Shadhili

The Shadhili Order (Arabic: الطريقة الشاذلية) is a tariqah or Sufi order. The Shadhili order was founded by Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili in the 13th century and is followed by millions of people around the world. Many followers (Arabic murids, "seekers") of the Shadhili Order are known as Shadhilis, and a single follower is known as Shadhili.

It has historically been of importance and influence in the Maghreb and Egypt with many contributions to Islamic literature. Among the figures most known for their literary and intellectual contributions are ibn Ata Allah al-Iskandari, author of the Hikam, and Ahmad Zarruq, author of numerous commentaries and works, and Ahmad ibn Ajiba who also wrote numerous commentaries and works.

In poetry expressing love of Muhammad, there have been the notable contributions of Muhammad al-Jazuli, author of the Dala'il al-Khayrat, and al-Busiri, author of the famous poem Al-Burda or "The Celestial Lights in Praise of the Best of Creation". Many of the head lecturers of al-Azhar University in Cairo have also been followers of this tariqa.

Of the various branches of the Shadhili are the Fassiyatush of Imam Fassi, found largely in India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. The Darqawiyya of Muhammad al-Arabi al-Darqawi is found mostly in Morocco, and the Alawi-Darqawiyya of Ahmad al-Alawi, which originated in Algeria, is now found throughout the world, particularly in Syria, Jordan, France, and among many English-speaking communities. British scholar Martin Lings wrote an extensive biography of Ahmad al-Alawi entitled A Moslem Saint of the Twentieth Century.