Lineage

Credit: Siyer-i Nebi, Istanbul, 1595

Since the beginning of human history, while others wandered in forgetfulness, certain souls have remembered their origin and destination and pursued the royal road that leads to God. As prophets revealed the Divine message in successive eras, these seekers found confirmation of their longing for the Divine presence and illumination on their path.

The prophet Abraham shaped for them a tradition, and for their guidance the prophet Muhammad commenced a line of spiritual transmission. Foremost among the prophet Muhammad’s spiritual successors were Hazrat ‘Ali and Hazrat Abu Bakr, and from both descended lineages destined to illuminate the world with beauty and truth. These lineages were carried on from living heart to living heart in unbroken succession down the ages.

Sometimes more than one disciple was blessed to succeed a master, and so the lineage grew like a tree. Not only did branches split off; at times they rejoined, as when a master received the transmission of more than one preceding master.

Below are links to pages tracing Hazrat Inayat Khan’s predecessors in the Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri, and Naqshbandi lines, and reviewing the lives of some of those who came before and after him.

Amir Khusraw

Lineage

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