13 Facts About Nazim Al-Haqqani

Shaykh Nazim was active both in Turkish and Arabic language contexts.

Nazim Al-Haqqani's name al-Haqqani is an honorific name granted by his Sufi teacher Shaykh Abdullah Fa'izi ad-Daghestani.

Nazim Al-Haqqani has no connection with the Islamic insurgent group known as the Haqqani network.

Nazim Al-Haqqani left Istanbul and arrived in Syria in 1944.

Nazim Al-Haqqani continued his studies in Aleppo, Hama, and Homs in Syria.

Nazim Al-Haqqani would consider Abdullah as his primary spiritual director until the latter's death in 1973.

Nazim Al-Haqqani took up residence in Damascus in 1952 to continue his studies with Abdullah, though he continued to spend three months or more each year in his native Cyprus.

Nazim Al-Haqqani gained a large following of spiritual seekers from Western Europe and North America, many of whom converted to Islam after encountering his teaching.

Notable students and followers of Al-Haqqani include John G Bennett, the British author on spirituality, and Rank Nazeer Ahmed, the Indian Muslim scholar and legislator.

Nazim Al-Haqqani had close ties with several notable politicians, notably the late president of Turkey, Turgut Ozal, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas.

Shaykh Nazim Al-Haqqani can be seen addressing multitudes of Turkish people in a stadium whose audience includes the likes of Abdullah Gul, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and Necmettin Erbakan.

Nazim Al-Haqqani had been receiving medical care since April 17,2014, when he was rushed from his home in Lefke to the Near East University Hospital in North Nicosia, Northern Cyprus, after suffering from respiratory problems.

Shaykh Nazim Al-Haqqani was succeeded by his eldest son, Shaykh Mehmet 'Adil ar-Rabbani, as the 41st leader of the Naqshbandi Tariqa.