KHALID, MAULANA

(c. 1778-1826)

Sheikh Maulana Khalid brought the highly influentialNaqshbandi sufiorder toIraqiKurdistan early in the 19th century. He was a Kurd belonging to theJaftribe in Shahrizur and amullainSulaymaniya. Sheikh Abdullah ofNehriinstructed him into theQadiriorder. When he was about 30 years old, however, Mau-lana Khalid traveled to India (a highly unusual action), where he studied in Delhi under Sheikh Abdullah Dihlawi, also known as Shah Ghulam Ali. It proved to be an extremely profound experience.

After Maulana received theijaza, or authorization to transmit the Naqshbanditariqa(school), he returned home and initiated an extraordinary number ofkhalifas. These disciples quickly spread the Naqshbandi order at the expense of the Qadiri order. Maulana claimed knowledge of the future, an ability to protect the living from harm, and the capacity to contact the spirits of the dead. These claims surpassed anything possessed by the Qadiris. Indeed, many Qadiris converted to the Naqshbandi order, including Sheikh Abdullah of Nehri, Maulana's original Qadiri instructor. Maulana remains one of the most revered Kurdish holy men.