SUHRAWARDIYAH

Muslim order of mystics (Sufis) noted for the severity of its spiritual discipline, founded in Baghdad by Abu Najib as-Suhrawardi and developed by his nephew 'Umar as-Suhrawardi. The order's ritual prayers (dhikr) are based upon thousands of repetitions of seven names of God, identified with seven subtle spirits (lata'if sab'ah) which in turn correspond to seven lights. The main order became concentrated in Afghanistan and the Indian subcontinent, while other branches moved westward. The orthodox Khalwatiyah, also strictly disciplined, was founded in Iran by 'Umar al-Khalwati, then spread into Turkey and Egypt in many branches. The Safawiyah, organized by Safi od-Din, at Ardabil, Iran, gave rise to the Iranian Safavid dynasty (15021736) and several Turkish branches active against the Ottomans early in the 16th century. The Algerian Rahmaniyah grew out of the Khalwatiyah in the second half of the 18th century, when 'Abd ar-Rahman al-Ghushtuli, the founder, made himself the centre of Khalwati devotion.