Ni'matullāhī

The Ni'matullāhī or Ne'matollāhī (Persian: نعمت‌اللهی) (also spelled as "Nimatollahi", "Nematollahi" or "Ni'matallahi) is a Sufi order (or tariqa) originating in Iran. According to Moojan Momen, the number of Ni'matullāhī in Iran in 1980 was estimated to be between 50,000 and 350,000.^[1] Following the emigration of Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh and other dervishes after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the tariqa has attracted numerous followers outside Iran, mostly in Europe, West Africa and North America.

History

The order is named after its 14th century CE founder Shah Nimatullah (Nur ad-Din Ni'matullah Wali), who settled in and is buried in Mahan, Kerman Province, Iran, where his tomb is still an important pilgrimage site. Shah Ni'matallahi was a disciple of the Qadiri sufi 'Abdallah Yafi'i: a chain of succession of masters (silsilah) has been claimed that extends back to Maruf Karkhi.^{[citation needed]} Originally a Sunni order, the Ni'matullahi became Shia in the 16th century C.E. with the general conversion of Iran. The order has four main sub-orders;

• The Khaniqahi Ni'matullahi or Dhu'r-riyasateyn (Munis 'Ali Shah) Ni'matullahiya, known in the West due to its former shaykh, Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh.

• The Safialishahi, named after Sheikh Safi 'Ali Shah Isfahani (d. 1316AH/1899C.E.).

• The Khanekhah Maleknia Naseralishah, named after its Sheikh Pir Malikniya, known as Nasir Ali Shah (d.1998 C.E.).

• The Gonabadi or Bonyad Erfan Gonabadi, centered in Iran in the city of Gonabad, whose primary 20th century shaykh was Sultan Husayn Tabandah.

The last two, like many Qadiri orders, emphasise a way founded upon strict observance of sharia law.^[2]

Activities

The numerous publications of the order include the bi-annual SUFI journal. The Khaniqahi Nimatullahi also publish, in Persian, English and other languages, Dr. Nurbakhsh's seven-volume treatment of the states and stations the Sufi path, his twelve-volume explanation of the meanings of Sufi mystical terminology and his many annotated biographies of the great historic masters of the path. Social activities of the present-day order include the establishment of clinics and medical centers in impoverished regions of West Africa, where the order has attracted numerous adherents.

Bibliography

• Masters of the Path: A History of the Masters of the Nimatullahi Sufi Order by Dr. Javad Nurbakhsh, Khaniqahi Nimatullahi Publications, New York and London, 2nd Edition, 1993, ISBN 0933546033 and ISBN 978-0933546035

• Kings of Love - The History and Poetry of the Ni'matullahi Sufi Order by Nasrollah Pourjavady and Peter Lamborn Wilson, Imperial Iranian Academy of Philosophy, Tehran, 1978, ISBN 0-87773-733-9 and ISBN 0-500-97351-2

References

External links

• The Nimatullahi Sufi Order
• Bonyad Erfan Gonabadi branch
• Information about the Nimatullahi on the website of Dr Alan Godlas

This Islam-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e

This Sufism-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d • e