Atlas
About this atlas
The atlas holds the chains of transmission from the Prophet as the standard references and the classical sources record them: the Sufi orders, the chains of Qurʾān recitation, the teachers of the schools of law and ḥadīth, and the lines of the Prophet's family, with the places they spread and the living houses and teachers who carry them today. Every link shows its sources; where they differ, both readings are shown, and we do not rule on any community's claims. Ibn ʿArabī's own life, teachers and readers are on their own page.
أحمد السرهندي
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)
Died 1034/1624 · born 971/1564 · Sirhind
Founder of the Mujaddidiyya
Sources for this person
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi (2 entries)
The chain up to the Prophet
Dates are given where the sources give them. Years are CE; the Hijri year is in each name's detail.
Route 1 of 6, the best-sourced: Naqshbandiyya. Tap a rule to read its basis, sources and checks.
Sources differ on 11 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesin Naqshbandiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
Other routes (5)
Route 2 of 6: Naqshbandiyya
Sources differ on 10 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesin Naqshbandiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
Route 3 of 6: Naqshbandiyya
Sources differ on 9 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesin Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesin Naqshbandiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
Route 4 of 6: Suhrawardiyya
Sources differ on 9 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
Route 5 of 6: Suhrawardiyya
Sources differ on 10 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
Route 6 of 6: Suhrawardiyya
Sources differ on 8 links of this route.
- The Prophet Muhammadمحمد632
- Darwīsh Muḥammadدرويش محمد
two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Darwīsh Muḥammad to Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī · Two independent sources
Order's own chain.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesKhwājagī Muḥammad Amkanagī is son and disciple of Darvīsh.
Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakīمحمد خواجه الأمكنكيtwo sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyya
initiation · Muḥammad Khwāja al-Amkanakī to Bāqī-Billāh · Two independent sources
Order's own chain; TDV says Bāqī-Billāh spread the order in India.
the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesBāqībellāh formally initiated by Amkanagī, then sent as khalifa to India; also claims spiritual initiation from Naqshband.
Bāqī-Billāhالباقي بالله1603two sourcesthis step is recorded in Naqshbandiyya, not in Suhrawardiyyasources differ
initiation · Bāqī-Billāh to Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) · Two independent sources
Sirhindī met Bāqī-Billāh in Delhi after 1007/1598 and became his most important khalifa.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)Checked against
- Encyclopaedia Iranica, 'BĀQĪBELLĀH NAQŠBANDĪ' (Johan ter Haar), Vol. III, Fasc. 7, pp. 728-729 · agreesAḥmad Serhendī is described as Bāqībellāh's disciple.
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, p. 95 n. 41 · silentBuehler notes Sirhindī called himself an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87); this does not address the link to Bāqī Billāh.
Where the sources differ, side by side. We do not rule between them.
- Buehler: Sirhindī denied Uways ṣuḥba with the Prophet (Maktūbāt 1.58.35) yet identifies himself as an Uwaysī (Maktūbāt 3.87).Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 4, pp. 88, 90 n. 28
Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)أحمد السرهندي1624
How to read the marks
- Two sources: a solid rule. Two independent references give the same link.
- One source: a lighter rule, so labelled.
- The community's own account: a dotted rule. The order tells it; we have not yet read it against a reference source.
- A gap in the rule: the sources omit names between the two. The label says which.
- The sources differ: tap the ≠ to read each reading with its source.
- A ring: a spiritual link, without a meeting (uwaysī).
Who received from Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)
1 recorded, each with the chain set it belongs to.
- Muḥammad Maʿṣūmمحمد معصوم1668
one sourcein Naqshbandiyya
initiation · Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī) to Muḥammad Maʿṣūm · One source
Muḥammad Maʿṣūm (d. 1079/1668), Sirhindī's son, was the most influential of his four sons; the order's chain continues through him.
TDV İslâm Ansiklopedisi, 'İmâm-ı Rabbânî' (incl. Bâkī-Billâh)the community's own account: naqshbandi.org, 'Origins' (Naqshbandi Haqqani Order's own golden chain)Checked against
- Arthur F. Buehler, Sufi Heirs of the Prophet (Univ. of South Carolina Press, 1998), ch. 3, pp. 69-70; ch. 3, p. 76 fig. 3 · agreesMaʿṣūm is Sirhindī's son and successor; Figure 3 (Mujaddidī genealogy) places him under Sirhindī.
How to cite
Mashraba Reader, Atlas of transmission, “Aḥmad Sirhindī (Imām-i Rabbānī)”, https://www.mashraba.org/atlas/figure/ahmad-sirhindi (data of 31 October 2026).