Sheikh Muhammad Usman Sirajuddin شیخ محمد عثمان سراج الدین کی سوانح عمری اور ان کے مزار کی تاریخ

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Biography of Sheikh Muhammad Usman Sirajuddin and the history of his shrine

Dekhti Aankhooon aur sountay kaanoon ko Asslamoalaikum, sisters, brothers friends and elders, in informative series videos of Islamic ascolars, sufisaints, cultural heritages, islamic philosophys, islamic mysticisms and historical figures. today we are describing biography of Sheikh Muhammad Usman Sirajuddin and the history of his shrine.

Sheikh Muhammad Usman Sirajuddin , was a towering figure in 18th and 19th-century Sufism and Islamic scholarship, born in 1781 CE (1195 AH) in the village of Tawella—part of the Ottoman Empire, now in Iraqi Kurdistan. Hailing from the noble Sheikhs of Tavil—a family revered for their deep Islamic heritage and lineage tracing back to ?asan and ?usayn, the grandsons of Prophet Mu?ammad—Uthman embodied both scholarly rigor and spiritual nobility. From a young age, he distinguished himself through memorizing the Qur’?n and mastering Islamic sciences, particularly at religious institutions in Khurmal, Kharabani, Sulayman?yah, and Baghdad’s celebrated Madrasa of Abd alQadir alGelani.

He came under the spiritual guidance of Mawlana Khalid al Baghdad—the prominent founder of the Khalidiyya sub?branch of the Naqshbandiyya order—during Khalid’s 1811 sojourn in Baghdad, after which Uthman was entrusted as Khalid’s first caliph at age 33. Their bond was profound: Mawlana Khalid reportedly declared, “I planted and Uthman sowed,” underscoring Uthman’s pivotal role in establishing and broadening the Khalidiyya lineage. Returning to Tawella, Sheikh Uthman founded a burgeoning spiritual center. Over the decades, this became a major hub for Naqshbandi teachings across the Ottomans and Persia, attracting seekers from multiple faiths—some reportedly even spontaneously embracing Islam under his gentle guidance.

Contemporaneous accounts describe Sheikh Uthman as “mostly intoxication and majesty,” a testament to his spiritual intensity and visible miracles. Both ordinary folk and the elite testified to his sanctity and deep compassion. His influence spanned well beyond Tawella, drawing a network of disciples, deputies, and caliphs throughout the Middle East. Thoughtful anecdotal accounts, including a quote from Haydari, relay that Jews and Christians were drawn into the spiritual circle, earned mystical states, and were moved by his loving attention—a rare display of interfaith spiritual magnetism.

Sheikh Uthman’s earthly journey concluded on the evening of 6 Shawwal 1283 AH (1867 CE), at the age of eighty-eight, in his beloved home of Tawella, where he was laid to rest beside his house in a garden—a location befitting his noble life. The simple yet sacred burial site served as the nucleus of the shrine: a humble garden tomb constructed by his devoted followers and family. Over time, it grew into a revered ziy?rah (visitation) spot, drawing pilgrims from across Kurdistan and lands beyond. Adjacent to his burial spot, the preservation of his shrine and the establishment of surrounding lodges—such as Bah?kon, Tebekel, and Gulp, namesake of his descendants—testify to the enduring vitality of his teachings and the House of Tavil’s role as spiritual nurturers in the region.

The shrine today remains in Tawella, surrounded by mountains and bearing the spiritual aura that Sheikh Uthman cultivated. The garden-tomb is modest yet poignant, embodying the life of the “planting” saint who sowed seeds of divine love and wisdom. Pilgrims pause at the green?domed sepulcher, reflecting on how his presence once illuminated those mountainous valleys—with voices raising the Quranic verses he cherished and hearts resonating with Sufi litanies he so passionately espoused.

Beyond physical reverence, Sheikh Uthman’s legacy permeates through the Khalidi Naqshband? spiritual lineage. His descendants and former students—some documented in the respected TDV ?slâm Ansiklopedisi and works like *Biographical Encyclopedia of Sufis*—continued to lead, teach, and inspire within the Naqshbandi-Qadiri framework. Schools, zawiyas, and Sufi poetry originating from his lineage flourished, especially during the first half of the 20th century. His spiritual progeny, including his son Sheikh Ahmad Shams ud Din alTavili—who erected the Ahmedâvâ Lodge—continued to expand the family’s spiritual and moral influence deep into the next century.

In sum, Sheikh Uthman Siraj ud Din alNaqshbandi lived a life steeped in Qur’?nic devotion, ethical teaching, and transformative spiritual leadership. His biography is a study in sincerity—rooted equally in scholarly excellence and heartfelt piety. Born into noble lineage in Tawella in 1781, growing under the tutelage of Mawl?n? Khalid, and returning to his village to sow the seeds of the Naqshbandiyya order, he became a major spiritual luminary. Passing in 1867, his shrine remains in Tawella—a modest garden grave built by devotees and family—a living testament to a man whose presence continues to guide hearts toward divine presence.

With this, we ask for your permission until tomorrow and pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability to act on the Quran and Hadith, Amen

Allah Hafiz

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