of spirits) which is beyond `alam al-ajsam (the material plane). Whoever takes knowledge through spirituality from a deceased master in `alam al-arwaah is called Uwaisi. This means of transmission is considered as powerful and effective as the physical relation of master and disciple.The term Uwaisi is derived from the name of Uwais al-Qarani
Uwais al-Qarni
Uwais Qarni, known also as Saint Uwais Qarni was a Muslim mystic, martyr and philosopher of Yemen who lived during the lifetime of Muhammad, but never met Muhammad personally. As reported by the renowned historical scholar Ibn Battuta, Uwais' tomb is found in Ar-Raqqah, Syria, where he was killed...
, who never met the Islamic prophet Muhammad
Muhammad
Muhammad |ligature]] at U+FDF4 ;Arabic pronunciation varies regionally; the first vowel ranges from ~~; the second and the last vowel: ~~~. There are dialects which have no stress. In Egypt, it is pronounced not in religious contexts...
physically, yet was fully aware of his spiritual presence at all times of his life.
It is stated in Classical Islam and the Naqshandi Sufi Tradition, by Shaykh Hisham Kabbani
Hisham Kabbani
Muhammad Hisham Kabbani is a prominent Lebanese-American Sufi Muslim. Kabbani advocates an understanding of Islam described by his supporters as fundamentally based on peace, tolerance, respect and love. Kabbani has been an outspoken critic of extremism as well as the Wahabi doctrine...
that:
"The sign of the Favor of Allah Almighty and Exalted on his servant is to authorize one of His saints to uplift that servant to the Divine Presence. That is why many saints who came in previous times were guides for those who came after through this spiritual (Uwaisi) connection. It is known that many saints have been under the guidance and training of prophets and other saints that lifted them up."
Contemporary Western orders
According to Dr. Alan Godlas of the University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
's Department of Religion, a Sufi Order or tariqa
Tariqah
A tariqa is an Islamic religious order. In Sufism one starts with Islamic law, the exoteric or mundane practice of Islam and then is initiated onto the mystical path of a tariqa. Through spiritual practices and guidance of a tariqa the aspirant seeks ḥaqīqah - ultimate truth.-Meaning:A tariqa is a...
known as the Uwaysi is "very active", having been introduced in the West by the 20th century Sufi, Shah Maghsoud Angha. The Uwaysi Order is a Shi'i branch of the Kubrawiya
Kubrawiya
The Kubrawiya order is a Sufi order named after its 13th century founder Najmuddin Kubra. One of the branches, the Nurbakhshi Kubrawi lineage, embraced Shi'a Islam and is named after Muhammad Nurbakhsh. The largest existing branch of the Kubrawiya order today is the Uwaisi Shahmaghsoudi...
. Dr. Godlas writes that there are two recent and distinct contemporary branches of the Uwaysi Order in the West:
- The Maktab Tarighat Oveyssi Shahmaghsoudi Sufi Order, headed by Salaheddin Ali Nader Shah Angha, the son of Shah Maghsoud Sadeqh Angha
- Uwaiysi Tarighat, led by Shah Maghsoud's daughter, Nahid Angha, and her husband Shah Nazar Seyed Ali Kianfar.
Dr. Angha and Dr. Kianfar went on to found another organization, the International Association of Sufism
International Association of Sufism
International Association of Sufism is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that brings together scholars, educators, translators, and artists interested in the discipline of Sufism...
which operates in California and organizes international Sufi symposia.
People named Uwaisi
"Uwaisi" is also a name for people who claim to have been initiated through the Uwaisi method, or for those who claim to be descendants of Uwais al-Qarni. Among the most famous is the Owaisi family of Hyderabad, India, one of the most prominent political Muslim families of the city, including:- Sultan Salahuddin OwaisiSultan Salahuddin OwaisiSultan Salahuddin Owaisi was an Indian politician from the city of Hyderabad. He served as the Member of Parliament from Hyderabad for six consecutive terms until stepping down in 2004 in favour of his elder son Asaduddin Owaisi...
- Asaduddin OwaisiAsaduddin OwaisiAsaduddin Owaisi is a Barrister, Indian politician and President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen Since 2008...
See also
- Abu Muhammad Ja'far Hazza
- Habib Ibn Salim Ra'ee
- International Association of SufismInternational Association of SufismInternational Association of Sufism is a nonprofit, non-governmental organization that brings together scholars, educators, translators, and artists interested in the discipline of Sufism...
- Naqshbandia Owaisia
- Uwais al-QarniUwais al-QarniUwais Qarni, known also as Saint Uwais Qarni was a Muslim mystic, martyr and philosopher of Yemen who lived during the lifetime of Muhammad, but never met Muhammad personally. As reported by the renowned historical scholar Ibn Battuta, Uwais' tomb is found in Ar-Raqqah, Syria, where he was killed...