Sayyidi Abul Hasan ash-Shadhuli

– Source of Mercy and Spiritual Renewal –

Sayyidi Abul Hasan ash-Shadhuli, born in 593 AH (1196 CE) in Maroc and passed away in 656 AH (1258 CE), was the brother of Sayyidatuna Fatima ash‑Shadhiliyyah – that noble woman who was the mother of Sayyidi Ibrahim al-Qurashiyy ad-Disuqi and Sayyidi Musa Abu al-Umran.

The Path to Knowledge
His spiritual guide was Sayyidi ʿAbd al-Salam ibn Bashish, who gave him the Tariqa covenant and entrusted him with his Aurad (spiritual practice). Sayyidi Abdul Salam had only this one murid (disciple) – yet this single student came to represent an entire nation: for from his lineage emerged the great family of the Shadhuliya, whose spiritual light continues to shine to this day.

Alexandria
After his time with his teacher in Maroc, Sayyidi Abul-Ḥasan spent most of his life in Alexandria. His loyal servant was Sayyidi Abdul Aziz al‑Mukni bi Abi‑l‑Majd, who later married Sayyidatuna Fatimatu ash‑Shadhiliyyah.

Bearer of Mercy
Sayyidi Abul Hasan ash-Shadhuli embodies the mercy of the spiritual path. In deep devotion, he asked Allah to raise even his enemies to the rank of sainthood. From this extraordinary mercy it was said: No one who walks the path can become a complete saint without passing through the station of “Shadhuli.”

The flag of Sayyidi Abul Hasan is yellow – a symbol of inner knowledge and the illumination of the heart.

Appearance and Character
Maulana Sheikh Mohammed Osman described him as tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a beard. In all situations, Sayyidī Abū’l-Ḥasan faced life’s challenges with righteous conduct and a kind countenance. He never fought his enemies with anger, but with dignity, patience, and gentleness – which baffled and unsettled them to the point of despair. For how could an ordinary man act in such a way?

Then Allah spoke to him:
“I now grant you the power of supplication. If you wish, I shall destroy your enemies.”
But Sayyidi Abul Hasan replied:
“If You permit me to ask for something, then I ask that they all become saints.”

Thereupon Allah named him ash-Shadhuli – meaning “the strange one,” the one whose actions are unlike those of ordinary men. And Allah said:
“You are not strange to them – you are strange to Me.”

A Measure of Sainthood
Thus, Sayyidi Abul Hasan ash-Shadhuli became a standard of sanctity:
No one can attain the highest closeness to Allah without passing through this station.

– Mosque in Humaithara / Al Sheikh Al Shazli / Egypt –