Dr. Abdurahman Baadiyow
This article is dedicated to the esteemed scholars of Islam who belong to the Qaderiya order in the historical Bandir region. It continues our series of short biographies that highlight the lives and contributions of prominent Somalis. Through this series, we aim to shed light on the significant roles these scholars have played in shaping Somalia’s religious, cultural, and social landscape. Their dedication to the Qaderiya order has left a lasting impact on the community, and this article seeks to honor their legacy and inspire future generations with their remarkable achievements and enduring influence.
The Qadiriyya Sufi order was established in Baghdad by Sheikh Abdulqadir al-Jaylani (died in 1166). It entered the western and northern Somali regions in the early 16th century through Abubakr bin Abdullah al-Aydarus (D.,1502) from Hadhramaut in Yemen. Initially, the Qadiriyya order flourished in the historic city of Harar, considered Islam’s capital in the Horn of Africa. From there, it spread through Arab migrants from Yemen to Mogadishu and the surrounding areas. However, the exact time and mechanisms of its spread from there to other parts of Somalia until the 18th century remain unclear.
Oral traditions suggest that Sheikh Abikar Mahdar Ahmed Al-Kasadi is considered the first known scholar of the Qadiriyya order in Banadir. He was titled Sheikh al-Shuyuk (Teacher of Teachers), as he was the mentor of many renowned sheiks in Somali regions, such as Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sufi, Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi, and Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Zayla’i. The records of Sheikh Abikar Mahdar are not well-preserved, but in Warsheikh town, there is an old mosque with an inscription indicating his birth and death dates as 1230-1293 AH (1816-1876). Adjacent to the mosque is a room of Sheikh Abikar’s tomb. It is known that Sheikh Abikar migrated from Mogadishu due to his disdain for the lewd dance rituals known as “Minyas,” which were prevalent in Mogadishu at that time. Sheikh Abikar initially migrated many times to Nimow (a village near Mogadishu) before settling in Warsheikh. The lewd dance rituals were a widespread issue in Mogadishu that scholars attempted to prohibit. Still, their efforts were unsuccessful until Sheik Uways Al-Barawi arrived, who ultimately ended these practices with his wisdom.
Sheikh Abdurahman bin Abdullah Al-Sufi (1829-1904) stands out among the notable sheiks of Bandir. He graduated from the Islamic educational center established by Sheikh Abikar Mahdar in Warsheikh and joined the Qadiriyya and Ahmadiyya orders. Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al-Sufi pledged allegiance to Sheikh Uways Al-Barawi after he resolved the issue of lewd dancing in Mogadishu. After Sheikh Abikar Mahdar’s death, Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Sufi succeeded him, becoming the most prominent scholar in Mogadishu.
Another prominent scholar of the Qadiriyya order in Banadir was Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi (D., 1900). Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi was a fierce critic of Italian colonialism and could not tolerate living in Mogadishu under Italian rule. Therefore, he migrated to Nimow village, 20 km south of Mogadishu, where he established an Islamic educational center called Dar Al-Hijra. However, following the Lafole Somali attack on the expedition into the interior in 1896, which led to the killing of 83 Italian soldiers and officers, the enraged Italians bombarded and destroyed the village of Nimow. Consequently, Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi relocated to Dai Sufi in the more interior regions after accusing him of inciting the killings in Lafole, where he utilized his influence to encourage various tribes to resist the Italians. Sheikh Ahmed also resided for several years in Baramale near Rage-Eele, 100 km from north of Mogadishu, where he founded another educational center.
Baramale became a renowned center for Islamic studies, where many students from the region memorized the Quran. Once the situation became calmer, Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi established his educational center in Warabale, located between Mogadishu and Afgoye. Among his students was Sheikh Ibrahim Ali Gacal (1887-1965), known for his meticulous Islamic preaching programs. Sheikh Ibrahim was one of Sheikh Ahmed Haji Mahdi’s outstanding students and later founded his educational center in Garasbale ( now of the districts of Mogadishu), which operated for nearly 50 years.
