Sufi Order

The tariqas, the initiatory lineages that organize Sufi practice around a chain of spiritual transmission from master to disciple: Shadhiliyya, Suhrawardiyya, Khalwatiyya, Nimatullahiyya (Ni'matullahi Order) and Sanusiyya. Belongs here: a lineage defined by silsila, the chain of initiation back to its founding shaykh, that a disciple is formally initiated into. Does not belong here: a Catholic or Buddhist vowed community organized by rule rather than initiatory lineage, grouped under religious order or monastic fraternity instead.