Shaykh Nazim Adil al-Haqqani is the 40th Leader and Shaykh of the Golden Chain of the Most Distinguished Naqshbandī Ṭarīqah. Born Mehmet Nazim Adil and also known as Muhammad Nazim Al-Hakkani, (April 21, 1922 – May 7, 2014; Sha’ban 23, 1340 AH – Rajab 8, 1435 AH). Renowned for his deep spirituality and global influence, he was affectionately known by many honorifics as Sultan-ul-Awliya.
Born in Larnaca, Cyprus, he carried the title “Kibrisi” (the Cypriot). His lineage traces back to two great Sufi masters: the 11th-century saint Imam Abdul Qadir Jilani through his paternal Grandfather Shaykh Hussein al-Qadiri named as “Yeşilbaş”, and the 13th-century mystic Jalaluddin Rumi through his maternal grandfather Shaykh Kaytazzâde Mehmet Nâzım whom he was named after. Both his maternal and paternal grandfathers were shaykhs in the Qadiri and Mawlawi orders.
From childhood, Shaykh Nazim displayed a strong inclination toward spirituality. While he pursued secular education by day, he studied Islamic sciences, Hadith, Qur’anic exegesis, and jurisprudence at a local school in the evenings. His pursuit of both worldly and spiritual knowledge remained a defining trait throughout his life.
In 1940, at the age of 18, he moved to Istanbul to further his education, joining his siblings there. He enrolled at Istanbul University, where he excelled in chemical engineering. Despite his academic achievements, he later admitted, “I felt no attraction to modern science. My heart was always drawn to the spiritual sciences.”
During his time in Istanbul, he also deepened his religious studies, mastering Arabic and Islamic theology. His spiritual journey took a decisive turn when he started attending gatherings at the Sultan Ahmed Mosque. He was initiated in Naqshbandi Sufism by Sulayman Erzurumi, who eventually directed him to Damascus, Syria, to continue his studies with his destined Sheikh Mawlana Sheikh Abdullah al-Fa’iz ad-Daghestani. He left Istanbul and arrived in Syria in 1944. There, he met the renowned Naqshbandi master, Mawlana Sheikh Abdullah al-Fa’iz ad-Daghestani, at his tekke (spiritual lodge) on the slopes of Jabal Qasioun. Recognizing his innate spiritual gifts, Shaykh Abdullah granted him bay’ah (initiation) into the Naqshbandi Order, and Shaykh Nazim advanced rapidly along the Sufi path.
Shortly after, Mawlana Shaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani instructed him to return to Cyprus to spread the teachings of Sufism. Following the passing of Mawlana Shaykh Abdullah ad-Daghestani in 1973, Shaykh Nazim was appointed his spiritual successor. In 1974, he began to visit Western Europe, traveling every year to London, England. A lot of spiritual seekers joined the way, many of whom converted to Islam after encountering him.
Over the decades, Shaykh Nazim became a globally respected spiritual figure, guiding countless seekers through the path of love, humility, and divine remembrance. His teachings were later compiled into numerous books. Fluent in Turkish, Arabic, English, and Greek, Shaykh Nazim’s influence extended across cultures and continents, making him one of the most prominent Sufi leaders of the modern era.
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