The name of the Qadiriyya order in southern Somalia is closely associated with Sheikh Uways Ahmed Al-Barawi (1847-1909), who founded the Uwaysiyya branch of the Qadiriyya. Born in Brava, he was one of the most prominent sheiks and mentors, and he studied under Sheikh Muhammad Zaini Al-Shashi and Sheikh Muhammad Janay Al-Bahlul. Al-Bahlul advised him to travel to Baghdad’s main center of the Qadiriyya order. After performing the Hajj, Sheikh Uways Al-Barawi headed to Baghdad, where he received the Qadiriyya license and mantle from Sheikh Mustafa bin Salman Al-Kilani, the head of the order. Sheikh Mustafa then entrusted Sheikh Uways with the responsibility of spreading the Qadiriyya order in the Horn of Africa. On his way back to Mogadishu in 1882, he passed through the Qadiriyya center in Qulunqul, visited Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Zayla’i, and received his honorary Ijaza. Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Eli, a prominent biographer, mentions that Sheikh Uways had 500 disciples, facilitating his access to influential and wealthy individuals. Al-Eli documented 150 of these disciples by name. Sheikh Uways Al-Barawi was a spiritual leader who appealed to all economic classes, including slaves, traders, men, women, and children.
The spread of the Uwaysiyya Qadiriyya was not limited to Somalia; it extended to East African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique, and Malawi. Sheikh Uways had a close relationship with the Sultan of Zanzibar, Barghash bin Said, who became one of his active disciples, spreading the Qadiriyya order in the coastal cities of East Africa. Among his notable disciples in Somalia were Sheikh Faraj (died 1925), known as “Sufi Barko,” who was the first to succeed Sheikh Uways, and Sheikh Qasim Mohieddin Al-Barawi (1887-1921), a renowned scholar and poet in Brava who authored the famous Qadiriyya collection that included the biographies of both Sheikh Uways and Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Zayla’i.
Another famous Qadiriyya scholar was Sheikh Abdurahman Abdullah Al-Qutbi (1879-1952), an expert in religious principles and philosophy who authored several works, most of which remain unpublished. Sheikh Abdullah Al-Qutbi was born on Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Zayla’i’s death night. His prominent disciples included Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Eli and Sheikh Mahmoud Abgalow. Also renowned among the Qadiriyya scholars was Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Eli, who lived in Warsheikh (1895-1962). A prolific poet, he composed many Qadiriyya poems and authored the significant biography “The Precious Gem.” Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Eli was born near the Islamic educational center in Warsheikh in 1895. He taught the basic principles of Islam alongside Sheikh Muhammad bin Fiqi Yusuf, Sheikh Adan Mahmoud, and Sheikh Muhammad Sheikh Hussein. He received Ijaza from Sufi masters such as Sheikh Abdullah Al-Qutbi, Sheikh Ahmed Malim Osman Al-Ghandarshi, and Sheikh Sharif Hassan Osman.
Sheikh Abdurahman Al-Eli’s historic visit to the tombs of many Qadiriyya scholars in 1960 (1380 AH) highlights the deep-rooted presence of the Qadiriyya in southern Somalia. During this visit, he and his companions visited over 40 tombs of the most important Qadiriyya scholars in the Banadir, Bay, and Bakool regions. The cities visited included Warsheikh, Mogadishu, Balad Al-Amin, Baidoa, Burhakaba, Biyoley, Gandershe, Marka, Jazira, Jawhar, Gololey, Afgooye, and Warabale (near Afgooye). Among these forty tombs, the only woman mentioned was Sheikh Uways’s mother, Fatima bint Bahro.
Among the scholars of Banadir, we also mention jurists renowned for teaching Islamic jurisprudence but not as famous as Sufi scholars. Notably, the distinguished Al-Faqih Al-Din family in Mogadishu has been known for producing jurists and scholars for centuries. During the colonial period, Sheikh Muhammad, Sheikh Muhyiddin, and his brother Sheikh Abikar Sheikh Muhyiddin played significant roles in teaching Islamic jurisprudence, graduating many students from their educational center. The Al-Faqih Al-Din family is significant in the history of Islamic scholarship in Mogadishu. Their contributions to Islamic jurisprudence have been pivotal in the region’s religious and educational landscape. Their efforts ensured that Islamic jurisprudence remained a vital part of the curriculum, and many students who studied under them became prominent figures and jurists.
Dr. Abdurahman Baadiyow
Email: [email protected]
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Dr. Abdurahman Baadiyow is a Professor of Modern Islamic History and a Senior Adviser for the Somali President on Peace and Reconciliation.
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