Scheich Muhammad Uthman Abduh al-Burhani
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Be careful from whom you take your religion!”
And he advised Ibn ʿUmar:
“Your religion is your blood and flesh –
take it only from those who are trustworthy.”
Sheikh Mohammed ʿUthman ʿAbduh al‑Burhani, (1902–1983), also known as Fakhr ad-Din, Sheikh Mohammed ʿUthman was a prominent Islamic scholar, spiritual teacher, and reviver of Sufism in the 20th century. His influence extended far beyond Sudan to many parts of the world. He came from a noble family directly descended from the Prophet Mohammed ﷺ and saw his life’s mission as the integration of spiritual education, ethical conduct, and social responsibility.
Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn guides us along the path of spiritual realization. His poetry reveals profound knowledge, nurtured since childhood and generously shared with his students. It is said of him:
“His words are like sweet water for the thirsty,
like light for the seeker.”
Spiritual Orientation
Sheikh Fakhr ad-Din was the carrier and reviver of the Burhaniya–Disuqiyya–Shadhiliya Tariqa, which merges several classical Sufi traditions. His goal was to connect knowledge of God with daily life—within the family, profession, and society. He opened the door for many to embrace the Islamic faith and the inner depth of Sufism.
Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn belonged to the noble line of Ahl al-Bayt. His ancestry traces back to Fatima az-Zahra, the beloved daughter of the Prophet ﷺ. Yet, he never relied solely on his lineage. He lived a life of deep piety, in line with the Prophet’s saying:
“I am the grandfather of every God-conscious person.”
Thus, he united inherited nobility with earned spiritual greatness.
His Path – the Burhaniyya
The Burhāniyya–Disūqiyya–Shādhiliyya Tariqa originates with Sayyidī Ibrāhīm ad-Disūqī. Revived by Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn, he brought it to a flourishing global presence. His spiritual chain (silsila) includes many prominent saints, such as Aḥmad Zarrūq, Abū Muwāhib ash-Shādhilī, and ultimately Abū al-Ḥasan ash-Shādhilī—a lineage uniting the spiritual wisdom of the great Sufi traditions.
His Mission
Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn renewed the Sufi path not only in Sudan, but worldwide. He organized regular spiritual gatherings, emphasized the connection between faith and everyday life, and called for righteousness in both family and society. Especially the youth benefited from his spiritual guidance.
In one of his most well-known poems, he wrote:
“I travelled through East and West,
sowed my seeds in foreign lands…
And hearts that once knew no Creator
became believers in Divine Oneness by God’s grace.”
His Scholarship
Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn was a reformer of religious learning, with profound knowledge in Qur’an, Hadith, philosophy, medicine, and genealogy. Among his listeners were leading scholars, such as Dr. Abdel Halim Mahmoud, Grand Imam of al-Azhar, Dr. Ṭāhā Ḥusayn, renowned writer and academic, who once said:
“I heard he was like an open book –
but when I sat with him, I found a walking library.”
Educational Impact
For decades, Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn taught daily in areas such as Islamic jurisprudence, Qur’anic interpretation, Hadith, ethics, and even in natural and medical sciences. His intellectual breadth attracted leading thinkers of his time—including Azhar’s Grand Imam and literary figures like Dr. Ṭāhā Ḥusayn.
Writings and Legacy
- “Taṭhīr adh-Dhimma” – A spiritual guide distilled from over 200 classical Sufi works.
- “The Victory of God’s Friends” – On the roles of Ahl al-Bayt, the Companions, Dhikr, and the balanced understanding of Sunnah and innovation (bidʿa).
- “Sharāb al-Waṣl” – A collection of spiritually infused poems.
- ‘Ilmū ‘annī” series – Transcribed records of his daily teaching sessions.
His Passing
On April 4, 1983 (21 Jumādā al-Thāniyah 1403 AH), Sheikh Fakhr ad-Dīn returned to his Lord. Yet his light continues to shine—through his works, his students, and his successor:
Sheikh Ibrāhīm Sheikh Mohammed ʿUthmān ʿAbduh al-Burhānī, who carries forward his spiritual legacy.
Sheikh Mohammed Osman Abduh al-Burhani and his son, Sheikh Ibrahim
