Baha' ad-Din an-Naqshbandi

Baha' ad-Din Muhammad ibn Muhammad al-Bukhari an-Naqshbandi (718-791 AH / 1318-1389 CE) was a Central Asian scholar and spiritual master who founded the Naqshbandi Sufi order, which became one of the most widespread and influential Sufi brotherhoods in the Muslim world. Born in the village of Qasr al-Arifan near Bukhara in present-day Uzbekistan, he received spiritual training from several masters in the Khwajagan lineage and was deeply influenced by the legacy of Abd al-Khaliq al-Ghujdawani.

An-Naqshbandi's spiritual methodology is characterized by several distinctive principles. He emphasized silent dhikr (remembrance of Allah in the heart without moving the lips), strict adherence to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad, sobriety rather than ecstasy in spiritual practice, and active engagement with society rather than withdrawal from it. His approach rejected the use of music and dance (sama) that characterized some other Sufi orders, insisting instead on quiet contemplation and constant awareness of the Divine Presence (muraqabah). His eight principles of spiritual practice became the foundational teachings of the order.

An-Naqshbandi did not leave written works; his teachings were transmitted through his students and later compiled by disciples. The Naqshbandi order spread rapidly through Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Ottoman Empire, the Caucasus, Southeast Asia, and beyond. It played significant political and social roles in many Muslim societies and was known for emphasizing Islamic orthodoxy. He died in Qasr al-Arifan in 791 AH (1389 CE) and his tomb near Bukhara remains an important site. The Naqshbandi order continues to be one of the most active Sufi brotherhoods worldwide.