In the footsteps of the saints: Sayed Muhammad Tanveer Hashmi led a group ziyarat across Iraq — Baghdad, Basra, Samarra and Madayeen — visiting the resting places of the masters whose chains (Qadiri, Shuttari, Suhrawardi, Rifa’i) feed the Academy’s own silsila. This is the complete illustrated guide: each ziyarat, the group photographs, and the story of each shrine.
Baghdad I — Ghous-e-Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani
The tour began in Baghdad at the dargah of Sayyid Abdul Qadir Jilani (d. 561 AH), known across the Sunni world as Ghous-e-Azam — the beloved master whose Qadiri silsila flows through the Academy’s own Qadri-Shuttari chain. The group spent time inside the shrine, under its decorated ceilings, in recitation and dua.
Baghdad II — Junayd al-Baghdadi & Sari Saqti
From there to the resting places of Imam Junayd al-Baghdadi (d. 298 AH) — Sayyid al-Taifa, the master whose sober Tasawwuf shaped Sunni Sufism — and his uncle and master Sari al-Saqti. The group photographed together outside the two adjoining shrines.
Baghdad III — Bishr al-Hafi, Maroof Karkhi & Bahlol Dana
The Baghdad circuit continued to Bishr al-Hafi, the barefoot ascetic whose repentance is among the most retold stories of the city; to Maroof Karkhi, at whose makam the group made dua; and to Bahlol Dana, the wise majdhub of Harun al-Rashid’s Baghdad.
Baghdad IV — Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal
The group then visited the shrine of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (d. 241 AH) — imam of Hadith, compiler of the Musnad, and eponym of the Hanbali school — for dua at his resting place.
Baghdad V — Habib al-Ajami & Suhrawardi Masters
Also in Baghdad: Habib al-Ajami, the disciple of Hasan Basri whose transformation from moneylender to saint is a staple of Sufi telling; and the Suhrawardi masters of the city, in whose order countless Indian khanqahs — including Shattari-linked lodges — trace fellowship.
Basra I — Rabia Basri (Bibi Kalandar)
The tour travelled south to Basra, city of the earliest ascetics, to the shrine of Rabia al-Adawiyya (d. 185 AH) — Bibi Kalandar — the saint of selfless divine love whose prayers are recited across the Muslim world.
Basra II — Hasan Basri & the Sahaba
In Basra the group also visited the astana of Hasan al-Basri (d. 110 AH) — the great Tabi’i, preacher and ascetic, forefather of both learning and Tasawwuf in Iraq — and the tomb of a Companion of the Prophet in the city.
Samarra, Madayeen & the Rifa’i Astana
The journey extended to Samarra, to the haram of Imam Ali al-Jawad; to Madayeen (Ctesiphon), ancient Sassanid capital and early Islamic garrison city; and to the Iraqi astana of Sayyid Ahmed al-Rifai (d. 578 AH), founder of the Rifa’i order.
The Series: Shrine by Shrine
- Ghous-e-Azam Abdul Qadir Jilani
- Junayd al-Baghdadi & Sari Saqti
- Bishr al-Hafi, Maroof Karkhi & Bahlol Dana
- Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal
- Rabia Basri in Basra
- Hasan Basri & Habib Ajmi
- Suhrawardi & Rifa’i Masters
- Samarra, Madayeen & the Sahabi of Basra
Why the Academy Teaches These Lives
The Qadri-Shuttari silsila honoured at Al Hashmi Academy passes through Baghdad — through Junayd, Sari Saqti, Abdul Qadir Jilani — and through Gujarat and Gwalior to Bijapur. Walking these shrines is walking the syllabus: see the Golden Chain, the life of Sheikh Wajihuddin, and the Research Centre that studies them.
To join a future ziyarat or request the tour itinerary, write to info@alhashmi.org or call +91 97317 17703.
Earlier Tours
